Windhoek
Poverty eradication must remain the central and overarching objective of the post-2015 development agenda, in order to transform the lives of the majority of people living in absolute poverty and to reinforce the commitment of
the international community to eradicating poverty in all its forms by 2030.
“It is Namibia’s strong view that the 2015 development agenda is an historic opportunity to eradicate extreme poverty and lead us to a world of prosperity, sustainability, equity and dignity for all,” said President Hage Geingob on Friday during the United Nations Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
“The agenda is also a major transformational shift that puts sustainable development at the core of the development
agenda, transforming economies to drive inclusive growth, building accountable institutions, ensure good governance and peaceful societies, and forges a new global partnership based on cooperation, equity and human rights,” he said. The UN Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and sustainable development goals (SDGs) was held from September 25 to 27 in New York and was convened as a high-level plenary
meeting of the UN General Assembly.
Noting that Namibia has declared all-out war on poverty, Geingob called for global recognition of poverty eradication as the greatest challenge facing humanity, for it to be effectively addressed and for the post- 2015 development agenda to deliver on this promise.
“Achieving an ambitious post-2015 development agenda, including all the strategic development goals, will require an equally ambitious, comprehensive, holistic, and transformative approach with respect to the means of implementation. This should be supported by effective, accountable and inclusive institutions, sound policies and
effective governance at all levels,” he said. Geingob said the Addis Ababa Action Agenda adopted in July should “anchor, reinvigorate and strengthen the financing for development, identify obstacles encountered for the achievement of the goals, and actions needed to overcome these constraints, as well as support and compliment the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.”
He added that as a member of the African Union, Namibia is convinced that the implementation of the African
Union’s Agenda 2063 will complement the realisation of the UN’s post-2015 development agenda. Geingob further called upon developed countries to meet and scale up their existing bilateral and multilateral official development assistance commitments in order to assist developing countries to meet the new development goals.
“Additional financial resources, foreign direct investment, official development assistance, as well as public and private finance, remain major sources of financing for poverty eradication and development,” he remarked.
Geingob concluded his address by saying the time to demonstrate the necessary political will and leadership to implement the post-2015 development agenda is now.
“It is our duty as leaders to do the right thing and address the issue of poverty eradication to ensure that no one is left behind. This is the best legacy we can collectively bequeath to prosperity,” he said.