New York, 25 September 2024 – Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat, participated in the annual high-level side meeting titled “Sustainable and Targeted Poverty Solutions: Using the Multidimensional Poverty Index.” This event was hosted by the Federal Republic of Somalia in collaboration with the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) during the 79th UN General Assembly and Summit of the Future week.
The high-level event provided a platform for leaders, senior government officials and representatives from international organizations to share their experiences and commitments to using Multidimensional Poverty Indices (MPI) to accelerate poverty reduction in countries of the Global South. The meeting also aimed to inform and develop innovative policy actions, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst ongoing fiscal constraints.
High-level speakers from African countries, including Egypt, Chad, Namibia, Seychelles, and South Sudan, emphasized the importance of political leadership in achieving these goals during this critical time. Representatives from the Global South, including Brazil and Chile, shared insights on the usefulness of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to guide policies and prioritize development goals as well as budget-oriented programmes. Experts also referenced the Pact for the Future’s call for social, environmental, and economic measures to address development challenges. Consequently, the MPI should be regarded as a key tool for tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063.
On behalf of the APRM, Ambassador Rose Quatre emphasized that the APRM’s Comprehensive and Targeted Reviews can effectively leverage the multidimensional poverty tool to provide accurate diagnostic assessments related to Aspiration 1 of Agenda 2063. This aspiration aligns with SDGs 1 (ending poverty) and 2 (fighting hunger). She also highlighted that the collaboration between APRM and OPHI is instrumental in helping African countries develop national-led programmes focused on social justice and poverty alleviation.
Ambassador Rose Quatre also highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19, coupled with ongoing conflicts, which have pushed more than 600 million African citizens below the poverty line. In response, the APRM is committed to supporting the stabilization of countries undergoing political transitions, ensuring that the SDGs and Agenda 2063, including the fight against poverty, are effectively addressed.
On the margins of her participation in the 79th UNGA and Summit of the Future, Ambassador Rose Quatre held bilateral meetings with Mr. Navid Hanif, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN for Economic Development; Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at UNDP; and Ms. Amina Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. These discussions aimed to reinforce APRM’s collaboration with UN agencies and outline a future plan of action for implementation aligned with the APRM 2024-2028 strategic framework.
