Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has emphasised that Africa holds key solutions to many of the world’s pressing challenges, particularly climate change and sustainable development. He made the remarks on Thursday at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, themed “Unlocking Imo’s Economic Potential: Partnership, Investment, and Innovation.”

Ban recalled his previous visits to Nigeria and contrasted Africa’s struggles with other nations’ post-conflict recovery. “My visit to Imo State today reminds me of enormous sufferings and difficulties that African people… should have overcome because of colonisation and subsequent war, as the Korean people did,” he said.

He stressed that the world cannot achieve true sustainability without addressing Africa’s unique challenges and highlighted his continued advocacy for climate adaptation and resilience across the continent. “Africa today holds the keys to unlocking so many solutions to current global challenges… including climate change and the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Ban noted.

The former South Korean foreign minister warned that global political leaders must accelerate climate commitments and emission reductions to avert worsening consequences, highlighting Africa’s vulnerability. “Although 54 African countries contribute only 4 per cent of global emissions, they remain among the worst affected by climate disasters,” he said.

Dignitaries at the summit included Vice President Kashim Shettima, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, former President of Mauritius Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, and Minister of Finance Wale Edun. Ban urged nations to honour the Paris Agreement and prioritise climate action, warning that time to prevent irreversible damage is running out.