Malabo, Equatorial Guinea -  The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah says effective policies implementation and initiative-taking are important tools in addressing the numerous challenges the African Continent currently faces.

Addressing a Summit of the African Union (AU) Friday, May 27, 2022, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, President Weah called on his colleagues to consider prioritizing the involvement of relevant regional and continental institutions, as well as development partners, in tackling devastating situations facing the Continent.

The President acknowledged the fact that the African Continent continues to face some of the most complex humanitarian emergencies caused by natural and human-induced disasters.

According to him, most of the situations are driven by terrorism, insurgencies and civil conflicts, leading to mass displacements both within and across national borders.

“These predicaments have exponentially increased humanitarian needs over the years among the most vulnerable populations, who are already confronted with multiple risk factors of conflict and environment degradation, among others,” the President noted, adding that these risk factors have exacerbated the philanthropic needs of the Continent with more than 114 million of Africans in the fifteen most affected countries requiring urgent assistance.

President Weah told his colleagues that financing response plans have been severely underfunded to cope with the current challenges, stressing that “the funding gap between available income and expected expenditures remains exceedingly large.”

“If we are to address the potential drivers of conflicts and climate change to confront the current humanitarian challenges, we must implement inclusive and initiative-taking policies in concert with the relevant regional and continental institutions, as well as our development partners,” he rallied African leaders.

Dr. Weah also expressed strong conviction in Africa’s ability to build what he terms ‘resilience policies and responses through regionalism and linkages across borders.’

He said the greater action taken on regional and intergovernmental agreements will herald greater pliability in addressing the issues of conflicts and climate change.

With the guidance and commitment of Member States, the President is convinced that they can implement timely measures to ensure that no person, community, or nation is left behind in areas affected by conflict and climate change.

President Weah pledged that Liberia would play a significant role in the affairs and structures of AU in line with the flagship national development plan, the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, which he said is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

He also urged the Summit to continue to dialogue as a way of mitigating crises in the African Region.

He reminded the Union not to forget the crisis between Ukraine and Russia, which he maintained has a negative impact on global trade and world economies.

The President thanked Mr. Teodore Obiang Nguema MBASOGO, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, for the hospitality accorded him and his delegation.

He also thanked Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, for his preference as Chairperson of the African Union, noting that his decision to convene the Sessions was timely and welcoming.