ECA calls for human rights and people-centered approach to sustainable development in Africa

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has urged for a human-rights and people-centered approach to sustainable development in Africa which is key in ensuring that no one is left behind

ECA, established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1958 as one of the UN’s regional commissions, aims to promote economic and social development among its member states, including Zimbabwe.

Its mission includes fostering intraregional integration and enhancing international cooperation for Africa’s development.

With 54 Member States, ECA serves as both a regional branch of the UN and a crucial element of Africa’s institutional framework.

Speaking at the 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development in New York City, M Sweta Saxena, Director of the Gender, Poverty, and Social Policy Division at ECA, highlighted that Africa has effectively communicated its priorities by embracing a unified stance on Population and Development in 2022. This approach considers shared interests, differences, and obstacles.

“A human rights and people-centric approach to sustainable development in Africa is key to ensuring that no one is left behind and this means that women, young people and vulnerable groups must receive priority attention,” said Ms Saxena.

Zimbabwe has already taken the lead in that approach through President Mnangagwa and his Second Republic’s Leaving no-one and no place behind mantra.

The meeting was held under the theme: “Assessing the status of implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and its contribution to the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development during the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”.

Ms Saxena highlighted three key issues where regional commitment is vital.

She said Africa needs to respond to its population dynamics, which include rapid population growth in countries with some of the most fragile health systems, high rates of poverty, low literacy, high levels of gender inequality and limited access to modern technologies.

These dynamics must be accounted for in the design and implementation of development plans, as well as their implications for Africa’s structural transformation.

Secondly, to sustain the successes of the past 30 years, governments need to tackle the inequalities that hurt the poorest and the most marginalized by implementing policies and allocating budgets to ensure the poor and the marginalized benefit from economic growth.

Africa also needs to invest in the production of high-quality statistical information and data.

In many countries, data systems remain poor – civil registration data are limited and surveys and censuses are not conducted on a regular basis.

“A data revolution in Africa would afford our continent to generate its own vibrant data to enable proper planning and better measurement of development outcomes, including the goals and objectives on population and development,” she said.

To support Africa’s transformation, ECA in partnership with UNFPA and the African Union has this year carried out a high-quality and evidence-based continental review of the implementation of the AADPD since 2014.

Its aim is to influence national policies on population and development.

Two decades after the historic Cairo population conference, Africa adopted the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development beyond 2014 which provides region-specific guidance for the full implementation of ICPD in Africa.

-@ncubeleon