2018 African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development Oliver Chinganya Acting Director Technology, Climate Change & Natural Resource Management Division 20 - 26 March 2019 Marrakech, Morocco 2019 Conference of Ministers

Secretary-General António Guterres BACKGROUND “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the “boldest agenda for humanity” “Despite considerable efforts from Governments and many others, the transformative changes demanded by the 2030 Agenda are not yet being made.” “I urge you all to do your utmost to make September 2019 a defining moment for stopping runaway climate change, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building a fair globalization.” Secretary-General António Guterres 2018 African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development UNECA.ORG

ARFSD 2018 Theme & Focus Partnership 2018 ARFSD AT A GLANCE Was the fourth session of the Forum Held from 2 to 4 May 2018 in Dakar, hosted by the Government of Senegal ARFSD 2018 Theme: “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”. Theme aligned with that of 2018 HLPF Focusing on SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 15, 17 and corresponding goals of Agenda 2063 Theme & Focus ECA with Government of Senegal, AUC, AfDB, OSAA, UNDESA, UNEP, UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, UN-HABITAT, UN Office for DRR Joint Task Forces to organize the Forum Co-lead background reports for the Forum; Parallel sessions; and co-organized VNR workshop and side events Partnership 2018 African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development UNECA.ORG

Dialogue and Dissemination of Africa’s Key Position/Key messages at: ARFSD: MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS Knowledge and Policy Actions to Accelerate implementation High-level policy dialogue on the theme of the Forum Peer learning on implementation policies, programmes and practices; and conducting voluntary national Reviews (VNRs) In-depth review of the selected SDGs and related goal of Agenda 2063 Consensus and adoption of policy options (key messages) to advance the implementation of the two Agenda – input to HLPF Policy reports on the subthemes of the Forum Dialogue and Dissemination of Africa’s Key Position/Key messages at: 2018 HLPF by chair of Bureau 2018 ARSFD (Senegal) Panel of Executive Secretaries on lessons from regions at 2018 HLPF High-level meeting during 2018 HLPF, on implementing activities to achieve SDGs and Agenda 2063 High-level round table co-hosted by the Chair of the Group of 77 and the regional commissions on technology and innovation for sustainable development 2018 African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development UNECA.ORG

ARFSD 2018: Some Key Messages Resilient structural transformation in Africa requires integrated national frameworks,. Governments should prioritize investment in sanitation and hygiene, including initiatives that keep girls in school. Given the policies that are currently in place, it is unlikely that access to affordable and clean energy for all will be achieved in Africa by 2030. More efforts need to be undertaken to ensure that urbanization is integrated into national development planning from a strategic and multisectoral perspective The safeguarding and implementation of responsible management of natural resources in Africa, on which most growth is predicated, should remain a priority. It is important for Africa that the global community effectively address the issue of illicit financial flows and the negative consequences that arise from them. 2018 African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development UNECA.ORG

Key Issues & Way Forward Progress in the implementation of the SDGs in many African countries is still slow & Africa has the most countries yet to carry out VNRs Need to support countries to tackle challenges identified in their VNR reports Strong need to boost private sector & civil society capacities and their engagement in implementation Support needed to develop enhanced methods for data collection, disaggregation, and use by member states ARFSD should serve as a catalyst for specific action to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda & Agenda 2063. Strengthen advocacy & provide support to member States to follow-up and implement outcomes of ARFSD, VNRs and HLPF Member states & all stakeholders are invited to 2019 ARFSD, 16-18 April 2019, Marrakech, Morocco 2018 African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development UNECA.ORG

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