Mbuji Mayi, 11 March 2013 – Provincial consultations on post 2015 development took place in Mbuji Mayi, Kasaï Oriental province, from 18 to 27 February 2013. The consultations consisted in reviewing the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 2015. Organized by the provincial Government through the ministry for planning with UN support, the forum was attended by representatives of the civil society organizations, provincial assembly, student movements as well as agencies of the United Nations system in the province.

During the consultations, participants split into groups and addressed the development challenges in the province in regards to MDGs. In respect of the needs, the provincial consultative workshop presented a list of goals based on the following priorities: restoration of peace and Rule of Law; elimination of extreme poverty and hunger, promoting effective implementation of decentralization and local development; promoting good governance at every levels; ensuring elementary education for all; promoting sex equality and women's empowerment; reducing child mortality for less than 5 year old children; improving maternal health; combatting HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases; and ensuring sustainable environment.

The provincial consultation campaign is part of a national brainstorming exercise set to take place in about fifty pilot countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo with a view to enriching the global reflections with experiences from different countries. The consultative process will lead to the drafting of a report that will be transmitted to the United Nations headquarters in March 2013 and will be the base for the development of an international Agenda on MDGs beyond 2015.

Emmanuel Elameji/ Radio Okapi/ MONUSCO