Mr. President, Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a true honor to address you today at the 16th Pan-African Ministerial Forum on the Modernization of Public Administration and State Institutions. The theme:  “The role of leadership in implementing responsible public governance, in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals and the emergence of African nations,” resonates deeply with our mission at UNDP, as we view the SDGs as powerful instruments for modernizing public administration and shaping the future of governance across the continent.

Today, I wish to reflect on both our progress and the prospects ahead as we assess the role of the SDGs in transforming public institutions and conversely, the role of public administration as an accelerator for SDG achievement.

Allow me first to thank CAFRAD, established in 1964 in Morocco as the oldest pan-African institution dedicated to strengthening public administration and governance across the continent, for convening this critical platform and for inviting UNDP to contribute to this dialogue. 

I also wish to commend the Kingdom of Morocco for its constant, enduring engagement to providing platforms, spaces, and networks for countries to connect, share and learn around development challenges and solutions, be it through CAFRAD, the 4C Morocco dialogue platform on climate change, and so many other initiatives. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We gather at a decisive moment. We have less than five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 launched yesterday reminds us of progress and challenges across all continents. Over the past decade, millions of lives have improved through gains in health, education, energy, and digital connectivity. Yet the report also underscores that the pace of change remains far too slow. This is not merely a ticking clock on a global agenda, it is a direct call to action for us to drive institutional change that delivers real results for people.

SGDs progress status in Africa

Excellencies,

At the same time, the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025, launched yesterday, shows that even amid cascading global crises, remarkable progress has been achieved worldwide. New HIV infections have declined by nearly 40 per cent since 2010. Malaria prevention has averted 2.2 billion cases and saved 12.7 million lives since 2000. Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population, a significant leap from just a decade ago. Since 2015, 110 million more children and youth have entered school. Child marriage is declining, with more girls remaining in education and women making gains in parliamentary representation. Access to electricity has reached 92 per cent of the world’s population, and internet use has soared from 40 per cent in 2015 to 68 per cent in 2024, unlocking new opportunities for education, jobs, and civic participation. Conservation efforts have doubled the protection of key ecosystems, bolstering global biodiversity resilience.

Yet, the same report delivers hard truths. Only 35% of SDGs targets are on track or moving at moderate pace in the right direction. 18% are moving backwards. Over 800 million people still live in extreme poverty. Billions continue to lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Climate change pushed 2024 to become the hottest year on record, with temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. Conflicts caused nearly 50,000 deaths last year, and over 120 million people were forcibly displaced. Debt burdens have reached record highs for low- and middle-income countries, with $1.4 trillion in debt servicing costs in 2023.

These global dynamics inevitably shape Africa’s prospects. 

We all know that Africa stands at a crossroads, as the continent made undeniable progress in many areas, but also faces significant obstacles. The 2024 Africa Sustainable Development Report (African Union, African Development Bank, UNDP, UNECA) tells us that less than 6 percent of measurable SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030 across the continent. Without accelerated action, an estimated 492 million Africans could fall into extreme poverty by the end of this decade.

The gaps are stark. Critical data is still remains missing, particularly for SDG 16, which focuses on governance and institutions, a cornerstone for sustainable development. Without strong administrative systems, governments risk becoming incapacitated, and SDG implementation remains limited, especially at local levels where it matters most.

Africa’s journey toward achieving the SDGs and the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 remains uneven. We see encouraging progress in some regions and stagnation or setback in others. For example, while North Africa shows relative progress in some areas, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face significant challenges in eradicating poverty and ensuring access to affordable energy. These challenges are deeply interconnected, leaving more than half of African population without access to basic services and millions vulnerable to food insecurity. Response to SDG localization is still very low due to capacity challenges within local authorities and administrative systems, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, coupled with limited resources.

These global and regional trends remind us that, if we have SDG on our mind, public governance today cannot simply be about managing systems as they exist, it must be about transforming them. This is precisely where leadership becomes decisive. Overall, to realize meaningful progress on SDGs in Africa, accelerated efforts are needed, particularly in climate action, poverty alleviation, and good governance. Specifically, improving and modernizing public and local administrative units for SDG localization is crucial to meet the 2030 targets. 

Africa has the talent, the knowledge, and the potential to drive transformative change. The path ahead is steep, but it is not insurmountable. Through strengthened cooperation and bold leadership, Africa can deliver on the promise of the SDGs and the aspirations of Agenda 2063, for the benefit of all its population, and for the future of our shared world.

Why are SDGs instruments of transformation

The SDGs offer more than a checklist of global aspirations. They are a powerful framework for transforming how governments function and how institutions deliver for people.

First, the SDGs demand an integrated vision and long-term planning. They compel us to break down the silos between ministries and sectors. We must design policies that connect economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability into a coherent whole.

Second, the SDGs insist on governance and institutional effectiveness. SDG 16 focuses on building institutions that are transparent, accountable, and inclusive. This means ensuring that public institutions serve all citizens fairly, efficiently, and transparently, earning people’s trust and engagement.

Third, the SDGs depend on robust data and monitoring systems. Without reliable data, we cannot make informed decisions or measure progress. Investing in statistical systems is not a technical luxury, it is a political necessity.

Fourth, the SDGs drive digital transformation. Digital tools are no longer optional; they are essential for modern governance. They can improve service delivery, enhance transparency, and bring citizens closer to their governments. Yet, significant gaps remain in digital infrastructure and access across our countries. Our task is to ensure that this digital revolution reaches every corner of society.

Finally, the SDGs elevate citizen participation to the heart of governance. People must be partners in shaping policies, not mere recipients. This requires administrations that listen, respond, and adapt to the realities on the ground.

Financing the SDGs

No transformation can succeed without sustainable financing. This is one of the greatest challenges Governments face on the African continent.

Public budgets are stretched thin. Innovative financing tools remain underdeveloped. Debt burdens and limited domestic resource mobilization constrain fiscal space for investment in sustainable development.

Yet there is room for optimism. Africa’s domestic resource potential is significant, especially through value chains in agriculture and natural resources. But realizing this potential requires tax reform, digitalization of revenue collection, and strategic management of debt.

Integrated National Financing Frameworks, or INFFs, are proving to be vital tools. They help governments align all sources of finance, public and private, domestic and external, with national development plans and the SDGs. UNDP is working closely with several African countries to implement these frameworks, ensuring that every dollar is invested where it can deliver the greatest impact for SDGs.

Challenges in African public institutions

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

These SDG imperatives also shed light on the fact that we must also acknowledge and remedy to the challenges within public administration institutions.

Fragmentation remains a serious obstacle. Too often, ministries operate independently in a siloed approach, pursuing separate priorities with little coordination. This results in duplicated efforts, conflicting policies, and wasted resources. Breaking down these silos is essential for modern, effective governance and for SDG achievement.

Institutional capacity constraints persist. Many countries face shortages of skilled personnel for planning, implementation, and monitoring. This lack of technical capacity on vital crosscutting areas impedes the alignment of national development plans with SDG targets.

Political instability in several regions compounds these difficulties. Conflicts disrupt service delivery, displace millions, and divert scarce resources from development to crisis response. Fragile states struggle to maintain basic administrative functions, let alone implement ambitious reforms.

Climate change adds yet another layer of complexity. African nations in particular, face some of the most severe impacts of global warming, including droughts, floods, and extreme weather events that threaten lives, livelihoods, and development gains.

Finally, demographic pressure from Africa’s fast-growing youth population presents both opportunities and risks. It can be a powerful driver of growth, but only if we can offer young people pathways to education, employment, and participation in society.

Enablers for change and transformation:

Yet among all these challenges, there are clear pathways forward.

First, political leadership remains the most powerful enabler of change. High-level political commitment can establish long-term institutional frameworks that transcend electoral cycles and guarantee continuity of reform. Leadership is not only about vision, but also about implementation, accountability, and results.

Second, institutional integration is essential. Establishing effective SDG-minded coordination offices with the authority to convene ministries, align budgets, and resolve policy conflicts, and the trade-offs of development policy choices, is crucial for joined-up government efforts towards the SDGs.

Third, multi-stakeholder partnerships must be deepened. Sustainable development cannot be delivered by governments alone. We need partnerships with international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society, academia, and local communities. These partnerships foster innovation, mobilize resources, and ensure that development is inclusive and equitable.

Fourth, the power of data! To effectively track progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, several countries have made efforts towards strengthening institutional capacities, enhancing statistical systems, and improving data management. Despite those efforts, challenges remain, especially investing in data governance and institutional capacities. The weak administrative and coordination mechanisms, coupled with a lack of necessary infrastructure and technological support, still complicate tracking SDG progress in many African countries.

Tools and methods for monitoring SDGs implementation in Africa

Amplify that to effectively track progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, the following tools are essential:

·        SDG Data Trackers: These tools support coordination mechanisms for monitoring SDG progress.

·        Voluntary National Review Reports (VNRs) and Voluntary Local Review Reports (VLRs): These reporting tools promote structured feedback on SDG progress through established institutional coordination frameworks, steering SDG implementation, and review.

·        Digital Technologies and E-Government Initiatives: Leveraging these technologies is vital to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and enhance transparency in monitoring SDG implementation.

·        Anti-Corruption Measures: Enforcing anti-corruption legislation and promoting ethical conduct within public services, along with tracking budgetary allocations, support the implementation of SDG-related activities.

Fourth, digital infrastructure is a non-negotiable enabler. Integrated government platforms, citizen service portals, and real-time monitoring dashboards can transform governance. But digital transformation requires regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity, and widespread digital literacy to ensure it benefits all citizens.

Fifth, South-South cooperation offers powerful opportunities for peer learning and shared innovation. African countries can learn from each other’s successes and avoid repeating mistakes, accelerating progress across the continent.

And last but not least, integrated financial frameworks which are SDG-aligned, bridge public and private investment, and create transparent partnership platforms, are essential.

UNDP’s Commitment and Initiatives

At UNDP, we stand ready to support you on this transformative journey. We do this together, through our field presence, helping countries find not UNDP’s own, but their own solutions for development. Globally, we advocate for what we call the “3-I” approach to public sector transformation, Inclusion, Integrity, and Innovation.

• Inclusion means ensuring that the voices and needs of women, young people, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities are reflected in policies and institutions.

• Integrity means building transparent, accountable institutions that earn public trust and fight corruption.

• Innovation means embracing new technologies and creative solutions to tackle complex challenges, in an integrated manner.

Together with UN DESA, UNDP co-leads the FutureGov platform, an initiative under the UN Secretary-General’s High Impact Initiatives. FutureGov is designed to share knowledge, accelerate progress on the SDGs by strengthening public sector capabilities, and offer online training for civil servants. I invite you all to visit futuregov.org to explore this platform.

We are also supporting governments with specialized programmes like AI for Governments, helping public officials understand how artificial intelligence can improve governance, citizen engagement, and public service delivery.

Moreover, the Women Digital Champions Programme is helping close the gender gap in digital spaces, ensuring women’s equal participation in digital transformation within public administrations.

Regionally, UNDP’s Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) Initiative, on which Morocco is showing exceptional support and leadership by its decision to host a D4SD Hub, is designed to support cooperation between countries, including in the Africa region, for developing inclusive digital policies, building digital literacy, fostering public-private partnerships, and promoting regional collaboration. 

In Morocco, UNDP and the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform are working together towards strengthening digital public services, advancing responsible AI use, and improving citizen engagement through technology. This is the kind of forward-looking partnerships we need across the continent.

Excellencies, Ministers, colleagues,

The SDGs and the modernization of public administration are two sides of the same coin. We cannot achieve the SDGs without modern, effective institutions. And modernization, in turn, must be guided by the SDGs so it remains inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.

We face enormous challenges, but also enormous opportunities. With political will, strong institutions, innovative solutions, and dedicated partnerships, Africa can chart a path toward sustainable development that leaves no one behind.

A modern public administration is not an end in itself. It is the engine that must drive Africa toward realizing its aspirations for prosperity, peace, and resilience.

The final five years to 2030 present an opportunity to deliver on the promises of the SDGs.  The 2030 Agenda is not aspirational; it is non-negotiable. 

As Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, so rightly said as the 2025 global SDG report was launched yesterday in NY: “This is not a moment for despair, but for determined action. We have the knowledge, tools, and partnerships to drive transformation. What we need now is urgent multilateralism, a recommitment to shared responsibility and sustained investment.”

At UNDP, we not only wholeheartedly share this conviction. 

Excellencies, 

Collectively, we know what needs to be done. We have expertise and networks. Now, it is up to us: to you as leaders, and to us as your trusted partners, to translate this knowledge and hope into accelerated action and results for people.

UNDP remains devoted in its commitment to walk this journey with you.

I thank you for your attention, and again, humbled by the invitation to be here with you today.