Sir Anerood Jugnauth: “I am here and I am leading”

The Prime Minister on Wednesday attended the opening ceremony of the 47th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)-Africa Region Conference at the Intercontinental Hotel, Balaclava. Based on the theme ‘Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Parliaments’ the conference is being held from 22 to 27 August. In his speech, Sir Anerood Jugnauth underlined that the Government has made of “sustainable development the lynchpin of its socio-economic strategy.

Preserving our environmental assets and promoting inclusive development top our priority list.” He underscored the importance of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The Prime Minister also dwelt on the issue of climate change that is affecting the whole world including Africa and Mauritius which as a small island developing state is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Sir Anerood Jugnauth announced the coming into operation of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub which will be hosted in Mauritius. It will assist in unlocking existing and new climate finance to SIDS and Least Developed Countries and facilitate Cross-Commonwealth cooperation. He pointed out the importance of good governance for democracy and for development and progress.

“Democracy must have an effective social dimension, if we want it to flourish”, he said. In this context “Parliamentarians should convince their constituents that democratic institutions can transform their lives,” added the Prime Minister. During the course of the 47th CPA-Africa Region Conference, parliamentary delegations will be sharing experience and expertise on how Parliaments can ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are achieved in Africa.

Following the ceremony, Sir Anerood Jugnauth commented on the different ‘controversies’ affecting the government. When questioned about the criticism made against his leadership, SAJ replied that “Everyone has the right to attack my leadership. But I am here and I am leading.”