The Director General of the Department of Public Service and Administration, Ms Yoliswa Makhasi, officially welcomed international delegates to the Fifth UNDESA-APRM Regional Workshop, on behalf of the Minister for Public Service and Administration (MPSA) On October 24, 2024. The workshop, titled “Strengthening Institutional Capacities in Africa for Effective Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want,” is taking place from October 24 to 26 in Cape Town.
Since 2019, UNDESA and the APRM have partnered to host these Regional Capacity Workshops, aimed at supporting African countries in enhancing governance capabilities. The workshops are based on the UN principles of effective governance for sustainable development, as outlined by the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) in 2018.
These capacity-building workshops serve as a platform for sharing experiences and exploring collaborative actions to improve the implementation of Agendas 2030 and 2063. They focus on enhancing monitoring and evaluation capabilities, as well as integrating these agendas into national development plans and strategies, particularly in relation to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and Agenda 2063’s Moonshot 3: Responsive Public Institutions.
The fifth workshop follows the 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and Summit of the Future, which took place in New York in July and September, respectively. These events reviewed progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs. Under the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Effective Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient, and Innovative Solutions,” the HLPF conducted an in-depth review of SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 16; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
In her opening remarks, DG Makhasi noted that the HLPF’s approach is especially relevant given the complex crises facing the global community on political, economic, social, and environmental fronts. She pointed out that the 2024 SDG Report indicates that only 17% of SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030, a concerning outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and climate-related disasters.
She emphasized the urgent need for global solidarity and multilateralism to address the “wicked” challenges faced by nations at both local and global levels. DG Makhasi also highlighted key findings from South Africa’s 30-Year Review of Democracy, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a “capable, ethical, and developmental state,” which is a priority under the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP). This plan aims to rebuild state capabilities, create a professional public service, strengthen law enforcement against crime and corruption, and promote peace and stability in Africa and beyond.
During the Opening Session, Mr Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs congratulated UNDESA and the APRM for their continued partnership on these Regional Workshops, which provide a platform for member states to share experiences, identify capacity building needs, and improve accountability through integrating the CEPA principles in their national development strategies to implement the two Agendas. He also expressed appreciation to South Africa as the host country for the Workshop.
Reflecting on this long-standing collaboration, Ms Marie-Antoinette Rose Quarte, CEO of APRM, mentioned that over 400 public servants from 40 African countries have participated in the program, enhancing institutional effectiveness to implement the two agendas and address governance gaps.
On October 25, as Director of the APRM National Secretariat, I participated in a session titled “Making SDG 16 by 2030 and Moonshot 3 by 2033 a Reality.” I shared South Africa’s progress in sound policymaking and building strong, capable institutions, reinforcing findings from the Second-Generation Country Review. I highlighted key factors for enhancing the implementation of SDG 16 and AU Agenda 2063, including leadership, political commitment, professionalization, good governance, and the integration of regional frameworks like APRM into the National Development Plan and MTDP.
Participants in the workshop include government officials from 17 African countries, representatives from UN entities, UN Resident Coordinators, experts from AU organs, civil society groups, youth representatives, and private sector representatives.
Former South African Minister of the Public Service and Administration and current Chair of the UN CEPA, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, encouraged member states to harness opportunities presented by continental and global agreements, such as the AU’s Strategic Ten-Year Implementation Plan for Agenda 2063 and those adopted at the UN Summit of the Future 2024. She urged these frameworks to guide collaboration and the co-creation of actionable policies and practical initiatives aimed at fostering good governance and strong institutions for sustainable development.
