Workshop on Strengthening Institutional Capacities in Africa for Effective Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and AU Agenda 2063:
Follow-up to 2024 HLPF and Summit for the Future
[Video Message]
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to welcome you to this workshop on effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda and AU Agenda 2063.
This is the fifth workshop that we have organized in partnership with the African Peer Review Mechanism Secretariat. I take this opportunity to thank APRM for its strong support.
I would also like to extend appreciation to the Government of South Africa for their gracious hospitality in hosting this workshop.
The goal of this regional workshop is to enhance the capacities of institutions in Africa to be more responsive to the basic needs of the people they serve.
Strong and inclusive institutions are key to supporting macroeconomic policy frameworks and advancing structural transformation and sustained growth in the region.
The “2024 Africa Sustainable Development Report” shows only 6 per cent of SDG targets currently on track in the region, compared to 17 per cent globally.
Africa still holds 55 per cent of the world’s population living on less than 2.15 US dollar a day. Of the 39 countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence in 2023, 20 were in the Africa.
In this context, advancing sustainable development in Africa will require a well-coordinated, cross cutting approach, anchored in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. It will take transparent, accountable, inclusive, responsive and forward-looking governance to get us there.
Just weeks ago, at the Summit of the Future, Heads of State and Government acknowledged this truth in the Pact for the Future.
World leaders recognized Africa as a special case, as well as the need for solidarity with Africa in advancing our global development goals. The Pact also recognized the agency and leadership of African countries and the need to hear and support your voices in shaping solutions for the region and beyond.
Through the Pact, governments have pledged to take the type of bold, ambitious and transformative actions that would advance sustainable development in Africa.
They pledged to place poverty eradication at the centre of development efforts, and to close the SDG financing gap in developing countries.
They committed to a multilateral trading system that drives sustainable development.
And they pledged to accelerate the reform of the international financial architecture to strengthen the voice and representation of developing countries.
It is my firm belief that the Pact for the Future strengthens the existing foundation for tackling inequalities, job insecurity and climate change, while reducing the risk of escalating social and geopolitical tensions.
It provides a framework for accelerated sustainable development, with specific actions aimed at addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within the African continent.
However, the success of these actions will depend on the political will of Member States and the effective implementation of the Pact's commitments.
To promote prosperity and quality of life for all, institutions should make decisions, as well as shape and implement policies that balance the short-term needs of today’s generation with the longer-term needs of future generations. This is one of the 11 UN Principles of effective governance for sustainable development.
In the African context, this means identifying key entry points for social investment that increase benefits and reduce trade-offs across economic sectors and societal segments.
It also means silencing the guns and curbing corruption.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today’s workshop presents a key opportunity for African countries to share their experiences delivering effective, sustainable, resilient and innovative SDG solutions.
And it provides a space for sharing the governance strategies and capacity-building opportunities most relevant to countries in this region.
I encourage African countries to leverage the follow-up to the Summit of the Future and the platform provided by the High-level Political Forum to improve accountability and build momentum, including by strengthening the linkages between national development plans and local and national reviews.
I look forward to our joint efforts to strengthen institutional capacities to deliver sustainable development in Africa and realise the vision of the Pact for the Future.
Thank you.