AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION
Summary Report of ‘The SDGs: Towards the 2025 Partnership Forum of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)’ (October/22/2024)
.by: Dr. Uzodinma ADIRIEJE1
1Adirieje, Uzodinma. Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA)
Afrihealth Optonet Association Rallies Global Stakeholders to Fast-Track SDGs Ahead of 2030 Deadline https://dareakogun.com/afrihealth-optonet-association-rallies-global-stakeholders-to-fast-track-sdgs-ahead-of-2030-deadline/
Global Partners Rally For Sustainable Development At Afrihealth Optonet Forum https://theinvestigator.ng/2024/10/global-partners-rally-for-sustainable-development-at-afrihealth-optonet-forum/
QUICK RECAP
The Event, convened and organized by the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), focused on the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to people’s lives, with a particular emphasis on good health, poverty reduction, quality education, climate actions and gender equality. Participants included representatives from Nigeria, The Bahamas, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, Yemen, India, Rwanda, Kenya, Nepal, Malawi, Rwanda, Ghana, Zambia, Colombia, Somalia, Cameroon, Togo, and Tanzania. The team also discussed the need for a more comprehensive and detailed approach to their project, with a focus on understanding the stakeholder’s needs and pain points, and the importance of effective communication and collaboration. The conversation ended with discussions on the progress and challenges of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the upcoming ECOSOC Partnership Forum, and the need for advocacy, social mobilization, and resource mobilization to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
The Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is a global-level and community-focused Network/Think-tank of civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-state actors (NSA) on Health, Biodiversity, Climate Actions and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Established in 1997 and incorporated in 2003, the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) has teams/chapters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 36 States of Nigeria. With more than 2,700 (Two Thousand, Seven Hundred) organizations from 119 (One Hundred and Nineteen) countries as its members, and a Google Group of over 42,000 members globally Health, Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, AHOA has become a third-sector global player, partner, project/programme developer, implementer, monitor and reporter on the measures needed to achieve and safeguard them.
AHOA is committed to exploring the nexus between Health (UHC, PHC, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, Mpox, Hepatitis, NTDs, NCDs, Vaccines, Vitamin/Mineral Deficiencies or Hidden Hunger, and COVID-19); Environment, Ecosystems, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Climate Change; Nutrition and Food Security; Gender, Democracy, Good Governance, and Human Rights. AHOA is in Consultative Status at UN ECOSOC, accredited Observer status at UNEP/UNEA, and approved by the African Development Bank (AfDB). Its application to the UNFCCC is awaiting approval/admission. AHOA is the GCSCCC’s lead organization and secretariat of the African Network of Civil Society Organizations (ANCSO) and the Global Consortium of Civil Society and Non-State Actors on Climate Change and Conference of Parties (GCSCCC)
PRINCESS ADEJOKE’S PROFILE AND CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje presented the profile of Her Excellency Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Sustainable Development Goals. Princess Adejoke has a long history of public service, including serving as a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Electoral Commissioner, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and Deputy Governor of Lagos State. She has also received numerous awards for her contributions to women’s and children’s rights, and has been recognized for her efforts in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.
AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, CEO of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), welcomed everyone to the event and introduced the senior special assistant to the President of Nigeria on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Dr. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR. The agenda for the meeting included the presentation of the preliminary findings made by AHOA about the SDGs of preferential interest by stakeholders across 119 (one hundred and nineteen) countries where AHOA’s members exist, which is a research project under the ‘Destination 2030 SDGs Programme’ promoted by Afrihealth. Dr. Adirieje also mentioned a study result that would be discussed during the meeting. The United Nations 2025 Partnership Forum was also mentioned, scheduled to take place in February next year.
SDGs AND GOOD HEALTH DISCUSSION
The meeting was primarily about reviewing and discussing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to the participants’ work. Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, representing the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), welcomed and introduced various participants, including representatives from Nigeria, The Bahamas, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, Yemen, India, Rwanda, Kenya, Nepal, Malawi, Rwanda, Ghana, Zambia, Colombia, Somalia, Cameroon, Togo, and Tanzania. The meeting also recognized the representation of Her Excellency, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.
STIMULATING INTEREST IN THE ‘SDGs’ AND ENGAGEMENT AMONG THE POPULATIONS
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje from Afrihealth Optonet Association discussed the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program in Africa, particularly as the deadline of 2030 approaches. He highlighted the need to take the SDGs from the offices to the hamlets to create understanding and knowledge about them. He also presented a rapid assessment of people’s interests in each SDG, revealing that the top 5 SDGs people are most interested in are related to poverty, good health, climate action, gender equality, and quality education. On the other hand, the least engaged SDGs are related to responsible consumption and production, life below water, and sustainable cities and communities. Dr. Adirieje emphasized the importance of understanding why people are more interested in certain SDGs, as they directly affect them.
SDGs RELEVANCE AND URGENT ACTION
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje from Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) discussed the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to people’s lives. He highlighted that while people are interested in good health, poverty reduction, quality education, and gender equality, they are not as concerned with industry, innovation, infrastructure, and life below water. He emphasized the need for urgent action to ensure knowledge about SDGs is universally available, particularly to community people and non-state actors. He also stressed the importance of industrialization, innovation, and infrastructure for poverty reduction and good health.
NIGERIA’S PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
In her address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the SDGs (SSAP-SDGs) represented by Dr. Bala Yusuf Yunusa, mni, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to speak to the group. She congratulated the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) for organizing the ECOSOC Partnership Forum Event, and acknowledged AHOA’s “continuous leadership in this Policy domain”. The SSAP-SDGs discussed the progress and challenges of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. He highlighted the establishment of the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and the integration of the SDGs into national and sub-national development policies. Dr. Bala also mentioned the key outcomes of the 2023 United Nations Secretary General SDG Summit, including the 6 transition pathways for member countries to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs. He emphasized the need for stakeholders to contribute to the prioritization of these transitions for effective implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria. Dr. Bala also noted the global progress on SDGs, with only 17% of targets on track, and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and growing climate chaos. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and expressed hope for closer collaboration in achieving the SDGs in Nigeria and globally.
‘ECOSOC’ PARTNERSHIP FORUM AND SDGs
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje from Afrihealth Optonet Association discussed the upcoming ECOSOC Partnership Forum scheduled for February 5, 2025. The forum will focus on advancing sustainable, inclusive science and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Adirieje sought comments and positions from the participants on this focus. Dr. Sudhir from India, founder and director of SDG Brigade, India, shared his organization’s work on achieving SDG 2030 and their approach to systemic and strategic efforts, institutional ownership, collaborative competition, capacity building, and a whole-of-society approach. Dr. Adirieje expressed appreciation for Dr. Sudhir’s work and encouraged further discussion on advancing sustainable, inclusive science and evidence-based solutions.
PROMOTING THE ‘SDGs’ THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje from Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) emphasized the importance of promoting partnership and collaboration among various sectors to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. He highlighted the need for advocacy, social mobilization, and resource mobilization to engage communities and promote the SDGs. Dr. Adirieje also stressed the importance of capacity development, particularly for community leaders, to influence and educate others about the SDGs. He underscored the need for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the SDGs to ensure their achievement.
AHOA’s ‘SDGs’ PLANS AND EDUCATION
Ms. Hicks suggests incorporating SDG education into school curricula to engage youth from an early age. Kristine from Good Health Community Programs in Kenya shares her organization’s efforts to advocate for increased county health budgets, immunization funding, and HIV programs for adolescents. Blessing also begins to provide her perspective before the transcript ends.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND NEXT STEPS
1. Afrihealth Optonet Association to share detailed findings of the Destination 2030 Sustainable Development Goals study with participants.
2. All participants to advocate for integrating SDGs into school curricula to increase youth awareness and engagement.
3. Afrihealth Optonet Association to organize outreach programs to communities and hard-to-reach areas to promote SDG awareness and understanding.
4. All participants to promote partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders at all levels to advance sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 agenda.
5. Afrihealth Optonet Association to develop capacity building programs for community leaders to influence and educate others about SDGs.
6. All participants to enhance grassroots awareness and sensitization efforts on SDGs, avoiding over-assumption of public knowledge.
7. Civil Society Organizations and Non-State Actors should be supported to promote the six transition pathways to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs, and contribute to the prioritization of these transitions for effective implementation of the SDGs in all countries and among all populations;
8. Governments, Multilateral Agencies and Philanthropies should support systemic and strategic efforts, institutional ownership, collaborative competition, capacity building, and a whole-of-society approach towards achieving the SDGs;
9. The SDGs should be incorporated into the Education and School curricula to engage youth from an early age.; and
10. Efforts must continue to advocate for increased county budgets for the implementation of projects/interventions that address the SDGs.
CONCLUSION
It is imperative that the world needs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the survival of all humanity. The 2025 ECOSOC Partnership Forum, and the Afrihealth Optonet Association’s ‘Destination 2030 SDGs Programme’ are important efforts toward achiving the SDGs; which deserve the support and accountability of all development partners and stakeholders.
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, CMC, CMTF, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FAHOA
Health Economist; Certified Evaluation and Projects/Programmes Management Consultant; Conferences and Workshops Organizing Expert; Researcher; Health/Development, Climate Change/Biodiversity and Human Rights Advocate; Facilitator/Trainer; Blogger; Writer/Columnist
CEO & Permanent Representative to the United Nations,
Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) – CSOs Global Network and Think-tank for Health, Climate Actions and Development (Winner of the SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing Champion Award). <https://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com/2024/03/about-afrihealth-optonet-association.html>
National Chairman, Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development in Nigeria (CSPDN)
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