As part of the commitments to support rapid progress of Africa’s sustainable development, over 200 global leaders in government, business, academia and civil society will be in Kigali, on Friday, to launch the Sustainable Development Goals Centre for Africa (SDGC/A) headquarters.

The launch is part of the centre’s "Expediting the Implementation of Africa’s 2030” international conference scheduled to take place at Kigali Convention Centre.

SDGC/A was established by world leaders following the signing of the historic agreement on sustainable development during the UN General Assembly in September 2015.

The Director-General of (SDGC/A), Dr Belay Begashaw, told The New Times by e-mail that the conference will discuss ideas and cutting-edge technology and offer a platform for African nations to build on these issues.

"The centre is not a substitute to countries in the continent’s activities, but provides technical back stopping, to do research and adaptation to technology, to expert views and policymakers – to build views on SDGs,” he said.

The SDGC/A meeting will also discuss how best Africa can achieve the SDGs by 2030 and the major themes relevant to SDG implementation in Africa.

Begashaw said SDGs are not the task of governments alone, but requires the commitment of the general population to achieve.

"The centre, by itself, is not meant to implement the SDGs but strives to support technical innovation and issues, the planning process, as well as external and internal support in investments, which involves representatives from Africa in different forums where dialogue and discussion on the SDGs are happening,” he said.

The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa is an autonomous international organisation that provides technical support, and expertise as input to national governments, private sector, civil society, academic institutions to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs agenda across the continent.

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