Tunisia has regressed in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) index, from 71.4 points in 2021 to 70.1 points in 2022, ranking second in Africa and 60th in the world.
This ranking was announced on Thursday during a preparatory workshop for Tunisia's participation in the SDG Summit to be held in New York, USA, on September 18 and 19.
"We are halfway, Tunisia is committed to achieving the 2030 Agenda given its importance in terms of planning, social justice and economic and social growth," said Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Saïed.
He said his department, in collaboration with other ministries, is working to create a monitoring and evaluation system for the National Development Plan (PND 2023-2025) that is aligned with the SDGs.
At the international level, Saied recalled that about 12% of the goals have been achieved, while about 30% show no movement or regression from the 2015 baseline, adding that this issue will be discussed at the next summit in New York.
UN Resident Coordinator in Tunisia, Arnaud Peral, stressed that Tunisia is facing several challenges, namely the aftermath of COVID-19, the Russian-Ukrainian war, climate change and water scarcity.
The UN official pointed out that Tunisia ranks first in Africa in terms of achieving the SDGs, particularly in the areas of health, education and social security.
Some figures have not recorded the development needed to meet the aspirations of Tunisians, especially those living in Tunisia's interior regions, Peral said.
"We are working together to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs," he said.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse