São Tomé and Príncipe reports progress on SDGs

By
Sadia Babar
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São Tomé and Príncipe's Foreign Minister reporting on the country's progress on SDGs at the HLPF
Foreign Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, Edite Tenjua reporting on the country's progress on SDGs at the High-Level Political Forum.

New York, 14 July 2022 (TDI): São Tomé and Príncipe reported progress on the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from 05-15 July.

The country’s Foreign Minister, Edite Ramos de Costa Tenjua, represented it in the three-day ministerial segment of the forum, which was the highest level of the segment in the entire forum.

Sao Tome and Principe progress on SDGs

The country’s Foreign Minister reported on several SDGs, including a decrease in poverty (SDG 1). She also noted a country-wide decrease in childhood malnutrition (SDG 2) and a drop in infant and maternal mortality, malaria, and HIV rates (SDG 3).

In addition to that, she informed about the improved literacy rates and class attendance (SDG 4), gender parity in basic education (SDG 5), improved access to clean water (SDG 6), increased access to electricity (SDG 7), and the country’s blue economy transition strategy (SDG 14).

However, she noted climate-related challenges (SDG 13) hampering growth in certain sectors, including agriculture and mobility.

Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)

Voluntary National Reviews are regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-driven.

Countries share experiences, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing the 2030 Agenda through regular VNRs. The VNRs are also a follow-up mechanism and serve as a basis for regular reviews by the high-level political forum (HLPF).

As the midway point in the 15-year SDG implementation period draws closer, the high-level session offered a moment of reflection. Subsequently, the HLPF intended to reflect on how to reverse the negative impacts of the pandemic on the SDGs.