The Government of Uganda initiated a domestic review platform to expedite follow-up, review and validate progress made on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. This platform will be organized annually and will be referred to as the Uganda Annual SDG Conference.
The first SDG conference took place from 16th to 17th June 2022 under the theme “Building Effective Models to accelerate the SDGs in the Post COVID-19 Era. The conference drew participation of officials from Government Departments and Agencies, Development Partners, UN Agencies, the Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations, Academia ad leaders from Local Governments.
The SDG Status Report 2021 was presented based on a detailed analysis of the SDGs implementation and a review of progress made in the implementation of the six recommended actions in 2020 Voluntary National Review Report.
The conference was opened by His Excellency the President of Uganda represented by the Rt. Hon Prime Minster. She noted that Uganda is committed to ensure that it delivered sustainable development to the people and contribute to global solutions towards building a better world.
In the Partners’ and Stakeholders’ Statement, the UN Resident Coordinator invited participants to reflect on several areas including coordination, development financing, population growth, jobs and tracking progress. The Minister for General Duties/ Focal Point Minister for SDGs in her opening remarks highlighted what the Government is doing to implement SDGS including the two SDG Voluntary Review Reports and aligning the SDGS to the National Development Plan. The Rt. Hon Speaker of Parliament in her speech reflected the role of Parliament in the implementation of the SDGs while His Lordship the Chief Justice, in his key note speech he reflected on the Role of Judiciary in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
There were several high level panel discussions as well as parallel sessions. The first high level panel discussion on priorities and financing the SDGs to accelerate the 2030 Agenda was moderated by the Resident Representative of UNDP. The Panelists included the chairperson NPA, the Chief Executive Officer PSFU and the Deputy National Coordinator PDM Secretariat. The second-high level panel discussion on “Leaving No One Behind” Technology, Data and Evidence for Social Protection was moderated by Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The Panelists included the Executive Director UBOS, UNICEF Country Representative, UN Women Country Representative and Director DRDIP.