In September 2023, during the SDGs Summit and United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Uganda, Ms. Nabbanja Robinah, extended an invitation to Professor Jeffrey Sachs to visit Uganda. Professor Sachs, a renowned expert in sustainable development, accepted the invitation and planned his visit from February 25-29, 2024. This visit signifies Uganda’s commitment to leveraging global expertise for accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Uganda 2040 Vision.
Professor Jeffrey Sachs is a world-renowned economist and sustainable development leader. He has held significant roles, including Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the SDGs and Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. With a prolific career spanning over thirty years, he has advised numerous governments on economic strategy and sustainable development. His initiatives, like the Millennium Villages Project, have made substantial impacts, especially in Africa.
Uganda’s progress towards achieving the SDGs has been mixed, with some targets on track while others lag behind. At the 2023 UN SDG Summit, Uganda committed to accelerating SDG implementation through six national commitments. Professor Sachs’ visit aims to provide strategic insights and practical guidance on implementing these commitments, exploring innovative financing options, and enhancing the effectiveness of the Parish Development Model (PDM). His visit is timely as Uganda is currently formulating its National Development Plan IV (NDP-IV).
Rt Hon Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, welcomes Prof Jeffrey Sachs to Uganda.
The Objectives of the Visit included; Discussion on Development Priorities and SDGs Accelerators; guiding the developing a Roadmap for National Commitments; and exploring Alternative Financing Options for Uganda.
Professor Sachs’ visit included meetings with the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady Hon Kataha Janet Museveni, the Rt. Hon Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, key government officials, heads of agencies, and development partners. He will engage in discussions at the Office of the Prime Minister, the National Planning Authority, relevant ministries, and Makerere University. His itinerary also included a policy dialogue on SDG implementation through development financing and the Parish Development Model.