(English) Economy and ecology: Rajoelina sets priorities at UN

Miala tsiny fa tsy mbola misy amin’ny teny malagasy ity lahatsoratra ity.

Malagasy President Andriy Rajoelina used his speech to the UN General Assembly to focus on the Malagasy economy, and its environment, noting both require and deserve help from beyond the Malagasy borders.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday (24^th September) Rajoelina said the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a deal with sub-Saharan African states which has run for the last 25 years, and ends on Tuesday (30^th September), must be renewed or ‘serious social consequences’ could result across Africa.

The deal offers states including Madagascar access to American markets on preferential bases, including duty-free access, and at least 358,000 African jobs directly rely upon it. Madagascar and some other states, including Lesotho, have built industry on the deal’s proponents, but it has come under attack because of the Trump administration’s imposition of high tariffs on states around the world.

Rajoelina promised the Assembly that Madagascar will: ‘Accelerate the energy transition to reach 70 per cent green energy production by 2028, tapping our massive solar, wind and hydroelectric capacity.’

At present, 90 per cent of Malagasy people live on or below the global poverty baseline of £2.22 per day, and just 30 per cent of the country’s 32 million people have electricity.

But Rajoelina said: ‘From the East to West, North to South, Madagascar is transforming.’

He noted that Madagascar is a ‘sanctuary of nature’ which is facing climate hazards and deforestation, noting:

‘Cyclones are increasingly frequent and devastating while floods destroy fields and threaten farmers’ harvests and incomes. Polluting countries must take responsibility, and promised financing for adaptation must be delivered.’

We at Money for Madagascar are working directly with Malagasy communities, providing them the platform from which to define the challenges which face them, and formulate and deliver the solutions to them. We help enable Malagasy people to lift themselves from poverty, reduce the impacts of climate catastrophe, and protect and expand the vital, vibrant, Malagasy wilderness.

Find out more about how we do this, here.