As COVID-19 spreads across the continent, Africa has responded swiftly to the pandemic, and as of now reported cases are lower than feared. Even so, much hangs in the balance.
In recent years Africans have done much to advance the well-being of the continent’s people. Economic growth has been strong. The digital revolution has taken hold. A free trade area has been agreed.
But the pandemic threatens African progress. It will aggravate long-standing inequalities and heighten hunger, malnutrition and vulnerability to disease. Already, demand for Africa’s commodities, tourism and remittances are declining. The opening of the trade zone has been pushed back – and millions could be pushed into extreme poverty.
I commend what African countries have done already, together with the African Union.
我赞扬非洲国家与非洲联盟一起共同取得成就。
Most have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers, and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures.
大多数国家都迅速采取了行动，深化区域协调，调动医务人员，实施检疫隔离、封闭和关闭边境等措施。
They are also drawing on the experience of HIV/AIDS and Ebola to debunk rumours and overcome mistrust of government, security forces and health workers.
I express my total solidarity with the people and governments of Africa in tackling COVID-19.
我对非洲人民和非洲各国应对新型冠状病毒病的努力表示全力声援。
United Nations agencies, country teams, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian workers are providing support.
联合国机构、国家工作队、维和行动和人道主义工作者都在提供支持。
United Nations solidarity flights have delivered millions of test kits, respirators and other supplies, reaching almost the entire continent.
联合国援助航班已运送数百万个测试包、呼吸器和其他物资，几乎遍及整个非洲大陆。
The policy brief we are issuing today highlights a spectrum of urgent challenges.
我们今天发布的政策简报将重点阐明一系列紧迫挑战。
We are calling for international action to strengthen Africa’s health systems, maintain food supplies, avoid a financial crisis, support education, protect jobs, keep households and businesses afloat, and cushion the continent against lost income and export earnings.
African countries should also have quick, equal and affordable access to any eventual vaccine and treatment, that must be considered global public goods.
I have been calling for a global response package amounting to at least 10 per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product. For Africa, that means more than $200 billion as additional support from the international community.
I also continue to advocate a comprehensive debt framework -- starting with an across-the-board debt standstill for countries unable to service their debt, followed by targeted debt relief and a comprehensive approach to structural issues in the international debt architecture to prevent defaults.
It will also be essential for African countries to sustain their efforts to silence the guns and address violent extremism – and I welcome African support for my call for a global ceasefire. Political processes and elections in the coming months offer potential milestones for stability and peace.
Women will be central to every aspect of the response. Stimulus packages must prioritize putting cash in the hands of women and increasing social protection.
妇女将处于抗疫举措的核心位置。刺激计划必须优先向妇女发放现金和增加社会保障。
We must empower African youth. The human rights of all must be respected.
我们必须增强非洲青年的权能。所有人的人权都必须得到尊重。
Many difficult decisions will need to be taken as the pandemic unfolds, and it will be essential to retain the trust and participation of citizens throughout.
These are still early days for the pandemic in Africa, and disruption could escalate quickly. Global solidarity with Africa is an imperative – now and for recovering better.
现在仍是非洲抗疫的早期阶段，破坏可能迅速升级。此时此刻，全球务必与非洲团结一致，并争取恢复得更好。
Ending the pandemic in Africa is essential for ending it across the world.