Global leaders call for more action to develop Africa

World leaders have called for more support towards the development of Africa, warning that rich nations cannot afford to ignore the continent as that would have consequences on their own borders.

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta were among the global leaders who made the call on Wednesday in Brussels, Belgium during the opening ceremony of the European Development Days (EDD) Summit.

“We need better links between development and humanitarian relief,” said Ban.

He said the world should move from managing crises to preventing them and further urged change in people’s lives by “moving from delivering aid to ending need”.

On his part, Kenyatta said the continent needs support to foster trade and investment.

He added that Africa is poised to tackle many of the challenges it faces, including insecurity in some parts.

This year’s summit is being held amid tight security due to the threat of terror which recently hit the European capital.

Pilirani Khoza, 24, founding member of Bunda Students Organisation working in raising support for fellow needy students, is one of Malawi’s representatives at the summit and welcomed the call by the world leaders.

She said more efforts in particular should be undertaken in fighting malnutrition in poor countries like Malawi and said youths should be allowed to take a central role.

EDD Summit is Europe’s leading forum on development and international cooperation.