Holy See: Support for African countries must address structural obstacles to development

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

Support for African countries must extend beyond short-term measures and support long-term development in order to address the causes of poverty, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations said in a statement released on July 8, 2026.

“Poverty, especially extreme poverty, is the most significant global challenge,” the statement said.

“Its persistence in its many dimensions continues to deprive millions – especially women and children – of access to adequate food, clean water, healthcare, education and decent work. Poverty constitutes a grave affront to the inherent God-given dignity of the human person.”

The statement was given at the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York in the session dedicated to accelerating sustainable development goal (SDG) achievement in least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and middle-income countries (MICs) in the African continent.

Address structural obstacles that hinder development

The Permanent Observer Mission highlighted that as the deadline nears of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – a plan of action adopted by the United Nations to try and eradicate poverty, promote peace and protect the planet – “it is critical that the international community takes action to address the challenges hindering progress in development.”

In this regard, the statement emphasized that “renewed and strengthened support for African countries, LDCs, LLDCs and MICs is essential.”

This support should “address the structural obstacles that hinder sustainable development” and this includes “enhancing access to concessional financing, promoting fairer trade systems, facilitating the transfer of technology, and advancing meaningful debt relief.”

The Permanent Observer Mission also noted that to accelerate this progress it is important to pay attention to the “unique vulnerabilities” that each country faces while keeping in mind that “geographic constraints, climate change, and limited infrastructure are exacerbating inequalities for many.”   

The vital role of the family

The Permanent Observer Mission also insisted on the “vital role of the family as the fundamental unity of society, a ‘primary social good,’ and a crucial source of resilience.”

The statement explained that policies that strengthen families contribute to eradicating poverty and promoting social stability and integral development.

“Investing in and promoting such policies at both national and international level is essential for ensuring the flourishing of all people, eradicating poverty and achieving integral human development,” the message concluded.