SDG Center for Africa

President Kagame calls for joint efforts for the implementation of SDGs

02nd December 2018

Johannesburg, South Africa

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Chair of the African Union attended the Global Citizen SDG Reception hosted by Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana on 2^nd December 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In His address, President Kagame urged African Countries to increase ownership of the SGDs and continue to generate revenues domestically;

“Our countries need to continue building the capacity to generate revenues domestically, so that we can entrench a sense of ownership of the SDGs, reduce dependence on ever scarce funding, and ensure sustainability of results. We are encouraged by the good progress in the institutional reform of the African Union, which is already enhancing self-financing, efficiency and coordination. Let us take advantage of this momentum, to collaborate even more productively with our global partners, and move faster towards attaining the SDGs by 2030” President Kagame said.

President Kagame also addressed thousands of young people at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100" in Johannesburg, South Africa to mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth and honour his legacy. In His remarks, Presdient Kagame urged the youth to continue to play their role in the realization of the goals:

“The African Union belongs to all of us. That is why we are working hard to make the African Union stronger and more effective. But we need Africa’s young people to be fierce advocates for these goals. You are so well represented tonight here in Soweto, and you make us proud”

Reiterating Nelson Mandela’s particular call to "Be the Generation to End Extreme Poverty", President Kagame called for the youth’s active participation:

“He never gave up on Africa. He believed that Africa’s children can achieve anything. It is our responsibility to continue building on his legacy. We must commit to ensuring good nutrition for our children, and eliminating the preventable diseases that threaten Africa’s potential. We must get the most out of our agriculture, which holds massive potential to create jobs and prosperity for all.” President Kagame noted.