Through regional and continental as well as global institutions, leaders introduce both short and long term objectives. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030 by the United Nations and also Agenda 2063 ‘Africa We Want’ by the African Union are some of the prominent set objectives that world leaders put their hands on in order to achieve them.
Realizing a desired objective, leadership wisdom and idea creation are the driving machines to get to the point. To this end, cultivating leaders that can create a better idea and action should be the query that needs to be answered. Again, platforms that can support the cultivation process should be built.
Recently, the United Nations (UN) and the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX) have signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate in advancing academic and thought leadership and the production and exchange of ideas to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ethiopia and the wider African context.
During the signing ceremony, Ramiz Alakbarov (Ph.D.), United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, and Mr. Zadig Abreha, Chief of the African Leadership Excellence Academy, represented the two parties to sign the Letter of Intent.
According to the press release, the two parties will collaborate on the six major transformative entry points with the potential for catalytic and multiplier effects on the SDGs, significantly contributing to their achievement. These entry points encompass: food systems, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The collaboration will also involve close cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Development and sectoral ministries.
Enhancing the capacity and skills of civil servants and other stakeholders in social policies jointly is the key aspect of the collaboration included in the agreement. This effort will concentrate on areas such as planning, communication, idea generation, and fostering a culture of dialogue. The ultimate aim is to nurture a new generation of transformative leaders who will champion the achievement of the SDGs in Ethiopia and Africa.
Addressing the significance of the collaboration, as to the press release, Ramiz Alakbarov stated, “This partnership will serve as a framework for identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders who must lead Ethiopia’s development narrative, particularly with a focus on young people and marginalized groups. Leadership grounded in the African context and aspirations are indispensable for realizing the SDGs in Africa.”
AFLEX Chief Mr. Zadig Abreha on his part said, “AFLEX aspires to become a place where academic rigor meets worldliness. Also, here in AFLEX we aspire to become bridge builders amongst the academia, civil society, the public and private sector, the leaders of African countries, generation of African leaders and Africa and the globe. With this view in mind, together with institutions like the UN systems we will work towards generating world class leaders for both Ethiopia and the continent at large. And with this effort, we can safely say that we can achieve agenda 2064 and SDGs. In doing so, Africa shall make 22nd century a truly African century!”
“We are grateful for the kind assistance and unparalleled commitment exhibited by Dr. Ramiz for the inking of this pioneering letter of intent which I would rather name it as a memorandum of action. I would like to express my deep gratitude for the invaluable support and unwavering dedication displayed by Dr. Ramiz in the process of formalizing this groundbreaking letter of intent, which I believe is more fittingly referred to as a memorandum of action,” added Zadig.
By the same token, Leulseged Tadesse, Director General of International Organizations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told The Ethiopian Herald exclusively that Africa needs leaders that can amplify a continental shared and common vision through a platform with reinvigorated pan- Africanism with AFLEX platform. The important thing is how we are going to forge common and shared vision in Africa.
The director also mentioned that to have the desired common vision and identity, we need a platform and AFLEX is going to give that, adding, “The African continent and leaders could take the advantage of the AFLEX platform to come together and deliberate upon the challenges that Africa continuously faces.”
“If Africa has a shared vision, then it will help Africa to promote common position in different multilateral settings. The current global order should be reformed, and we need to provide concrete idea.”
Africa needs leaders that could share their ideas to come up with practical solutions. Ultimately, leadership is the key in order to put Africa in its rightful place at the global level, the director added.
As to the director, Sululta, where AFLEX is founded, is to come out as the place of dialogue and come together to go out of the box and think ahead of the curves.” In addition, United Nations system, the director further elaborated, is a real partner for Africa through the 2030 agenda and the implementation of our continental vision because the UN system supports member states to implement their national strategies.
“The agreement signed between the UN and AFLEX would forge a new partnership and support the whole continent to promote a shared vision and a common agenda through AFLEX. That will put Africa’s interest at the center of international stages. AFLEX would be at the service of the whole continent. So, we are working with our partners in order to further transform AFLEX for continental dialogue,” the director elucidated.
Similarly, Ramiz Alakbarov, on his part said to the newspaper, “We do believe that it is a high time to incorporate Africa in the high tables of the world. Those decisions and reforms of the UN institutions are extremely pressing.”
Ramiz noted that in Ethiopia, in the country level, we are working with the leadership of the country and continent to bring together knowledge and UN skills, and also bring them into a conversation and knowledge exchange.
“AFLEX is the most vanguard institution that is cultivating the culture of debate- pluralism and debating different ideas from various perspectives. It offers us a perfect platform. It has the required leadership, thinking, infrastructure, and right skill set to develop,” added Ramiz.
BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2024
