In Madagascar, Ban calls for end to corruption, reports on 'alarming' cost of hunger

11 May 2016 - During his visit to Madagascar today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Malagasy parliamentarians to end the corruption that has weakened their society, while launching a report on the cost of hunger in the island nation.

"Your elections last year represented an important milestone that ended five years of political crisis," Mr. Ban said in an address to the joint congress of both the Senate and the National Assembly of Madagascar, a country which lies off the southeast coast of Africa.

This is the third and last stop of the UN chief's trip to the region which began last Saturday, and included the Seychelles and Mauritius.

"Madagascar is at a crossroads. I see huge challenges and even greater opportunities," he said, underlining the existence of widespread poverty, weak economic growth and high unemployment, as well as the country's water which is reportedly "among the worst in the world."

"This Parliament has the democratic legitimacy to guide Madagascar in meeting the challenges ahead. You can end the corruption that has weakened Malagasy society. You can help fight the illegal trafficking of natural treasures. In this way, you can be fully accountable to the voters," the Secretary-General stressed.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) meets with Honoré Rakotomanana (centre), President of the Senate of Madagascar, and Jean Max Rakotomamonjy, President of the National Assembly of Madagascar. UN Photo/Mark Garten

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) and wife Yoo Soon-taek tour a Lemur Park near Antananarivo, Madagascar. UN Photo/Mark Garten

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is welcomed by President Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana of Madagascar, on his arrival in Antananarivo. UN Photo/Mark Garten

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is awarded a national decoration of the Republic of Madagascar by President Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana of Madagascar. UN Photo/Mark Garten

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2nd left) with President Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana (2nd right) as well as Mr. Ban's wife, Yoo Soon-taek, and First Lady Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina (right). UN Photo/Mark Garten

A member of the audience takes a snapshot of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as he delivers his remarks. UN Photo/Mark Garten

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during a group photo following a town hall meeting with UN staff members serving in Madagascar. UN Photo/Mark Garten

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre left) and wife Yoo Soon-taek (centre right) in a group photo with members of the UN Country Team serving in Madagascar. UN Photo/Mark Garten

‹ › Noting that military operations "can never excuse human rights violations - here or anywhere," the UN chief said there is no place for torture in the modern world, including in Madagascar: "I urge you to end all rights violations, including mob justice and extrajudicial killings," he insisted, applauding the country for abolishing the death penalty.

Thanking the active network of female Parliamentarians who champion the cause of nutrition, Mr. Ban recalled that Madagascar is a member of his Scaling Up Nutrition Movement.

"I commend your commitment to improving nutrition. Nutrition is about more than feeding people. It requires attention to health, agriculture, education, women's empowerment and water," he said, declaring the launch of the UN report on the cost of hunger in Madagascar.

"It paints an alarming picture. Nearly one out of two children here suffer from stunting. This is a tragedy for individuals and a disaster for development. Undernutrition costs more than a billion and a half dollars each year in Madagascar. That is almost 15 per cent of GDP. The human toll is immeasurable," he warned.

Later, at a press conference with Malagasy President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Mr. Ban told reporters that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can help Madagascar open a new future.

"I am pleased that it is widely supported by the country's officials and development partners. The United Nations will do everything possible to help this country reach the Sustainable Development Goals here," he said.

He also commended Madagascar for being among the more than 175 countries that have signed the Paris Agreementon climate change, and urged the Parliament to ratify it immediately.