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13.02.2016 Social News

UNFPA Executive Director congratulates President Mahama

By GNA
UNFPA Executive Director congratulates President Mahama
13.02.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Feb. 13, GNA - Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations on Friday congratulated President Dramani Mahama on his appointment as the Co-chair, SDG's eminent advocates.

He said it is very critical that the president has been chosen to lead the process which is about national leadership and countries coming together to make it achievable.

He was speaking at the launch of the sustainable development goals in Ghana and the commemoration of President Mahama's appointment as Co-chair of the SDGs eminent advocates group by the United Nation Secretary General.

He said the sustainability of the SDG is the responsibility of leadership of member states.

Dr Osotimehin said the SDG which has 17 goals and mainly about fighting inequality, ending poverty and ending climate change is to help transform the continent and the world at large.

He called on African leaders to educate and invest in the youth who are its biggest assets.

Madam Hege Hertzbery, the Norwegian Ambassador, said the 17 SDGs is a plan of actions for people and it would be effective if we consider partnership and sustainable investment models to scale up the monies involved.

She said internationally, countries have agreed on a road map for the future that would leave no one behind.

She said it has proven difficult for the Millennium Development Goals to be attained in places where conflicts are prevalent, adding that poverty inequality, forced marriage and conflicts are global challenges that affect all and efforts to stop them cannot wait.

She said 'as Africans we would succeed if we work together and if we achieve the SDGs we can be the generation that ends extreme poverty and stops climate change.

Miss Christine Evans-Klock, United Nations Resident Coordinator said the SDG's are worthy goals in their own rights but provide a solid ground to the development of the continent if they are implemented, adding that their attainment in the next 15 years would create an enabling environment for the development of the world.

She expressed appreciation to the President for his role in developing and promoting the SDGs, saying the UN would continue to work together and provide support to governments for them to continuously express their interest in the SGDs.

GNA

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