Commonwealth Africa Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Treaty Body Reporting and Strengthening of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-Up

It is with a profound sense of accomplishment that I speak to you today on this momentous occasion - the end of this two-and-a-half-day event, jointly co-organized by OHCHR and the Commonwealth Secretariat in Partnership with the United Republic of Tanzania.

I would like to at the very onset convey my sincere congratulations to all the participants and to the facilitation team for the excellent work done.

I have no doubt that this workshop has been a remarkable step in unlearning and relearning, refreshing our knowledge and skills through experiential learning from country experiences and success stories, home-grown solutions, strengthening and establishing robust and vibrant national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up to clear backlog of treaty body reports and its synergies with Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reporting through use of relevant tools. 

As mentioned during the opening ceremony, this workshop is part of an ongoing effort to continue providing support to member states in meeting not only their reporting obligations to international human rights mechanisms but also, and more importantly, to bridge the ‘implementation gap’. For both the UN system and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the insights you shared during the workshop will help us adjust our technical assistance to your respective countries. 

I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretariat and OHCHR team for the combined technical and financial resources which have made this training program a reality. As a community united by a shared vision, we possess the potential to create a ripple effect of positive, evidence-based change that extends well beyond the confines of this training. I urge each one of you to apply your newfound knowledge with enthusiasm, determination, and a keen eagerness to contribute to change in meeting reporting obligations. I also encourage you to follow-up on the outcome document that you adopted. 

I extend my best wishes to all of you as I hope you apply your learning to your daily work and make a difference where you are. May your collective efforts yield results, contribute to enhanced capacities to ensure effective, participatory and meaningful consultation of stakeholders especially marginalized and vulnerable groups, CSOs, NHRIs, enhanced capacities for sustained engagement, coordination and timely reporting to human rights mechanism and SDGs reporting via VNRs and other mechanisms.

I also have no doubt that the participation of the national statistical offices in this workshop has enriched the discussions around data challenges and has informed new innovative approaches of tackling data challenges; and I am pleased to learn of the diverse experience and good practices by several countries on their National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-ups (NMIRFs) and VNR Treaty Bodies reporting. 

As I conclude, I would like to thank the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting this event.

Finally, it is our hope that this Workshop and its outcome document will help chart a way forward for stronger cooperation to promote human rights in the region. I reaffirm the United Nations’ readiness to continue supporting and strengthening our partnership with Tanzania and with the Governments represented in this workshop. Let us work together to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of human rights.

On behalf of the UN Country Team in Tanzania, it is my pleasure to wish you all a safe journey back to your respective countries and we hope to see you again next time!

Karibuni tena!