The Expert Group Meeting to review and validate the draft 2019 Africa Sustainable Development Report was held from 21^st to 23^rd May at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting was attended by at least 70 participants comprising of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 Focal Persons from across the continent. It was also attended by independent experts and representatives of the African Peer Review Mechanism, civil society organizations, and the SDGs Centre for Africa. The meeting was organized by the African Union Commission with the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the United Nations Development Programme - Regional Bureau for Africa and the African Development Bank.

The 2019 Africa Sustainable Development Report is the third in a series of annual reports that capture Africa’s progress on both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, in a harmonized manner. The 2019 report is themed: “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality," in line with the 2019 High-level Political Forum (HLPF). The report uses the latest data from international sources to provide a comprehensive review of Africa’s performance on six goals of the 2030 Agenda and the corresponding Agenda 2063 Goals as well as highlight emerging issues and lessons learned. The Goals covered include:

• Goal 4 – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all;
• Goal 8 – Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all;
• Goal 10 – Reduce inequality within and among countries;
• Goal 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts;
• Goal 16 – Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; and
• Goal 17 – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development.

The Expert Group Meeting reviewed the key findings along each Goal and made a number of recommendations to strengthen the quality and reach of the report. Some of the recommendations include making nuanced descriptions of the progress reported using country-level data, where available, together with an in-depth analysis of key trends across regions and countries; highlight the lessons learned from recent events such as the climate change-related events (Cyclone Idai in Mozambique and neighbouring countries). For the indicators with large data gaps and/or where methodologies are still under discussion, the report should make such analysis in table form, and links between the different Goals should also be underscored. Detailed comments along each of the goals covered are included in the report of the meeting.

Member States were encouraged to share best practices and recent data with the drafting team to include as boxes to further inform the report. Member States were further encouraged to prioritize investment in and strengthening of the capacities of national statistical offices to gather relevant data for progress reporting as well as to continue reviewing their systems.

The organizing team wishes to express its appreciation for the contributions of all the participants and the support of Member States, and the management of the AfDB, AUC, UNECA, UNDP and the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) for the financial and logistical support that made the meeting possible. Much appreciation is extended to the Government of Kenya for hosting the meeting.