10 Jun 2016
There is a high degree of convergence between the SDGs and Agenda 2063, in part due to the Common African Position, which preceded formulation of these Global Goals.
The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on September 25, 2015, at the 70th United Nations General Assembly marked the beginning of the difficult task of translating the new global agenda into action. These ambitious and transformative goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – will set the parameters for the global development agenda for the next 15 years. Yet an implementation dilemma is unfolding as each region and country grapples with the challenges of rolling out a global development framework while tailoring it to respond to specific development contexts. The SDGs – with their 17 goals and 169 targets – demonstrate the scale and ambition of the new agenda. It is global, rather than focusing on developing countries. The intention is nothing less than to transform systemic and structural barriers to development at the heart of global economy. However, the relevance of each goal will vary from country to country (and region to region) depending on particular development priorities and challenges. This represents a massive coordination problem. Africa has an advantage. Through Agenda 2063 – a 50-year development action plan adopted by all members of the African Union – continent-wide priorities for development have already been defined.