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Those hoping to see increased cooperation between the public and private sectors to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were given a boost on Wednesday 7 May to 8 May when the Heads of the UN Regional Commissions decided to share a platform and give their support to new forms of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Quality public services are the foundation of a fair society and a strong economy. Such services make our communities and economies more equitable, resilient to downturn and disaster, and protect the youngest, sick, unemployed, disabled, aged and vulnerable. Quality public services are among the State’s primary mechanisms for fulfilling its obligations for the realization of human rights, gender equality and social justice. They are key to the implementation of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda, including SDG 9 on building resilient infrastructure.
Arguably Kenya has been the sports powerhouse in Africa. For a long time Kenyan has quite been dominant on track and field events. The recent exploits by Eliud Kipchoge, winning the Berlin marathon in a record time then following it up with London marathon win; goes to show how Kenyan athletes have consistently put the country on the global map.
Agenda 2063 is the Vision of an integrated, prosperous Africa, driven by its own competent and Skilled citizens able to play in the global arena and has 7 Aspirations. The African union is working towards empowering the role of youth at different arenas in the different departmental mandates. Aspiration six of Agenda 2063 is calling to “An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by people, especially its women and youth and caring for children”. The efforts to support youth empowerment is translated through different decisions in the commission.
For years, boosting agricultural production was believed to be the solution to world hunger and malnourishment. But years of intensive farming with chemical fertilisers and pesticides has done little to move the needle on food insecurity, health metrics or life expectancy. Today, experts have identified a new kind of hunger-one caused by not lack of food but food that lack essential micronutrients necessary for growth and development.
One of the ways the youth can be empowered is by them actively being part of the leadership and having their say in decision making. Youth leadership is a subject that has gained traction in recent years. More than before the youths are now embolden, courageous and ready to take leadership and chart a better future for fellow youths and the generations to come. The adage, “youths are the leaders of tomorrow” probably stopped making much sense, when the youths sobered up and endeared to be part of the current leadership rather than waiting longer on side-lines.
Forty-nine of Africa’s 55 countries have signed the framework for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free and unfettered movement of businesspeople and investments. When at least 22 countries ratify it, the AfCFTA will officially come into force, potentially making the continent the largest trading bloc in the world. Africa Renewal’s Zipporah Musau spoke with Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), on what countries stand to gain and what challenges to expect. Excerpts:
After flying into the city of Bolin in the Republic of Chad, over the lush fields and receding lakes; Amina Mohammed, the United Nations’ Deputy Secretary-General landed to a rapturous welcome from traditional rulers and local women. Their faces reflected a hope and dignity slipping away under the harsh reality of poverty and insecurity. The women, smiling at them as they disembarked, showed the same resilience she had seen in women in countless contexts: an ability to survive, even in the face of multiple forms of violence and insecurity at home, in public or from political conflict.
