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The UN Resident Coordinator to Namibia says most countries are struggling to meet most of the Sustainable Development Goals targets, and the SADC region is no exception. 

Hopolang Phororo says achieving the SDGs would require more than just government action, but a collective effort from stakeholders and communities. 

Phororo made the remarks during a meeting with the Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (SABA) leadership in Windhoek.

The meeting looked at a partnership agreement on potential support for regional outreach and the tracking of SDG implementation. 

The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations in 2015 to address major global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and access to education and healthcare by 2030. 

"Clearly, we are behind on the SDGs globally, Namibia as well as the entire region, so the issue is, How are we going to accelerate the SDGs?" 

SABA President Stanley Similo highlighted the role the media plays when it comes to creating awareness about the SDGs and holding stakeholders accountable. 

"In terms of what we do, we are addressing the SGDs, but it's just that we are not communicating that, so I think this is where the partnership becomes important with those of you who are in the space of media and communicating, as the UN is part of us but not part of our core business, so we don't always do well with it, hence the partnership with SABA and country-level media." 
 
SABA currently has an audience of over 300 million people in 16 SADC member states, and its mission is to inform, educate, and empower the people of the southern African region by broadcasting relevant and impactful content. 

It has a news and current affairs TV bulletin called Eye on SADC and a radio programme called SADC 360. 

"What we are trying to do now is set up the SABA TV channel, which will be accessible in the region, and we have then been making moves with them to see how they can come on board and assist us with the funding because getting off the ground at this stage is the most challenging one." 

The two also agreed to look at ways to upskill the skills of journalists when it comes to covering and reporting SDG-related stories.

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July Nafuka