Africa 2030: SDGs Within Social Boundaries Conference & Launching Africa 2030: SDGs Within Social Boundaries – Leaving No One Behind Outlook Report

By The Inspirer writer. 

As part of the efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa (The SDGC/A) prepared a report on inclusiveness within social boundaries aiming at leaving no one behind.

It is the forth report, consistent with the earlier versions of the Africa 2030 reports, which monitors progress towards the SDGs in Africa.

The report provides a complete analysis of where Africa stands regarding social inclusion related to the SDGs while also depicting both qualitative and quantitative analysis of progress and constraints.

The report documents best practices of inclusion while mapping out the trigger factors of efficiency, relevancy, and efficacy of the implementation efforts, consequently setting appropriate pragmatic recommendations for African countries to leverage inclusion.

The SDGCA received financial support to organize the conference and publish the report by KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), the development agency of the Korean government. The virtual conference themed Africa 2030: SDGs Within Social Boundaries is scheduled on July 22, 2021.

During this conference, the report entitled Africa 2030: SDGs Within Social Boundaries – Leaving No One Behind Outlook will be launched. The conference will gather leaders and experts from across the world to present honest perspectives on the SDGs progress across the African continent; lessons learnt, challenges, and opportunities. It will also provide an appropriate platform for stakeholders to debate the progress made towards achieving the SDGs.

The focus areas related to inclusion (eradication of poverty and inequality) at the aggregate and sector levels, including agriculture, health, education, energy and water services, infrastructure, and financial landscape will be highlighted.

The discussions at the conference will attempt to answer the following questions: (a) What are the current status and prospect of social inclusion in Africa in the respective sectors? (b) Are countries doing enough to include all people in respective sectors, making sure no citizen is “left behind”? (c) What have we learned so far and by extension, what should be the top policy and intervention priorities to address the prevailing predicament? (d) How can policy measures, strategies and examples of good practice can be scaled up and realised?

It is expected that the content from the different theme-based discussions will facilitate a better understanding by stakeholders on how to effectively achieve the SDGs without leaving no one behind while detailing constraints and associated action plans in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Caroline Makasa, Acting Director General of The SDGC/A said that: “There is a need to analyze the status of social inclusion across Africa and The SDGC/A believes that social inclusion is a key indicator in achieving SDGs in Africa”. She added that: “Tracking inclusion and equity status across communities and groups is an essential aspect in achieving all SDGs by 2030; and social inclusion should be a focus while delivering social services across all sectors”.

For KOICA and the Government of Korea being partners and accepting to financially support the conference and publication of the report on social inclusion, they are backing up development efforts in Africa with no one left behind. KOICA representative said: “I recognize this conference as a great opportunity to share implications and insights on the policy level efforts to achieve SDGs in Africa countries which were affected by COVID-19, and the Korean government and KOICA will continue close partnership with Africa countries.”