Integrating Africa’s priorities in the post 2015 development agenda

Addis Ababa, 25 March 2015 (ECA-AUC) – Experts discussed the common African position on the Post 2015 Development Agenda at the Committee of Experts meeting organized ahead of the 2015 Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Eradicating all forms of poverty and quickly reducing inequality through inclusive and sustainable development and decent jobs is part of the African Position’s overarching goal for the Post 2015 Agenda adopted by African Heads of States.

In September 2015, the United Nations member states will adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will build upon the Millennium Development Goals and converge with the Post 2015 Development Agenda.

African Heads of States and Governments established in January 2015 an African group of negotiators to coordinate efforts and ensure that a unified African voice is heard and taken into account in the final post 2015 Development agenda.

Mr Dossina Yeo from the African Union Commission’s Economic Affairs Department presented the work carried out to forge strategic alliances in order for African priorities to be highly taken into account.

“It is vital that Africa lead the Post-2015 Development Agenda”, he said.

Yeo said that the consensus around the African Common Position for the Post 2015 Development agenda is the outcomes of several inclusive and transparent consultations held with African stakeholders, which include governments, parliaments, civil societies, academia, women, youth and private sector representatives.

The Common African Position on the Post 2015 Development Agenda is based on six pillars: (i)Structural economic transformation and inclusive growth; (ii)Science, technology and innovation; (iii)People-centered development; (iv)Environmental sustainability, natural resources management, and disaster risk management ; (v)Peace and security ; (vi)Finance and partnerships.

The final document describing the intergovernmental negotiations’ outcomes will be ready in May 2015 and presented to the UN General Assembly for adoption and consideration.

Jointly issued by the ECA and the AUC