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Developing countries need $4.3trn to realise SDGs –ECOSOC

The President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Mr Munir Akram, has said that developing countries require need 4.3 trillion dollars to realise the 17 objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Akram spoke on Friday at the UN headquarters in New York at a high level meeting of ECOSOC.
He said developing countries would need the 4.3 trillion to recover from the crises caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
ECOSOC is one of the six main organs of the UN and the pandemic is unfolding during its 75th anniversary.
The organ promotes collective action for a sustainable world.
The meeting was held one day after the conclusion of its annual High Level Political Forum (HLPF) to review progress towards achieving the SDGs.
The ECOSOC president said ensuring COVID-19 vaccines for all would be critical if the world was to defeat the disease.
“COVID-19 vaccines for all will be critical if the world is to defeat the pandemic,’’ he said.
Reflecting on the past year, Akram recalled how the council responded to the crisis, as well as climate and development challenges, including through drawing attention to the special needs of the world’s least developed nations.
He urged countries to build on the convergence and consensus achieved in order to confront major tasks ahead, starting with ensuring that everyone, everywhere, is protected against the virus.
“Universal and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines is essential to defeat the virus and to revive global trade, investment and growth.
“We have agreed on what needs to be done. We must now do it,” he said.
Akram welcomed plans to create 650 billion dollars in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a type of reserve foreign asset developed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among other debt relief initiatives.
On climate change, he highlighted the critical need for developed countries to fulfill their commitment to provide 100 billion dollars annually in climate finance.
“Scaled-up investment in sustainable infrastructure, an estimated requirement of one trillion dollars per year, is essential also for the transition to a dynamic ‘green’ global economy,” he said.
He also called for action plans for job creation in sectors such as construction, renewable energy, transport and housing.
The ECOSOC President urged the international community to combat rising poverty and hunger through measures that include social protection and relief programmes.
Greater access to advanced technologies and innovations, particularly digital technologies, is another priority, as they are vital to achieving the SDGs and climate goals.
Akram also stressed the need to mobilise the political will to address structural and systemic barriers to equitable growth and development, namely unequal financial, tax and trade regimes. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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