The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) convened the second session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD 2016) on 17-19 May, in Cairo, Egypt. The ARFSD 2016 met on the theme “Ensuring inclusive and integrated implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063”

This year’s conference took place against the backdrop of the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, agenda 2030, where African leaders, along with other world leaders, recommitted themselves to the pursuit of a more sustainable development pathway. In this context, African countries are confronted with a dual transition: a global level transition from the Millennium Development Goals to agenda 2030; and a regional level transition to Agenda 2063. By signing onto Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063, African member States demonstrated commitment to the implementation and follow-up on both agendas. 

The regional forum was the first following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in September 2015 and therefore focused on integration Africa’s transformation blueprint, Agenda 2063 with 2030 to ensure seamless implementation of the two.

The conference deliberated on pertinent issues of how countries can harmonise frameworks and establish common mechanisms of implementation, monitoring and evaluation to achieve Africa’s collective goals of sustainable development and transformation. A common development framework for Africa has the potential to be a powerful driver of sustainable pro-poor growth in African countries.

The Forum engaged member States, United Nations institutions and other institutions, major groups and other stakeholders on regional priorities for the implementation of the two agendas 2030.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Forum strengthened national governments' implementation efforts and, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 67/290, informed the global debate at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which will be convened in New York in July 2016.

APFSD 2016 was preceded by two preparatory events:

• Africa’s major groups and stakeholders
• Member states that have already begun domesticating the two agendas.

Please direct questions regarding ARFSD 2016 via e-mail to: arfsd@uneca.org.