Kampala: The Eleventh Session of the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11)
The Eleventh Session of the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) will be jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of the Republic of Uganda, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and United Nations system organizations.
Location and Dates: The Forum will take place in Kampala, Uganda, at the Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo, from April 9 to 11, 2025.
Theme: The theme of the Eleventh Session of the Regional Forum is: “Stimulating job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science-based, and evidence-driven solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”
ARFSD-11 is a crucial opportunity to drive real change and accelerate the SDGs and Agenda 2063. Africa, like the rest of the world, is behind in achieving most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has even regressed on some of them. Alongside the SDGs, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union have adopted and called for the effective implementation of the Second Decade of Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063. It is therefore urgent to accelerate actions at all levels to meet the targets of the 2030 and 2063 agendas.
Taking place after the Summit for the Future, the Regional Forum is also a unique opportunity to reflect on the outcomes of the Summit and define concrete actions for their implementation. Furthermore, ARFSD-11 will be held ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in November 2025, providing a platform to articulate Africa’s common position on this occasion.
The Forum will include pre-events from April 3 to 9, 2025, and parallel events related to the theme and sub-themes of the Forum.
Objectives of the Forum: The objectives of the Eleventh Session of the Regional Forum are as follows:
- To review progress, challenges, and opportunities in the implementation of the 2030 and 2063 agendas. ARFSD-11 will conduct a thorough review of SDGs 3 (Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as well as the corresponding goals of Agenda 2063.
- To strengthen learning and promote effective policy measures based on sustainable, inclusive, and science-based solutions to advance the implementation of the SDGs and the objectives of Agenda 2063.
- To monitor and advance the outcomes of the Summit for the Future.
- To serve as a regional preparatory meeting for Africa and produce collective contributions for the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York and the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha.
- To adopt the Forum’s outcome documents, namely:
- Forum Summary and Key Messages
- Kampala Declaration or Communiqué on Science-Based Solutions for the SDG and Agenda 2063.
Participation: The Forum will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation from ministers, high-level decision-makers, experts, representatives from ECA member states, the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, the Regional Economic Communities, the United Nations system, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academics.
Organizer
Established in 1958 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is one of the UN’s five regional commissions. Its mission is to promote the economic and social development of African member states, strengthen regional integration, and foster international cooperation for the continent’s advancement.
With 54 member states, the ECA serves as both the UN’s regional arm in Africa and a key player within the continent’s institutional landscape. It mobilizes resources to address Africa’s priorities.
Core Functions of the ECA
The ECA contributes to the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 through three essential functions:
- Convening: Creating intergovernmental regional platforms to establish common policies and action frameworks.
- Think Tank: Producing multisectoral analyses that strengthen links among the pillars of sustainable development and encourage policy innovation.
- Operational: Providing strategic support to member states upon request, in collaboration with the UN system.
Mission and Strategic Orientations
The ECA’s mission is to advance an autonomous and prosperous Africa, guided by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. This mission focuses on five strategic priorities, including enhancing the ECA’s role as a knowledge hub, promoting policies for economic diversification, and advocating for Africa’s voice in global governance.
The ECA is led by an Executive Secretary, supported by two Deputy Executive Secretaries, coordinating actions towards a sustainable and inclusive Africa.
