Strategic thinking for financing the SDGs

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) is spearheading a workshop aimed at enhancing strategic thinking for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Seychelles. This collaborative effort involves various government agencies and is designed to bolster capacity and enhance public services.

Entitled « Prospecting and Systems Thinking for Strategic Planning and Financing of the SDGs in Seychelles », this initiative builds upon a previous train-the-trainer program. The workshop is facilitated by UN-DESA’s Public Institutions and Digital Government Division, along with its Office of Sustainable Financing, in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Participating government institutions include the Fair Trading Commission, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Immigration Department.

The overarching goal of the program is to establish a more cohesive and participatory governance framework that will foster Seychelles’ development. Central to this objective is the formulation of a financing strategy aimed at bolstering resilience and promoting sustainable development. In his opening address, Naadir Hassan, Minister of Finance, National Planning, and Trade, highlighted the workshop’s aim to equip civil servants with effective planning and budgeting skills.

Maryana Labonte, Senior Economist at the Seychelles Ministry of Finance, emphasized the significance of coordination among government departments and agencies to optimize resource utilization. Mr. Hassan underscored the importance of adopting systems thinking and strategic foresight to enhance inter-ministerial collaboration, emphasizing the workshop’s role in fostering effective governance and sustainable development in Seychelles.