Gaborone: The African Economic Conference (AEC) 2024

The UNDP is the United Nations agency dedicated to international development. Operating in 170 countries and territories, the organization works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities globally. We assist countries in developing policies, enhancing leadership capacities, establishing partnerships, and building strong institutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our work focuses on six key areas, known as flagship solutions: poverty and inequalities, governance, resilience, environment, energy, and gender equality.

Mission and Vision

The UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, promote democratic governance, the rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change and connect countries with the knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to help people build better lives.

The Charter of the United Nations

The Charter of the United Nations was signed in San Francisco on June 26, 1945, and came into force on October 24, 1945. Its purposes and principles are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations based on equality and self-determination, and achieve international cooperation to address economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian issues, without distinction of race, sex, language, or religion.

History

The UNDP originated from the merger of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, established in 1949, and the United Nations Special Fund, created in 1958. The UNDP, as we know it today, was established in 1965 by the UN General Assembly.

The UNDP plays a crucial role in supporting countries’ efforts to build a more inclusive and sustainable future, actively contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Established in 1958 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is one of the UN’s five regional commissions. Its mission is to promote the economic and social development of African member states, strengthen regional integration, and foster international cooperation for the continent’s advancement.

With 54 member states, the ECA serves as both the UN’s regional arm in Africa and a key player within the continent’s institutional landscape. It mobilizes resources to address Africa’s priorities.

Core Functions of the ECA

The ECA contributes to the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 through three essential functions:

• Convening: Creating intergovernmental regional platforms to establish common policies and action frameworks.
• Think Tank: Producing multisectoral analyses that strengthen links among the pillars of sustainable development and encourage policy innovation.
• Operational: Providing strategic support to member states upon request, in collaboration with the UN system.

Mission and Strategic Orientations

The ECA’s mission is to advance an autonomous and prosperous Africa, guided by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. This mission focuses on five strategic priorities, including enhancing the ECA’s role as a knowledge hub, promoting policies for economic diversification, and advocating for Africa’s voice in global governance.

The ECA is led by an Executive Secretary, supported by two Deputy Executive Secretaries, coordinating actions towards a sustainable and inclusive Africa.

The overarching objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to poverty reduction.

The Bank Group achieves this objective by:

mobilizing and allocating resources for investment in RMCs; and
providing policy advice and technical assistance to support development efforts.
In 2015, all multilateral development institutions have agreed on a same set of objectives, called the Sustainable Development Goals. They are:

Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development