By Staff Reporter
African governments have been commended for their efforts to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while being urged to accelerate efforts in the implementation of the SDGs so that Agenda 2030 can be a reality, the Harare Post can report.
The acclamations were made by the United Nations deputy secretary general Ms. Amina Mohammed during the official opening of the 6th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) yesterday in Victoria Falls.
Ms. Mohamed commended African governments for their energy and determination towards the implementation of SDGs.
She further said the continent has made notable progress in its quest to attain peace and security as well as in implementing the SDGs.
However, she said more effort is needed from all concerned stakeholders for the continent to meet its target for Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063.
“Over the course of 2019 major scientific and analytical reviews made clear that the world is not on track to achieve the sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The African Union first report on the implementation of Agenda 2063 demonstrated that despite early progress there is need for urgent action”, said Mohammed.
Despite challenges such as natural disasters that hinder the implementation of the SDGs, Ms. Mohammed said she believe that with the leadership in Africa and assistance from other developmental partners, Agenda 2030, which seeks to fully implement the 17 SDGs, will be achieved.
“Now, 2020 is an opportunity for all of us to chart a different course and to kick-start a Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs. Region by region, we will build momentum starting by Africa today and I am convinced that with leadership by African governments and strong support from their partners and young people, the Decade of Action can deliver major improvements in peace and prosperity across the continent,” she said.
The UN deputy secretary general said African governments are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to eradicate poverty in the continent.
She further said African economies are developing towards a positive trajectory and are expected to continue doing so.
“Africa continues to have some of the fastest growing economies and growth is projected to remain stable in 2020. The proportion of people living in poverty is declining from 34,5 percent in 2015 to 32,5 percent in 2019. In 10 countries poverty rates are below 10 percent,” Ms. Mohamed said.
Ms. Mohamed reiterated that the UN is ready to assist the African continent to achieve its developmental visions and targets and said that the period between 2020 and 2030 will also allow for annual stock taking on the collective journey towards Agenda 2030.
