African leaders call for better vision for African development agenda

A congregation of about 400 leaders from the South African government, United Nations Development Programme and other regional leaders recently came  together  for the Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Deveopment  2017. The Forum was to discuss Sustainable Development  and the  methods needed to accelerate innovations to end poverty, reduce inequalities, address climate change and achieve a healthy and prosperous society in Africa.

“All of us gathered at the Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development must serve to fashion a sharper message of hope, a more convincing response of action and signal our responsiveness; mindful and eminently aware of that better world we so desperately desire and which we promised. It’s about establishing virtuous cycles for development in our respective spheres. The UN SDGs, Agenda 2063 and our very own National Development Plan Vision 2030 demands nothing less.”

said Jeffrey Radebe, minister for planning, monitoring and evaluation.

With about 30 different countries in attendance a number of important  issues were discussed regarding the economic opportunities for business within the agenda , with a special focus on the technology and agriculture sectors.

“The Sustainable Development Goals and South Africa’s National Development Plan provide a framework for individual company responses to pressing socioeconomic issues, and for partnerships with government, labour and civil society organisations,”

commented Joanne Yawitch, CEO, NBI South Africa.

“It is important that business identifies what the SDG opportunities are, mobilises the required capital, and invests in the innovations that are necessary for sustained and more inclusive growth.”

“Assessing where we stand and how we progress further two years after the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals is critically important. The Responsible Business Forum offers a unique platform for companies like Syngenta, and the public sector, to come together to make these goals a reality. I am excited to see the forum come to Africa for the first time and I look forward to seeing outcomes tailored to the incredible potential of this region.”

concludes Andrew McConville from  agribusiness leader Syngenta.