…Says Africa’s future depends on its success

By Gift Chapi-Odekina, Abuja

The United Nations Association of Africa (UNAA) has urged all stakeholders—including governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and individuals—to collaborate in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Agenda 2030.

President General of UNAA, Mr. Sylvester Okafor, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to repositioning the association towards achieving its goals.

He highlighted the critical role of UNAA in sensitizing Africans about the importance of the SDGs and mobilizing action toward their implementation.

“Agenda 2030 is not just a vision but a concrete roadmap that we must all work towards achieving. As President General of UNAA, I am deeply committed to ensuring that our association is at the forefront of efforts to promote the SDGs and mobilize Africans to take ownership of this agenda,” Okafor stated.

Outlining key initiatives, he revealed plans for nationwide sensitization campaigns, collaboration with stakeholders to implement SDG-aligned projects, and providing technical support to help African nations track and report progress.

“The SDGs are a collective responsibility requiring active participation from all. We must work together to mobilize resources, expertise, and influence to drive the agenda forward,” he added.

Expressing optimism, Okafor noted that Africa’s youthful and vibrant population presents a unique opportunity to drive sustainable development. He emphasized that recent progress in poverty reduction, education, and healthcare positions the continent as a potential leader in SDG implementation.

“Africa has all the ingredients for rapid socio-economic transformation and sustainable development. With a dynamic population, a growing middle class, and a rich cultural heritage, we can achieve great strides in implementing the SDGs,” he said.

Okafor reiterated UNAA’s commitment to playing a key role in the SDG implementation process and called on all Africans to join forces in shaping a better future for the continent.