Regional legislators working on post-MDGs

The East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) now says it is gearing up to take a more central role in the implementation of the post Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

EALA members, who commenced a two day sensitization workshop on promoting SDGs with a mantra to ensure the region realizes the set objectives of reducing poverty, achieving food security and enhancing gender equality among other development initiatives, said the MDGs were not fully achievable by this year’s deadline.

EALA Speaker Daniel F. Kidega said that Parliaments have a fundamental role to play in ensuring the implementation of the SDGs.

“We must take a more prominent role in ensuring full realization of the SDGs. I can guarantee you that the fate of the SDGs will be equally sealed if Parliaments do not enact their own action plans and take up the mantle on some of the relevant areas to their mandate,” he said.

The two day meeting brings together members of EALA and resource persons from institutions working to ensure the SDGs are rolled out including Society for International Development, Africa Platform and the Institute for Economic Affairs.

The meeting will also analyse the performance at the East Africa Community (EAC) level, hindrances and challenges learnt from MDGs while focusing on EALA’s mandate in promoting good governance, transparency and accountability.