[Themed Report] Sustainable Development Goal Number 8 Plays Pivotal Role in Efforts to Achieve 2030 Agenda.by Rosa Domingos | 20-07-2019 22:19 |
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 So far, many countries has been putting their best foot forward to achieving the SDGs in their respective countries. One of them now has been see as the key in ensuring that all countries meet their goals. But before we get to the topic at hand, I would like to lay down the definition of sustainable DEVELOPMENT (or SD). SD refers to the utilisation of nature resources and technologies in a manner that secure the growth of a nation or the plantet, whilst ensure the absolute conservation and protection of the natural resources and the planet for the use by future generations (African News, 2019). SDG 8, which is Growth and economic development has now been seen a key SDG for the achievement of all the other 16 SDGs. How? You may be asking... Well, Sustainable development goal number 8 is a multidimensional goal that lies at the heart of the global 2030 Agenda. It was under spotlight at the political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) that was underway in New York (African News, 2019). Speaking in a Workers and Trade Unions Major Group side event at the Forum, Oliver Chinganya, Director of the Economic Commission for Africa¡¯s (ECA) African Centre for Statistics, said success on SDG8 can not only help achieve a number of other SDGs, but also promote inclusive and sustainable development and make a tangible contribution to improving peoples¡¯ lives and well-being. SDG8 seeks to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all with ultimately connects it to keys SDGs such as zero hunger, no poverty, SDG15 and 16. Oliver also mentioned that inclusive and sustainable economic growth can drive progress and generate the means to implement the SDGS. He did not fail to mention that though the production of social and economic statistics in Africa has improved over the past 20 years, many countries still lacked the statistical capacity to collect, manage, and report on the SDGs in general, in particular labour market data and statistics, thus made it hard to monitor progress. In order to address these challenges, Oliver suggested the ECA, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), work together to improve labour market information systems in member States as part of building requisite capacity for collection, analysis and dissemination of data to support credible policymaking in Africa (African News, 2019). Looking ahead, new potentials for enhancing productive employment will emerg in Africa. Oliver mentioned that we need to look at deepening regional integration through the newly agreed African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This will boost Africa¡¯s GDP by 1 percent and total employment by 1.2 percent. According to our research, small and medium sized enterprises, accounting for 80 percent of the region¡¯s businesses; women, who represent 70 percent of the informal cross-border traders and the youth, will be able to find new employment opportunities and be among the key beneficiaries of the agreement. ECA estimates that the AfCFTA has the potential to boost intra-African trade by 52.3 percent by eliminating import duties, which can double if non-tariff barriers are also reduced and have concomitant impact on creating employment. For Africa with a population dominated by young people – nearly 20 per cent of continent¡¯s total population is in the 15-24 age bracket – there needs to be greater emphasis on upgrading skills through technical and vocation education (African News, 2019). Moreover, young people are neither idle nor helpless in transforming their socio-economic predicament, they are key actors and leaders in numerous initiatives. It is therefore critical to involve and engage them in policy processes Doing business reforms aimed at simplifying and streamlining the doing business environment, especially the regulatory framework, is therefore key to unlocking the potential of the private sector to create employment opportunities (African News, 2019). In all honesty, we have a lot to learn from each other¡¯s experiences and it's important that we work together to achieve SDGs. The meeting of the high-level political forum on sustainable development, convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, is being held under the theme; ¡°Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality". Reference list: African News - https://www.africanews.com/2019/07/19/sustainable-development-goal-8-sdg8-plays-pivotal-role-in-efforts-to-achieve-2030-agenda-says-chinganya/ Date 20 July 2019 |
