Health, Education ‘Cornerstones of Sustainable, Equitable Development’, Deputy Secretary-General Says at Launch of Evaluation Reports

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message for the launch of the reports of the Independent Evaluation of Sustainable Develop Goals (SDGs) 3 and 4, in Abuja, Nigeria today:

Vice-President of the Republic of Nigeria, Honourable Ministers, Governors, excellencies, friends and colleagues, it is my great pleasure to address the launch of two vital reports which highlight the progress made by Nigeria in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Allow me to first thank my sister Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the SDGs, as well as the United Nations country team, for organizing this important and timely event.

As evidenced by the reports, Nigeria recognizes that health and education are cornerstones of sustainable and equitable development.  Progress in these areas is crucial to build resilience to global shocks and weather the multiple crises the world is confronting.

Strengthening the Nigerian health-care system is key to be better prepared for current and future pandemics.  And the report sheds a light on key priority areas to do so, including improving the governance and accountability of the health-care programmes across the country.

The report is also very timely as the recommendations on education align with the focus areas of the Transforming Education Summit, including on inclusive and equitable education, especially for girls, safe and healthy schools, foundational skills and lifelong learning, digital skills and education financing.

I encourage you all to swiftly turn — these recommendations into action so that we can accelerate our implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  With the support of the United Nations, we can now improve policy formulation, implement better decisions, more accurately and effectively assign budgets, and fulfil our promise to leave no one behind.

I congratulate Nigeria for the progress identified in the report.  Let these results serve as a catalyst for even greater achievements.  I hope today’s event will boost our collective efforts to meet the development aspirations of the Nigerian people.

Thank you.