ELLEN CHIKALE, Vienna
THE 23rd United Nations (UN) and International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) symposium has closed with a call for member states to be involved in the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Speaking when he closed the symposium, UN under secretary-general for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Wu Hongbo said the UN will not leave anyone behind in its quest for sustainable development for all.
Mr Wu said this is the reason why the UN has come up with four major parts in the final development agenda document for consideration at the September 2015 UN general assembly.
He said the first part of the document is the political declaration which will reflect major principles for sustainable development.
Mr Wu said this would be followed by the goals and targets for sustainable development.
Mr Wu said the proposed SDGs are 17 with 169 targets as compared to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were only eight.
He said these many goals and targets are not surprising because it is the first time in human history that such an elaborate development agenda for 193 world countries and not a selected group is being framed.
Mr Wu said the development agenda will cover economic growth, social programmes and environmental protection among others.
He, however, observed that this would not be measurable and beneficial without the key indicator.
Mr Wu said concentration will be on the key indicator framework going forward.
Mr Wu also highlighted the means of implementation and the global partnership as the third part of the September 2015 document which was not in the MDGs.
He said each SDG has its means of implementation and global partnership is clearly indicated.
Mr Wu said the fourth part of the document involves follow up and monitoring.
He said this is where the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) and INTOSAI would demonstrate their unique role and function effectively.
Mr Wu said member states will have specific initiatives and programmes formulated on how to implement the goals at national level and SAIs would be instrumental in keeping tabs.
And Austria auditor-general Josef Moser urged participants to do everything possible to contribute to sustainable development in individual countries for the benefit of society
The office of the auditor general in Zambia has in the past audited aspects of MDGs such as the provision of water, deployment of teachers, distribution of medical supplies, implementation of gender policy, solid waste management among others.
In its various audit reports, the office of the auditor general OAG has pointed out issues, which if not attended to would affect the attainment of the specific MDGs.