News Investigators/ The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has called for urgent and tangible actions to move from global declarations to concrete outcomes on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ECA’s Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete, made the call 8n a statement on Wednesday.
Mr Gatete spoke at the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
He emphasised the need for scaled-up financing and inclusive innovation systems to bridge persistent global development gaps, especially in Africa.
“The question is no longer what needs to be done, it is how fast we can act and how inclusive our tools and financing can become,” he said.
While moderating a high-level townhall session, he advocated for alternative financing models, stronger capital flows and broader adoption of digital tools and mission-driven science, with particular focus on under-resourced regions like Africa.
The session was titled “Unlocking the Means of Implementation: Finance, Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs”.
He also spoke at a separate session on poverty eradication where he underscored the importance of robust data systems.
The session was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the UN, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN).
“We can not end poverty if we can not measure it accurately.
“The global community needs to shift focus from measuring what is convenient to what truly matters.
“To support this goal, ECA has developed a prototype Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) dashboard that integrates spatial data on poverty with climate risks, migration, security and budget allocations,” he said.
He said that the platform was aimed at helping African governments make more informed decisions on resource allocation and social protection.
“As the 2025 HLPF continues, ECA remains active in ensuring that Africa’s priorities are reflected in the global development discourse,” he said.
Mr Gatete reiterated the commission’s readiness to provide technical assistance, policy tools and data platforms to support countries in achieving the SDGs by 2030.
“The real measure of our commitment to the SDGs will be the lives we impact. That requires going beyond declarations to delivery,” he said.
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