Museveni to inaugurate Africa Sustainable Development Forum in Kampala

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President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the inauguration of the Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

The multi-stakeholder forum will take place at Speke Resort Hotel in Kampala and run until April 11, 2025.

It is being jointly organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and various United Nations agencies.

Held under the theme “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science-and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063,” the forum aims to accelerate efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

A race against time

With only five years remaining to achieve these ambitious targets, UNECA says the forum presents a critical opportunity to catalyse real change on the continent.

Although progress has been recorded in some areas through voluntary national reviews, experts warn that Africa—like many parts of the world—is largely off track with most SDG targets and, in some cases, is experiencing regression.

"The Forum is being held at a critical time when commitments to enhance the pace of implementation across the continent need to be revitalised. African States, including Uganda, need to take bold, ambitious and accelerated transformative measures to improve development outcomes," said UNECA.

As part of the ARFSD, participating countries will take part in a regional preparatory workshop for African voluntary national and local reviews. The goal is to strengthen peer learning and share best practices and success stories in tackling challenges unique to Africa.

Ten-year implementation

"Furthermore, there is the urgency to implement the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063, as it directly aligns with the overarching goals of the 2030 Agenda, with ambitions known as 'moonshots', which include the attainment of at least middle-income status and the amicable resolution of conflicts in Africa by 2044," UNECA added.

According to UNECA, headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the conference will include a comprehensive review of progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The forum will specifically focus on five key SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good health and well-being
• SDG 5: Gender equality
• SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
• SDG 14: Life below water
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

These will be examined in relation to their corresponding goals under Agenda 2063, with special focus on its Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP).