The position was expressed by João Lourenço in his intervention by videoconference in the High Level Segment of the 75th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), which counted with the participation of 22 heads of state.
"The Government of Angola reaffirms its commitment to work for the 17 Objectives of Sustainable Development (SDS) in the framework of Agenda 2030, entitled Transforming Our World, so that they are achieved in our country, with particular emphasis on the elimination of extreme poverty and the significant reduction of multidimensional poverty levels by the year 2030," said João Lourenço.
The Head of State stressed that the eradication of poverty gains much more importance "after the foundations of the world economy have been strongly shaken by this strong negative shock caused by the covid-19 pandemic.
According to the President, of the 70 action programs that are part of Angola's National Development Plan for the period 2018-2022, 36 have an impact on the goal of eliminating extreme poverty and reducing multidimensional poverty.
The programs he pointed out refer to monetary transfers, productive inclusion or generation of work and income, expansion of infrastructure and supply of goods, expansion of social services, with emphasis on literacy, education and health, strengthening of institutional capacity, especially in the field of social assistance to children, women, youth and the elderly.
"We would like to highlight the beginning, on May 30th of this year, of the implementation of a Monetary Social Transfer Program, which will cover one million six hundred thousand families", indicated João Lourenço, pointing out that this program, in partnership with the World Bank, which will extend until 2022, includes a financial package of 420 million dollars.
The head of state stressed that, due to budgetary and financial constraints, no new agents are being admitted to the civil service, but an exception was made, which considerably increased the number of professionals in the health and education sectors, totaling more than 29,000 places for the general education system in the last two years, and 14,600 health professionals.
In the area of infrastructure for the National Health System, João Lourenço highlighted, the country made important investments in the last two years, increasing the number of beds available in hospitals by 5382 units, and inaugurating new hospitals in several locations in the country, thus increasing the supply of intensive health care.
The President stressed the importance of family agriculture in the country, considering it an important segment of the economy, which guarantees around 80 percent of cereals, roots and tubers, legumes and oilseeds.
"A Family Farming and Fishing Acceleration Program is underway, which will have a great impact in reducing unemployment levels and increasing the population's income," he said.
The Head of State assured that Angola will intensify initiatives to achieve as many ODS goals as possible, mobilizing the entire Angolan society for a true "decade of action," with the launch, in June, of an inclusive mechanism for consultation, mobilization of initiatives and monitoring of all aspects related to this objective.
"This is a platform that involves the public sector, the social and development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders," said João Lourenço, indicating that the country's first National Voluntary Report is also being prepared and will be presented to the high political segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in July 2021.
Along with these actions, joint strategies and programs are also being identified to accelerate the implementation of the ODS.
"The Angolan government's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals is very strong and is clearly reflected in the country's National Development Plan," João Lourenço concluded, assuring that the government will continue to work towards their effective implementation.
