Rwandan president Paul Kagame launches Sustainable Development Goals Centre for Africa
Africa has taken its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a step further by launching an SDG center for the continent. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda officially launched the center at an international conference in Kigali.
Happening now: Launch of the SDGs Center for Africa in Kigali, #Rwanda. Follow live on https://t.co/qZ2eWyWYww #SDGCAfrica pic.twitter.com/3kbtf0rea3
— Government of Rwanda (@RwandaGov) January 27, 2017
The conference focused on how Africa could achieve the SGDs by 2030.
The SDG Center for Africa conference launch is underway! Honorable Ministers of Rwanda and Africa will be entering soon. #SDGsAfrica #Rwanda pic.twitter.com/I5ZYSw3n2B
— SDGC/A (@SDGCAfrica) January 27, 2017
Introducing the center
The center will provide technical support, advice and expertise to national governments, private sector organisations, the civil society and academic institutions.
This centre will serve as an important, focal point for advocacy and coordination,” President Kagame said.
But like the SDGs themselves this institution is a tool to help us get what we really want, and that is results.”
During the conference participants also looked at some of the centre’s current initiatives in terms of building and monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the progress made by African countries towards the SDGs.
If we are to meet the SDGs, we need to share stories about what works and what doesn’t, develop creative ways to finance projects that will aid in development, and combine our knowledge in order to multiply it,” said Dr Belay Begashaw, the center’s director general.
The center is an international organization that supports governments, civil society, businesses and academic institutions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, through building upon Africa’s existing successes and by bringing together people, ideas, and innovation to collectively reach a more sustainable future.