The Sustainable Development Advisory Council took part in a workshop to launch the domestication of the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063 at the Parliament Buildings on 8^th June 2016.

As indicated in the title of the workshop, the event marked the beginning of the domestication of the SDGs and African Union Agenda 2063 and also offered the chance to discuss how the 5^th National Development Plan would be integrated within these frameworks.

Taking the form of a public dialogue, the event involved representatives from different line ministries, civil society organisations, international and regional organisations and the private sector.

Speaking at the event and noting the experience and expertise of the Council members, the Chairperson of the Council, Dr. Malan Lindeque, highlighted the interest and willingness of the Council to engage and add value to the process to domesticate the SDGs and Agenda 2063.

He further noted the increasing importance being given to environmental issues on the international agenda, emphasising that at least 8 of the 17 SDGs relate to environmental issues compared to just one of the Millennium Development Goals, which referred to environmental sustainability.

The workshop closed with a debriefing between between staff members of the African Union and local staff engaged in the SDGs and Agenda 2063 domestication process.