Ghana is set to host the prestigious SDGs Action Summit 2024 under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Co-Chair of the UN Secretary General's Emeritus Group of SDGs Advocates.
The Summit, themed "From Mid-Point to Success - Recommitting, Scaling Up, and Accelerating Action on the SDGs," will convene on the 2nd and 3rd of July this year.
Announced during a press launch on Monday, June 24, 2024, organized by the SDGs Advisory Unit at the Office of the President, the event unveiled key details of the Summit and highlighted its crucial role in advancing sustainable development goals across Africa.
Special Advisor to President Akufo-Addo on the SDGs, Dr. Eugene Owusu, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the complex challenges facing Africa in achieving the SDGs. He cited climate change, regional conflicts, the enduring impacts of COVID-19, governance issues, and global governance structures as significant barriers.
“Ghana is positioned to play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges through the SDGs framework,” Dr. Owusu remarked. “We have abundant opportunities within the SDGs to foster inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring global peace, stability, prosperity, and environmental sustainability.”
The Summit, inspired by President Akufo-Addo’s leadership and his role as co-chair of the Emeritus Group of SDGs Advocates, aims to catalyze renewed commitment towards SDGs implementation. It precedes the UN Summit of the Future, signaling Ghana’s proactive stance in driving global discussions and actions on sustainable development.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, also spoke at the launch, highlighting the critical need for increased development finance to bolster SDGs initiatives. He stressed the urgency of accelerated efforts to meet the 2030 targets, cautioning against the severe consequences of inaction.
Partners such as the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) echoed the call for concerted action, emphasizing the Summit’s role in mobilizing stakeholders and forging partnerships to achieve tangible progress.
The SDGs Action Summit 2024 promises to unite global leaders, policymakers, and advocates including His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, business leader Patricia Poku-Diaby, and SDGs Advocate Hindou Ibrahim. Their participation underscores the collective commitment required to transform aspirations into impactful realities.