At the Twelfth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-12) held in Addis Ababa, African leaders issued a strong appeal for swift, unified, and transformative actions. The primary objective is to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the continent's own Agenda 2063.
The forum, which commenced under the theme “Turning the Tide: Transformative and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063,” brought together ministers, senior government officials, representatives from regional institutions, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, and development partners. Its purpose was to assess Africa's progress and formulate the continent's collective stance for upcoming global sustainable development discussions, including the High-Level Political Forum.
Uganda's Prime Minister, Ms. Robinah Nabbanja, who presided over the Bureau of the Eleventh Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, officially opened the Forum. She emphasized that Africa must transition from making commitments to achieving tangible, measurable outcomes with greater speed. Nabbanja stated, “With only four years remaining to 2030, we must move with urgency – from commitments to concrete, measurable results.
We must leverage science, technology and innovation, regional integration, innovative financing and strong partnerships.”
She extended gratitude to the Government and people of Ethiopia for hosting the forum in Addis Ababa and acknowledged the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa for its continuous leadership in advancing the continent's sustainable development agenda.
Nabbanja referenced the adoption of the Kampala Declaration and the Key Messages to the High-Level Political Forum in 2025. She noted that the Bureau had been actively involved throughout the past year, holding four meetings to provide strategic direction, maintain momentum, and enhance follow-up on implementation efforts.
She pointed out advancements in integrating the SDGs into national development plans, expanding data systems for evidence-based planning, strengthening coordination mechanisms, and focusing more intensely on accelerated implementation. However, she cautioned that significant obstacles persist, including funding shortfalls, susceptibility to climate change, and the imperative to scale up innovation and partnerships.
The prime minister also underscored the importance of peace and security, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and essential development enablers such as transport and logistics infrastructure, dependable and affordable energy, and reducing the costs of doing business. She asserted, “These enablers are not optional. They are fundamental to the full realisation of the AFCFTA and to positioning Africa as a competitive and integrated economic bloc.”
In his address on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Selma Malika Haddadi, lauded Uganda for its leadership of the outgoing Bureau and for advocating the outcomes of the Kampala Forum at global stages, including the High-Level Political Forum, the World Summit for Social Development, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Haddadi stressed that ARFSD-12 occurs at a critical juncture, as progress in many African nations is insufficient in pace and scale to achieve the SDGs by 2030. She remarked, “This Forum represents not just a platform for reflection, but a decisive moment for collective action.”
Haddadi highlighted the strategic relevance of this year’s focus on five SDGs: clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; industry, innovation and infrastructure; sustainable cities and communities; and partnerships for the goals. She noted these areas are fundamental enablers of sustainable development and closely align with the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
Furthermore, she reported progress in embedding the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 within Member States, with countries increasingly synchronizing national development plans, policies, and budgets with continental priorities. Initial findings from the upcoming biennial report on the plan's implementation indicate advancements in infrastructure development, regional integration, and digital transformation, notably through flagship initiatives like the AfCFTA.
Concurrently, she cautioned that substantial challenges remain, particularly concerning sustainable development financing, creating jobs for Africa's burgeoning youth population, climate resilience, and addressing inequalities both within and between nations. She also identified partnerships as crucial for Africa's success.
Haddadi drew attention to the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union and the United Nations as a robust framework for joint implementation of development programs across the continent, noting its contribution to better alignment, reduced fragmentation, and enhanced support for Member States.
As discussions continue, participants are expected to formulate concrete, actionable recommendations to strengthen Africa's unified voice in global sustainable development processes and accelerate implementation at national, regional, and continental levels.
The African Union Commission reiterated its dedication to collaborating with all partners to hasten the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda. She concluded, “Together, we can indeed turn the tide and build a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Africa.”
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