Kadaga urges Commonwealth leaders to implement Sustainable Development Goals

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has called upon leaders in all Commonwealth countries to fully implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Kadaga, who was addressing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Summit in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday said if all Commonwealth countries implement SDGs, lives of people living in developing countries will improve gradually.

“We should not forget the right purposes of SDGs if we need to end poverty and protect the planet and also ensure that all our people enjoy peace and prosperity. It’s unfortunate that most of the commonwealth countries still struggle in implementing the SDGs and the only way we can help each other is to embrace these goals in good faith,” she said.

She also called for equality and power-sharing in regions such as Asia.

“To my friends in Asia, there is a need to increase the number of women representation in decision making positions as soon as possible, if we are to see development within commonwealth countries,” she added, noting that Nepal ranks highest with 33 per cent women representation while Sri Lanka trails at 6 per cent.

Kadaga also urged members to come for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference scheduled for 22 – 29 September 2019 in Kampala.

“It will be another opportunity if all the Commonwealth Parliamentarians come and attend,” she said.