AdminAfrican leaders have called for immediate action to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to drive job creation and inclusive growth.
The call to action was made at the 11th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11), which brought together heads of state, government officials, academia, and international partners.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelKey Takeaways
– Accelerating Progress: With only five years left to achieve the SDGs, leaders emphasized the need for bold leadership, decisive policies, and strengthened partnerships to drive progress.
– Job Creation: President Kaguta Yoweri Museveni highlighted Uganda’s progress in creating jobs, with 3.6 million people employed in agriculture, 1.4 million in manufacturing and industry, and 5 million in services.
– Regional Cooperation: Leaders stressed the importance of regional cooperation and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in achieving prosperity and promoting economic growth.
– Challenges: The forum acknowledged significant hurdles, including the lingering effects of COVID-19, geopolitical tensions, and a staggering debt burden of 64.3% of GDP, which hinders progress.
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Focus Areas for 2025
The forum identified five critical SDGs under review for 2025:
– Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Improving healthcare outcomes and reducing mortality rates.
– Gender Equality (SDG 5): Promoting equal opportunities and empowering women and girls.
– Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Fostering economic growth, reducing unemployment, and improving working conditions.
– Life Below Water (SDG 14): Conserving and sustainably using marine resources.
– Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): Strengthening partnerships and mobilizing resources to achieve the SDGs.
Moving Forward
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the UN system remain committed to collaborating with African nations and partners to achieve sustainable development. As Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, noted, “Let us tell a new story driven by African leadership, especially our young people, powered by African people and anchored in African values”.
