Experts Discuss Ways of Measuring Sustainable Development
By Corinne Archer, ECA, 13 April 2005

Addis Ababa, 13 April - Experts met at the Economic Commission for Africa on 13 April to discuss ways of monitoring progress on sustainable development.

The three-day meeting, convened by ECA’s Sustainable Development Division (SSD), brings together experts from around the continent in a bid to guide the Commission’s work, examine the relevant indicators and, in the long-term, to produce a continental index which monitors and compares progress in each country.

Opening the meeting, Antonio Pedro officer-in-charge of the SSD, stressed that the outcome of the workshop would play a vital role in the Commission’s work. The recommendations would feed into the division’s flagship publication, known as the Sustainable Development Report for Africa (SDRA).

He explained that the report would assess the status of sustainable development on the continent using a number of selected indicators. The link between development and the environment is indisputable, and indicators are crucial in measuring progress and shaping policies.

The SDRA will also focus on the management of land-based resources and to this end, it will look at the sustainability of public and private partnerships in mining, energy, land policy and water.

Mr Pedro noted that despite various strategies to boost development, Africa continued to perform poorly.

“Hence the UNECA continues to analyse and advocate for policies that will put Africa on the road to meaningful development,” he told participants.

Click here for opening statement.