2024 IIAG blog – “Leave no one behind”: participation is key

“Leave no one behind” is one of the central principles and transformative promises of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If this appeal is taken seriously, there is no room for discrimination and inequalities that undermine the agency of people as holders of rights. “Leave no one behind” – This can only succeed where self-determination and personal responsibility are promoted, where citizens have the opportunity to influence political decisions as a group or individually, where they can freely and unhindered participate in elections and votes, where they can demonstrate and protest, and where their voice is heard. All this means participation.

More than three quarters (77.3%) of the African population live in countries where participation has deteriorated since 2014. This finding from the latest IIAG report is alarming, as participation is an essential key to the acceptance of a state system and political stability.

In the run-up to the UN Future Summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres rightly emphasised how important it is that all countries of the world can meaningfully participate in global governance structures as equals. Looking at a necessary reform of the UN Security Council, Guterres said: "African voices, African insights, and African participation must be brought to bear across the Council's deliberations and actions. This is not just a question of ethics and justice. It is also a strategic imperative that can increase global acceptance of the Council's decisions - benefitting Africa and the world."

It is long overdue to fulfill the African Union's demand for two permanent seats in the UN Security Council. Participation must be exemplified at the very top. But at the same time, it must be tangible for every individual at grassroots level. Anyone who is serious about the goal of leaving no one behind cannot accept the negative trend in participation that has persisted in most African countries for a decade.

The global community must do its homework when it comes to participation, but in the meantime African governments should not forget to work on this issue on a local level as well.