Accelerating SDGs in South Africa

In September 2023, South Africa’s Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) hosted a multi-stakeholder Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Dialogue in Pretoria, aiming to accelerate SDG achievement in South Africa by fostering partnerships and collaborations at national, regional, and international levels.

Diverse Stakeholders

Representatives from various sectors, including government departments, business, civil society, research institutions, and development partners gathered to explore strategies for building sustainable collaborations to address barriers and seize opportunities for accelerating SDGs.

The Urgent Need for a Paradigm Shift in Development

Participants emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in understanding development, with sustainability at the core, especially in financing developmental projects. The dialogue also emphasized the urgency of accelerating SDGs since only 12% of the 140 SDG targets are currently on track, and progress is weak or insufficient for more than 50% of the targets.

Greater Participation Required

The UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa underscored the potential of each SDG to inspire an implementable, measurable, and impactful business plan, highlighting the need for institutional, political, social, and financial support from all sectors.

SDGs and South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP)

As South Africa prepared to present a diagnostic report at the 2023 SDGs Summit in New York, Minister Ramokgopa highlighted the potential of SDGs to align with the NDP, emphasizing the critical role of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving the country’s development goals.

Developing Monitoring and Evaluation Systems

The Minister stressed the importance of developing monitoring and evaluation systems that link SDGs with South Africa’s broader development frameworks, including the African Union Agenda 2063, the NDP, and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF). These systems will help ensure synchronization in planning, interventions, and financing of development efforts across the country.

South Africa’s Role in Sustainable Development

South Africa has reasserted its influence in the global development discourse, and it is vital to leverage this power to advance developmental priorities, build a capable, ethical developmental state, and contribute to the shared prosperity of the African people. The outcomes of the 2023 SDG Summit will serve as a critical benchmark for the future of sustainable development in South Africa and beyond.