STORY: African countries urged to break dependence on raw minerals export
SHOOTING TIME: June 4, 2024
DATELINE: June 6, 2024
LENGTH: 0:02:14
LOCATION: Addis Ababa
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the event
2. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO PEDRO, Deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
3. various of the event

STORYLINE:

UN officials have called for breaking the excessive dependence of African countries on the export of their raw mineral resources.

The call was made Tuesday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 60th anniversary pre-event themed "Maximizing Africa's potential: Leveraging demand for critical minerals to boost inclusive growth and sustainable development."

Speaking at the event, Antonio Pedro, deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), urged African countries to export processed minerals to maximize their benefits including economic diversification and job creation.

SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO PEDRO, Deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
"Initiatives like this put mineral-producing countries in the drivers' seat, focusing on issues such as value-chain development, industrialization, inclusion of local and indigenous communities, and environmental protection.
Whilst estimates vary for the world to transition to renewable energy production and storage, and achieve these sustainable development goals, we'll collectively need up to a six-fold increase in lithium and graphite, the three-fold increase in cobalt, doubling in nickel and other minerals by 2035."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Addis Ababa.
(XHTV)