President Paul Kagame on Monday chaired the 3rd board meeting for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Center for Africa, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly taking place in New York.

The center currently established in Kigali, Rwanda aims to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all parts of Africa.

 President Kagame said Rwanda is honoured to undertake the role. 

In his opening remarks, President Kagame called on Heads of State and board members present to recommit their support towards the SDG Center for Africa, emphasising the need to put at the forefront the continent's common development goals.

"The Global Goals add value to our respective national development plans, and Africa’s efforts to foster inclusive growth and prosperity. We are keen to work closely with all of you, to mobilise the support, commitment and enthusiasm needed,for Africa to maximise the benefits of this important agreement," he said.

The President also took note of the pivotal role each country's citizens and private sector must play in spearheading the success of the Center and its ambitious development goals.

"Citizen ownership and involvement, gender equality, increased collaboration with the private sector, and technology, particularly Internet broadband, are key to accelerating progress. But we have a lot to share, about what works in improving the lives of our citizens. We also want to learn from innovations and successes in other sectors, and other parts of the world,” President Kagame said.

Members of SDG Center for Africa Board present at the meeting included President Patrice Talon of Benin, President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, President Alpha Conde of Guinea Conakry, Jeffrey Sachs & Business leader Aliko Dangote, co-chair of the board.

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