World leaders adopted the 17聽Goals聽four years ago in the push to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality, spur economic growth and protect the planet.聽

The SDGs聽are also 鈥淎frica鈥檚 goals鈥�, according to Mr.聽Kagame,聽who added that the 55-member African Union continues to work to meet the 2030 deadline.聽

鈥淣ext July, for example, trading will commence under the African Continental Free-Trade Area, the world鈥檚 largest. But Africa continues to聽lag behind聽other regions on the聽Sustainable Development Goals. This is聽despite聽the聽fact that聽our continent is home to several of the fastest聽growing economies in the world,鈥� he said.聽

鈥淕rowth must be fully inclusive so that inequality within countries continues to diminish.聽 The fundamentals needed to unlock this transformation are already in place. With a concerted push involving all partners, including聽the聽private sector, it is indeed possible to make up for lost time with the Sustainable Development Goals.鈥澛�

President聽Kagame聽believes the international community is at a crossroads in determining whether multilateralism will prevail or lose its way.聽

He said what is clear is that countries now have聽鈥渨ell-defined roadmaps鈥� such as the SDGs, but also on health care and climate change.聽

While leaders from all聽193 UN Member States are in New York this week for the annual debate in the General Assembly Hall,聽they are also participating in聽five major summits to address global challenges.聽

翱苍听惭辞苍诲补测,听肠辞耻苍迟谤颈别蝉听聽the聽UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage, addressing four major areas of primary care.聽

Mr.聽Kagame聽reported that more than 90 per cent of Rwandans have insurance coverage, which has resulted in 鈥渟ignificant鈥� improvements in health outcomes.聽

鈥淚t shows that it is possible for countries at every income level to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all,鈥� he said.聽