By Josh Babb
Rabat – The report noted both Algeria and Morocco have included a significant number of SDGs, in their national environment and sustainable development strategies as well as their implementation frameworks. It highlighted, in particular, Morocco’s work to address food security and climate change.
The briefing also highlighted numerous challenges in the Maghreb countries, citing youth employment, climate change, food security, and industrial transition as complex challenges that need to be addressed.
When launched in 2015 the ECA outlined 17 goals to transform the world: no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequality, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace and justice in institutions, and finally, partnerships to achieve the goal.
The SDG report recommended that going forward, the countries take steps to align their national priorities with the SDG framework and further integrate partnerships between governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.
The UN’s ECA office in Tunisia released the report Friday, November 2, at the request of the Maghreb Arab Union to benchmark the Maghreb’s progress towards the goals set in 2015.
The report comes three years after the UN Commission laid out the original SDG framework and offers a preliminary assessment of how the Maghreb nations have put the plan into action. It specifically focuses on how the governments of the Maghreb have appropriated funds and integrated the SDG plans into their respective governing bodies.
