By Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-04-03 11:30:10
The Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) is set to take place at the end of April in Addis Ababa, providing delegates with an opportunity to address the challenges facing the continent in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Sponsored by the UN ECA, the forum will focus on evaluating progress, sharing ideas, and promoting best practices to advance the 2030 agenda.
With only half a decade left to achieve the SDGs, many countries are falling short of their targets, exacerbated by setbacks from the Covid-19 pandemic. The forum aims to address these challenges by providing a platform for governments and stakeholders to develop tools for implementation of the SDGs and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063. According to Nassim Oulmane, a senior economist at the ECA, linking these tools to national development plans is crucial for objective evaluation of the two agendas.
The theme of the tenth session, “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises,” highlights the urgency in overcoming social and economic challenges in Africa. Issues such as conflict, inflation, debt, and climate change continue to hinder progress towards sustainable development. Oulmane emphasizes the need to find innovative ways to mobilize financing, particularly in addressing the high levels of debt in many African countries.
Climate change remains a looming threat, disproportionately impacting African countries with vulnerable food systems, limited energy access, and low climate resilience investments. The forum will address the need for more climate financing to build resilience in the face of climate catastrophes that are already affecting food security, energy supply, and poverty reduction. Sessions dedicated to youth empowerment and the future of the continent will allow young people to voice their concerns on issues that directly affect them.
The Loss and Damage Fund, operationalized at COP28, aims to address the adverse effects of climate events on countries like Malawi, where energy capacity has been reduced, leading to economic decline and increased poverty levels. Africa’s limited share of global climate investments underscores the need for innovative approaches to attract more funding. Oulmane suggests creating regional frameworks and converting debt into climate investments as strategies to secure financing for sustainable development.
Efforts to maximize Africa’s carbon resources, such as the Congo Basin, are essential in mitigating climate change. The ECA is working to establish regional solutions, including carbon and biodiversity markets, to enable countries to certify and trade sequestered carbon effectively. Initiatives like the Great Blue Wall aim to pool resources to address climate and biodiversity challenges in coastal areas, empowering communities to become stewards of ocean regeneration.
Oulmane warns of the urgent need for success in addressing environmental challenges, emphasizing the potential dire consequences of failing to act. The upcoming ARFSD holds significant importance for the future of Africa and the world, with the potential to impact global sustainability and development efforts. Success at the forum could pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for the continent and its people.
