Statement by
H.E. Mr. Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN
High Level Meeting on New Partnership for Africa’s Development
11 October 2011
Thank you, Mr. President.
The great Rabbi Hillel once declared, “If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” As we take up this important debate, I am reminded of his famous words.
At this critical moment, the international community must move forward with the urgency of Rabbi Hillel’s call, actively partnering with NEPAD to build a brighter future for the African continent.
Today Africa stands at a turning point. Significant progress has been made in the Continent’s development. However, while we see the promise of great opportunities on the horizon, the challenges of the present endure. We continue to witness draught and famine; hunger and poverty; conflict and instability. All of these remain significant obstacles to unlocking the vast potential of Africa and its people.
Mr. President,
My country has been deeply engaged in African development for more than five decades. In 1958, Golda Meir, then serving as Israel’s Foreign Minister, undertook a historic visit to the newly independent states of Africa. She saw firsthand that many of these countries faced similar development challenges as Israel, like difficult climate and poor farming conditions.
Golda Meir resolved to share Israel’s growing expertise, driven by her Zionist values and the spirit of what we call Tikkun Olam, the Jewish principle that calls on us to “mend the world” and make it a better place. At that time, Israel was in its infancy. We were a developing nation facing a range of overwhelming challenges. Yet, she saw assistance to the newly independent nations of Africa as an imperative.
She said, “Like them, we had shaken off foreign rule; like them, we had to learn for ourselves how to reclaim the land, how to increase the yields of our crops, how to irrigate, how to live together, and how to defend ourselves.”
Thousands of Israeli experts of every sort – scientists, doctors, engineers, teachers, and irrigation experts – set out for the continent. Among them were my parents, who brought me with them. As a young child in what was then Tanganyika I remember vividly how Israelis worked hand-in-hand with their African counterparts to share our knowledge. They worked together on the ground – out on the fields of farms, in the halls of schools, and in the corridors of hospitals.
The connections that were forged in those days have blossomed into an extensive program of cooperation, which is overseen by MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Cooperation.
This program has expanded as Israel has advanced on its own journey from a developing nation to a member of the OECD. In Israel, we have transitioned from growing oranges, to producing Orange mobile phones; from cultivating apples to designing Apple Computers.
Allow me to highlight a few examples of Israel’s development cooperation in Africa today.
In Ghana, Israel administers a network of community-based pre-natal and healthy-baby clinics, known as Tipat Chalav, which is Hebrew for “drop of milk.” Initially developed for mothers and children in Israel, these clinics have proven highly effective in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health in Ghana.
Israel has focused extensively on education in Africa. In 2010 alone, MASHAV trained more 1200 people from more than 35 African countries, both in Israel and in their own countries. We are also providing support for UN educational programs, such as UNESCO’s teacher training initiative for sub-Saharan Africa.
Israel continues to provide immediate relief for African nations following major crises, such as the acute humanitarian situation now facing the Horn of Africa. In response to this crisis, Israel contributed to the World Food Program, supporting the delivery of food packages to Somali refugees in Kenya. We have also donated funds to the Ethiopian Government, which have been used to purchase locally-produced food aid for Somali refugees there. To address the long-term challenges posed by the draught, MASHAV continues to expand its programs that have a specific focus on agriculture and food production.
For example, today Israel is partnering with Ghana and Germany to improve the efficiency of smallholder Ghanaian citrus farmers. This project combines agricultural assistance, capacity building, and elements of microfinance and microcredit.
Another highly successful Israeli project is known as TIPA: Techno-agricultural Innovation for Poverty Alleviation. It has been implemented in a number of African countries, including as part of a triangular partnership with Italy in Senegal. TIPA relies on relatively simple and low-cost drip irrigation techniques that allow farmers to produce crops year-round and improve the quality of their fruits and vegetables.
The results of this project speak for themselves. Farmers have moved from poverty to self-sufficiency. Hunger has been drastically reduced in many communities. Rural women have found new opportunities for empowerment.
Projects like TIPA highlight the importance of sharing agricultural technology to promote sustainable development. To bring focus to this effort, Israel will be submitting its biannual “Agricultural Technology for Development” Resolution to the Second Committee this year.
Mr. President,
NEPAD has served as an invaluable framework for advancing major goals on the African continent, spurring important progress. African nations have primary responsibility for their social and economic development. Yet, the international community must support and facilitate these efforts, driven by our common destiny and common humanity.
As we take in the encouraging progress that has been made and resolve to meet the challenges ahead, let us be big in our dreams and bold in our actions.
Golda Meir’s clear vision of the fundamental connection between the People of Israel and the People of Africa endures. In the same spirit as the early Zionist pioneers who left their newly reborn nation to help plant the seeds of new nations in Africa, Israelis continue to stand with our brothers and sisters on the continent as they seize the promise of new opportunities.
In Hebrew we say “Hineni” – “Here I am.” On Africa’s journey towards growth and prosperity, Israel is here – as a supporter, as a partner and as a friend.
Thank you.