Speeches Shim
Mozambique is a country of approximately 29 million people challenged by a generalized HIV epidemic. National HIV prevalence is estimated at 13%, with substantial variation in provincial prevalence ranging from 5% in Tete Province to 24% in Gaza Province.
Life-long learning begins with the mastery of reading and extends upward into higher skill areas that are a “must have” for individual and national development. High illiteracy impedes economic and social progress. In Mozambique, 40% of adults over 15 cannot read and write and female literacy lags far behind male literacy at 33%. With half the population under 15, education is important to continuing gains in peace and well-being and to enable the country to attract investment.
Mozambique is the third most vulnerable country in Africa to disaster risks (according to the UN’s Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction). Frequent natural disasters disrupt livelihoods and food production of the most vulnerable people, undermining the fight against extreme poverty.
Mozambique has made progress since the end of the civil war in 1992 in building a stable and democratic state. However, the benefits of economic and social development have not reached the majority of the population of 29 million, roughly half of whom are under 15.
Mozambique´s abundant natural resources and geography create both opportunities and risks. The exploitation of oil, gas and minerals as well as biodiversity, such as wildlife, fisheries and forests, help to promote economic growth but when conducted unsustainably, fuel corruption and often lead to resource conflict.
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