The President General of the United Nations Association of Africa, UNAA, Amb. Sylvester Okafor has pledged to reposition the association towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, as encapsulated in Agenda 2030.
Speaking at the association’s headquarters in the United States, Amb. Okafor emphasised UNAA’s role in raising awareness about the SDGs and mobilising stakeholders to take meaningful action.
He noted that “the SDGs represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.”
Amb. Okafor said; “the UNAA President General outlined a number of key initiatives that his administration will implement to drive the SDGs agenda forward.”
According to him, the initiatives include conducting nation-wide sensitisation campaigns across Africa to raise awareness about the SDGs, collaborating with governments, Civil society organisations and the private sector to develop and implement SDGs aligned projects and programmes, and providing technical support and capacity building to African countries to help them track and report on SDGs progress.
Amb. Okafor also stressed the need for partnership and collaboration in achieving the SDGs.
He called on all stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, civil society organisations and individuals, to join forces with UNAA in this endeavour.
“The SDGs are a collective responsibility that requires the active participation and engagement of all stakeholders. We cannot achieve these goals alone, and therefore, we must work together to mobilise resources, expertise and influence to drive the SDGs agenda forward,” he said.
The UNAA President General expressed his optimism about the potential of Africans to make a meaningful contribution towards achieving the SDGs.
He noted that Africa has a youthful and vibrant population that can be harnessed to drive the SDGs agenda, and that the continent has made significant progress in recent years in areas such as poverty reduction, education and health.
“Africa has the potential to be a leader in the implementation of the SDGs. With a youthful and dynamic population, a growing middle class and a rich cultural heritage, we have all the ingredients necessary to achieve rapid socio-economic transformation and sustainable development,” Amb. Okafor said.
Amb. Okafor reiterated his commitment to repositioning the UNAA as a key player in the implementation of the SDGs in Africa.
He called on all Africans to join forces with the association in this endeavour and to work together to create a better future for all.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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