President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized the need for more robust, inclusive, and humane financing mechanisms to accelerate development in emerging economies. The Malawian leader made these remarks on Sunday during the second-day plenary session of the Summit of the Future, held under the theme “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.”
Addressing the global gathering, President Chakwera highlighted the urgency of adopting innovative strategies to ensure sustainable development, particularly for young people and future generations. “This Summit of the Future is not about us but about the next generation and their children,” he stated, urging leaders to avoid allowing historical prejudices and current conflicts to shape the future. “We must make this pact of the future without rigging it with the prejudices of yesterday and the conflicts of today.”
A key point in his address was the need to shift the focus from aid dependency toward self-sufficiency through robust private sector engagement. Chakwera emphasized the importance of nurturing entrepreneurship among young people and empowering them through local industries. “We must nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of young people by empowering them with local industries,” he said.
Despite his optimistic outlook, the President expressed concern over the ongoing global conflicts that remain unresolved. He called for a return to a rules-based approach to peace, stating that the current multilateral system has proven inadequate in addressing such conflicts. According to Chakwera, peaceful resolutions to disputes should be prioritized to ensure a stable future.
Additionally, President Chakwera acknowledged the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving productivity and decision-making. However, he noted that Least Developed Countries (LDCs), like Malawi, face significant challenges in keeping up with rapid technological advancements. “It is imperative that the global community makes deliberate efforts to enhance the capacity of LDCs to bridge the digital divide,” he urged, emphasizing the need for international support in building technological resilience.
The Summit of the Future, taking place in New York, brings together global leaders and development actors to discuss innovative strategies aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. It offers a platform for amplifying ideas that could propel countries towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
As the summit continues, President Chakwera’s call for a more inclusive and forward-looking approach resonates with global efforts to tackle inequality and promote long-term development.
