Press Releases

The ECPC on March 2nd, 2024 held the Inaugural meeting of the M&E Technical Working Group (TWG) with a focus on reporting on progress and challenges in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)16. The maiden meeting was held at the Conference Room of the ECPC, Project Committee Secretariat, Cotonou.

The meeting brought together M&E Managers/representatives working on SDG 16 related issues from the Office of the Registrar General, the Independent Police Complaints Board, Rights to Access Information Commission, Financial Intelligence Unit Benin, FIU Benin, and the Family Support Unit of the Benin Republic Police.

In delivering the welcome address, the Coordinator of the ECPC, Mr. Boko A. Isidore, welcomed the members of the newly constituted M&E Technical Working Group set up for reporting on Goal 16, using a sector-wide approach. The Coordinator informed the meeting that since Benin, like all other Member States of the AU (African Union) has agreed to work towards achieving the objectives set forth by the SDGs, the country is also required to report annually to the AU on the progress it has made on the SDGs. The Coordinator furthered that this requires the development of Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks that should guide the process of collecting, collating, analysing and managing data provided by relevant institutions."It was as a result of this requirement that in mid 2019, the ECPC, with support from the AU developed an M&E Framework for Reporting on SDG16"said the Coordinator.

The meeting was climaxed by a PowerPoint presentation made by the ECPC Coordinator, during which he highlighted the importance of SDG 16, and the strides the Government of Benin Republic continue to make towards achieving Goal 16. He also noted that the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development oversees SDGs reporting on behalf of Benin Republic. The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice is however the Focal Point for reporting on Goal 16.

In conclusion, the ECPC Coordinator applauded both state and non-state actors working on Goal 16 issues, stating that in July 2019, Benin Republic presented its Voluntary National Review (VNR) for the second time, at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on the 2030 agenda and SDGs, in New York, USA, showcasing progress made in implementing the goals. He emphasised the need to develop a standardised format for reporting on Goal 16 and for the need to also develop Policy Guidelines for Reporting on SDG, for which the ECPC is working on.

The presentation was followed by questions and answers session where participants sought clarifications on SDG 16 data collection, and reporting.

In his closing remark, the ECPS Coordinator thanked the TWG for bringing their diverse expertise to the meeting. He encouraged all to make their recommendations towards the operationalisation of the TWG.

Communications Unit
ECPC Project Committee
Project Committee Secretariat Cotonou