The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has called for urgent measures to close global financing gaps and foster inclusive innovation systems, as the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) kicked off this week.
Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the ECA, underscored this message while moderating a high-level town hall session focused on accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "Digital tools and mission-driven science can indeed speed up SDG delivery," Gatete stated, "but only if these systems are inclusive and backed by substantial, real-world financing."
The session, aptly titled "Unlocking the Means of Implementation: Finance, Science, Technology, and Innovation for the SDGs," brought together influential figures from both public and private sectors. The core objective was to explore how global commitments can translate into tangible solutions, examining how capital flows, technological advancements, and policy frameworks can better champion sustainable development.
Panelists, including Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact; Robbert Dijkgraaf, President-Elect of the International Science Council; and Robert Kirkpatrick, Chairman of the Board of the United Cities Foundation, collectively stressed the critical need to scale up investment, adopt innovative financing models, and build truly inclusive systems. A recurring theme was the urgency of translating technological and scientific innovation into concrete results, especially in regions like Africa grappling with significant development disparities.
In a separate session dedicated to poverty eradication, Gatete further highlighted the necessity of grounding policy and investment decisions in more precise, integrated data systems. "We can’t end poverty if we can’t measure it accurately," he asserted during the event, co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the UN, UNDP, and the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN), among other partners. He advocated for a crucial shift: "It’s time to shift from measuring what’s convenient to measuring what matters."
To this end, Gatete drew attention to the ECA's pioneering work on a prototype Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) dashboard designed specifically for African countries. This innovative platform integrates spatial poverty data with crucial information on climate vulnerability, migration trends, peace and security dynamics, and even subnational budget execution. The goal is to equip governments with a far more comprehensive picture, enabling them to strategically allocate resources and enhance social protection programs.
As the HLPF continues throughout the week, Gatete and the ECA remain steadfast in championing Africa's priorities on the global stage, advocating tirelessly for fairer financing mechanisms, smarter developmental tools, and a more equitable and inclusive path towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.