Yaoundé: Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the African Development Bank
In collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, the Regional Office of the African Development Bank Group for Central Africa will celebrate 60 years of commitment and investment in the economic and social development of African countries on October 17, 2024, in Yaoundé. This event will highlight the significant contributions of the Bank Group to Cameroon in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, health, and education, all with a direct and lasting impact on the living conditions of the population.
Presided over by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, and with the presence of the Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, who is also the Governor of the Bank, this celebration will bring together key economic and social stakeholders, international partners, and beneficiaries of Bank-funded projects. Participants will have the opportunity to discover flagship projects of the Bank aimed at improving access to electricity, developing roads and bridges to facilitate regional trade, and initiatives for food security and access to quality healthcare services.
Panels composed of high-level authorities and experts will address themes central to the challenges of accelerating development in Cameroon and Central Africa.
Key Themes of the Celebration Include:
- Partnership and Impact of the Bank: Highlighting investments and achievements that have contributed to transforming the Cameroonian economy and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
- Green Transition and Digitalization: Supporting the shift towards a more dynamic and efficient economy.
- Regional Integration: Emphasizing the Bank’s central role in developing regional infrastructure to facilitate intra-African trade and market integration.
- Inclusive Development and Capacity Building: Showcasing the African Development Bank’s initiatives for social inclusion and the empowerment of youth and women, contributing to building a fairer and more resilient society.
- Challenges Ahead for a Stronger Bank and a More Resilient and Prosperous Central Africa: Looking forward to the next 10, 20, and 30 years by anticipating and addressing the structural challenges faced by Cameroon and the region.
Organizer
Cameroon, located in Central Africa, is a country rich in cultural diversity and natural resources. Its government is committed to promoting economic and social development to improve the well-being of its population.
Structure of the Government: The Cameroonian government is organized around several ministries responsible for various sectors, ranging from the economy to health, education, and the environment. Each ministry plays a key role in implementing public policies and managing state affairs.
Government Priorities: The priorities of the Cameroonian government include:
- Economic Development: Improving infrastructure and supporting local initiatives.
- Education and Training: Increasing access to education and strengthening vocational training.
- Public Health: Strengthening health systems to ensure universal access to care.
- Sustainability and Environment: Promoting sustainable agriculture and responsible management of natural resources.
The government of Cameroon is determined to collaborate with various partners to achieve its development goals and enhance the quality of life for its citizens. This approach aims to strengthen the resilience and prosperity of the country.
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
