SDG Center for Africa

Launch of the Southern Africa Sub-Regional Center
The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa
Closing Remarks by Hon. IBRAHIM SALIM BAGUS
MP Minister of Industry Trade and Tourism
07^th August 2019, Lusaka - Zambia

CABINET MINISTERS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

MY FELLOW, MINISTERS FROM SADC COUNTRIES,

PERMANENT SECRETARIES PRESENT

THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE SDG CENTRE FOR AFRICA,

YOUR EXCELLENCIES, AMBASSADORS AND HIGH COMMISSIONERS,

SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM SADC AND ZAMBIA,

COLLEAGUES FROM ACADEMIA, RESEARCH BODIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND PRIVATE SECTOR,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PLEASURE TO BE HERE IN LUSAKA TO WITNESS THE LAUNCH OF THE SDG SUB-REGIONAL CENTRE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA HERE IN ZAMBIA. COMING FROM MALAWI AND BEING ONE OF THE CLOSEST NEIGHBORS TO ZAMBIA, I AM HUMBLED TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFICIALLY CLOSE THIS EVENT.

AS WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE FIRST PRESENTATION WHICH HIGHLIGHTED THE 3-YEAR PERFORMANCE OF OUR REGION, SOUTHERN AFRICA, IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT AS GOVERNMENTS WE MUST ACCELERATE EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT WE GET BACK ON TRACK WITH RESPECT TO ATTAINING AGENDA 2030. THIS CLARION CALL IS NOT ONLY FOR GOVERNMENTS, BUT FOR ACADEMIA, RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, CIVIL SOCIETY, PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO PLAY YOUR ROLES TO ENSURE THAT WE ACHIEVE THE TARGETS THAT WE SET FOR THE POST 2015 AGENDA.

THE PANEL DISCUSSIONS THAT WE SAW HAVE PROVIDED AN INSIGHT INTO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE CAN ADDRESS TO ENSURE THAT WE GET BACK ON TRACK. I WISH TO REQUEST THAT THE SDG CENTRE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA IMMEDIATELY BEGINS A PROCESS OF HOLDING PEER REVIEWS WITH REGARD TO THE PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING AS SADC COUNTRIES. THIS WILL ASSIST OUR COUNTRIES TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES AND EXPERTISE USING THE SUB-REGIONAL CENTRE AS A HUB.

ALLOW ME TO CONVEY MY GRATITUDE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA FOR ACCEPTING TO HOST THE CENTRE AS WELL AS BEING A GOOD HOST, AND FOR THE COURTESIES THAT HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO OUR DELEGATIONS SINCE OUR ARRIVAL. FURTHER, I WISH TO THANK THE SDG CENTRE FOR AFRICA FOR THE BRINGING ITS SERVICES TO OUR REGION AND CLOSER TO OUR CAPITALS.

I ALSO WISH TO THANK MY FELLOW DELEGATES FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION. FOR THOSE THAT ARE TRAVELING, I WISH YOU A SAFE JOURNEY BACK TO YOUR CAPITALS.

WITH THESE FEW REMARKS, IT IS MY RARE HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE TO DECLARE THIS MEETING OFFICIALLY CLOSED.

I THANK YOU