New York, USA – 21 September 2016: The African Union Commission (AUC) today hosted a high level joint side event in conjunction with the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA), the African Development Bank (AFDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) -Regional Bureau for Africa to discuss the modalities of effecting an integrated approach to implementing Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Global 2030 Agenda.

The meeting which was held on the side lines of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was chaired by the AUC Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha and was attended by high-ranking government officials, heads of Pan African Organizations, heads of international organisations as well as development partners and key stakeholders.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Mwencha highlighted the fact that Africa proactively contributed to the global agenda by formulating a Common African Position (CAP) on the Post 2015 Development Agenda which was preceded by broad consultations across the continent and that Africa was the only region that had developed a document which represented a united African voice in the formulation of the SDGs. This document greatly influenced the work of the Open Working Group on the SDGs and the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the post-2015 development Agenda. As a result, there is a high degree of convergence between the continent’s priorities, as embodied in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030; and this calls for coherent implementation of both agendas by African Member States.”

During the meeting, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs H.E. Dr. Anthony Mothae Maruping moderated a panel of distinguished representatives to discuss various perspectives on implementing Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030. The panel consisted of representatives from UNECA, AFDB, NEPAD, UNFPA FEMNET UNDP and the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA)

Reflecting on the recent trends on the MDGs the Executive Secretary of UNECA Dr. Carlos Lopes called on African States to accelerate efforts to diversify their economies and add value to their primary commodities so as to expand decent employment opportunities for their population.” Mr. Alberic Kacou of the AFDB reiterated the Bank’s support for the implementation of the two agendas and observed that “the institution’s priorities as reflected in the High 5s provide substantial leverage for the implementation of the SDGs and Agenda 2063.” Mr. Odusola of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa underlined their “commitment to strengthening the capacities of countries to implement the two agendas.”

The meeting concluded with the launch of two reports: the MDG to Agenda 2063 /SDG Transition Report 2016 and Africa Economic Outlook Report 2016. The transition report takes stock of Africa’s performance on the MDGs to date and reflects on the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition to Africa’s continental Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The transition report also highlights important strides made by the continent in: improving net primary enrolment; enhancing gender equality and empowerment of women; reducing child mortality; combating the spread of HIV and AIDS; and ensuring environmental sustainability.

To ensure effective implementation of the two Agendas, the transition report highlights the need for countries to strengthen capacities for evidence-based policy-making and to improve institutional coordination.

For further information:

Selamawit Mussie, Policy Officer | Department of Economic Affairs, African Union Commission (AUC) Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 / E-mail: SelamawitMU@africa-union.org

Media Queries contact:
Esther Azaa Tankou, Head of Information Division |Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission (AUC) Tel: +251(0) 911361185 / E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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