New strategies are required for Africa's complete development.
As a result, the 2023 United Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa will explore innovative solutions for Africa's developmental challenges.
The four-day meeting will explore innovative approaches that harness foresight and technology to reclaim Africa's development trajectory as well as assess progress made towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
At the meeting, the Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, highlighted some of the achievements since last year's cluster get-together.
These include leveraging Africa's resources for the continent, optimising investment in technology and innovation, promoting regional integration through the AfCFTA, and investing in mitigation and adaptation to the impact of climate change on the African continent.
"UNDP has set the standard by awakening the world to a new possibility to finance Africa's resource-based development strategies and will impact the reform of the global financial architecture. Even in new areas like carbon markets, UNDP is strengthening the ability of African governments to identify, valorize, and better negotiate their carbon assets. And on mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts, thanks to your work, the Africa Mini Grids Programme and related investments have already extended renewable energy access to 20 million more people."
Also speaking at the event was Jenelly Matundu, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
"While we acknowledge the challenges ahead, we also recognise the tremendous potential that emerges when nations collaborate under a common vision for progress. It is therefore my hope that this gathering fosters open and constructive dialogue, drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience within this room. Together, we can strengthen our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that our collective efforts leave a lasting impact on the lives of those we strive to uplift."