KAMPALA, UGANDA – Dr. Hillary Emmanuel Musoke Kisanja, Private Secretary to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has emphasized Uganda’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the UN Summit of the Future 2024.
In his address, Dr. Kisanja stressed the importance of global unity, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and intergenerational cooperation in tackling pressing global challenges such as poverty, disease, conflict, unemployment, migration, terrorism, and gender inequality.
“The global agenda for sustainability cannot be achieved or implemented without national leaders and global leaders,” Dr. Kisanja a renowned right-hand man of the President said, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts between governments, civil society, private sector partners, and international agencies.
He outlined five key principles guiding the summit including focusing on Sustainable Development and strengthening financing for development, International Peace and Security, enhancing Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital cooperation, focusing on Youth and Future Generations, and transforming Global Governance.
Dr. Musoke emphasized Uganda’s experience with youth empowerment and inclusivity, stressing that leaving the youth out of planning and decision-making is counter-productive.
“Multi-stakeholder partnerships are crucial for achieving the SDGs,” he said, citing examples of successful collaborations between governments, civil society, and private sector partners.
The Private Secretary to the President also emphasized the need for actionable commitments, an inclusive umbrella system, and intergenerational cooperation to ensure a sustainable future.
“The world needs greater cooperation than restrictions of cooperation to two or less states,” Dr. Musoke said, quoting the United Nations’ definition of multilateralism.
“The need for multilateralism is because of the understanding that the world needs greater cooperation than restrictions of cooperation to two or less states. Indeed the idea of the United Nations, a cooperation between hundreds of states and its predecessor the League of Nations strengthens the argument for a world where many states cooperate with each other,” said Dr. Kisanja drawing applause from delegates. “Our emphasis on multi-stakeholder partnerships in our deliberations over the next few days is principally because they are important and impactful. They are useful in resource mobilization. Such resources comprise technology, knowledge, financial, and expertise resources. A collaboration of such stakeholders can align policies towards shared goals. Multi-stakeholder partnerships also do lead to the sharing of knowledge, research, and technical support.”
He also highlighted the vulnerability of women and youth to wars, child trafficking, digital backwardness, education inequality, and limited access to land and family property.
In Uganda and Africa, women and youth face numerous challenges, including rape, defilement, and political manipulation. Dr. Musoke stressed that global policies must consider their impact on these vulnerable groups.
He criticized the egocentricity of world leaders, citing the thousands of deaths in Palestine and Ukraine. Dr. Kisanja also reflected on the creation of the League of Nations and the United Nations, questioning what went wrong in preventing countries from terrorizing weaker states.
He called for a diagnosis of current problems and the prescription of relevant solutions.
The summit sought to address peace, security, child trafficking, digital technologies, corporate governance, and economic development.
Dr. Kisanja noted that categorizing countries as first, second, or third world ignores the rich resources in developing nations, which instead rely on aid and loans.
He emphasized the importance of environmental protection and awareness, particularly in Africa. As Uganda co-hosts the summit with 55 African countries, Dr. Musoke thanked Dr. Tee Simpson, President of UN Women Association, for promoting agribusiness and unity.
He emphasized Uganda’s commitment to global peace, unity, youth, and women’s empowerment, under President Museveni’s leadership.
The UN Summit of the Future 2024 aims to accelerate progress toward achieving the 17 SDGs, which include eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring quality education and healthcare, promoting gender equality and empowerment, and addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
Uganda’s commitment to the SDGs is reflected in its National Development Plan, which prioritizes sustainable development, economic growth, and social transformation.
The summit’s outcome is expected to shape global development agendas and inspire renewed commitment to achieving the SDGs by 2030.
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