Private sector key to global growth, market links

"Our future will be shaped by how we address the great opportunities for economic growth across Africa and connect stronger international trade with the rest of the global markets," Diaz said during the Leaders’ Summit and UN roundtable meetings held on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.

Diaz, a leading voice in the global business community, struck an optimistic tone about the role of the private sector investments in tackling interconnected global business, sustainable projects, improved food security and the rapid rise of new  technology solutions across the business investments.

"Private sector leaders will drive investment, new technology and growth of global GDP and a bigger focus of integration of growth of Africa business with new global markets.

"Private sector business investment is creating new employment, entrepreneurship, development, green business, greater sustainability, gender diversity and reducing poverty, by enhancing intra Africa trade and international trade, manufacturing and globalization."

Diaz singled out the aviation industry as both a major contributor to global interconnectivity creating prosperity for all markets and a critical front in the fight against climate change.

The transport sector contributes trillions of dollars to global GDP annually and supports hundreds of millions of jobs worldwide.

"We need to decarbonize and reduce emissions by over 60 percent into the environment, by using sustainable aviation fuel and alternative cleaner fuels," Diaz said, noting that the transport industry is growing extremely fast, citing the infrastructure in the skies and on the ground need to grow fast to accommodate commercial aircrafts forecasted growth in the skies from 20,000 to over 40,000 in the next ten years.

That growth, he said, will result in more cargo and passengers and stronger economic movement global success, more employment, but it must be matched with aggressive environmental actions to support net zero goals.

Diaz pointed to forecasts showing that Africa and the Middle East will experience the fastest regional business growth, connecting more people and goods to global markets than ever before.

While Diaz acknowledged that "the global challenges remain a serious problem" citing war, inequality, climate change, food insecurity and more technology investment,his message at the UN private sector leaders session  and investors forum was one of opportunity and attracting global capital into Africa markets.

With the regional investments, policies and partnerships, he argued, the private sector can be a powerful engine for a more sustainable, inclusive and growth of a more prosperous world.

Private sector leaders globally underscored a growing consensus: the road to solving global problems runs through collaboration between governments, investors, industry leaders and international institutions and the private sector is ready to support and lead the way with the new investment partnerships.