We kicked off the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD11) with a series of vibrant side events that set the stage for deeper conversations on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These sessions brought together civil societies, governments, youth, and development partners to reflect on what’s working, what’s lagging, and what must change. Each side event, though unique, carried a common message — the urgency to act, the need to collaborate, and the importance of evidence-based solutions in accelerating the 2030 and 2063 Agendas.
The momentum quickly escalated as we moved into the official opening of the forum. With a warm welcome from President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, #ARFSD11 was ushered in with a strong call for Africa to take ownership of its development journey. His remarks emphasized the importance of regional leadership, homegrown solutions, and the role of innovation in addressing our continent's most pressing challenges. The energy from that opening moment was electric — a clear reminder that this was more than a meeting; it was a movement.
“Aid is no longer sustainable. We must scale up domestic resources, curb illicit financial flows, and tap into pension and sovereign wealth funds to fund Africa’s transformation. With only five years to 2030, the clock is ticking. We must move beyond diagnosis to implementation – bold, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions are our only options."
So why does ARFSD matter? As the regional preparatory forum for the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), ARFSD provides a space for African countries and stakeholders to take stock of progress, share challenges, and align priorities on the SDGs. This year, five SDGs were under in-depth review: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Parallel meetings under each goal provided rich dialogue and peer learning, with experts, governments, civil society, and youth exchanging practical solutions and best practices. These sessions reminded us that each SDG is interconnected — and none can be achieved in isolation.
Throughout the week, we actively participated in major events and plenaries that touched on key development themes — from health and education to climate, data, partnerships, and employment. With these five SDGs under review, the forum provided space for honest reflection, cross-country learning, and shared accountability. It was inspiring to see African nations take the lead in presenting their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), showing progress while acknowledging gaps. These were not just technical presentations — they were commitments to doing better, together.
One of the most powerful moments was our engagement with Mr. Themba Kalua, Director of Pact for the Future Implementation in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General. His reflections challenged us to rethink the role of multilateral cooperation and inclusive governance in shaping the future. The Pact, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future, is a bold new blueprint grounded in science, equity, and sustainability. Mr. Kalua’s message was clear — the future can’t wait, and neither can we. Africa must be at the center of global solutions, not on the sidelines.
As the forum neared its close, the excitement was far from over. On the final day, something truly significant happened — the Kampala Declaration was considered and adopted. This landmark commitment is more than a document — it’s a forward-looking framework built on sustainability, inclusion, science, and evidence. It focuses on job creation, economic growth, and a renewed push toward implementing Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063. It was a proud moment for all of us in the room, a reminder of what’s possible when African voices lead.
The discussions, reflections, and sense of regional ownership throughout #ARFSD11 were powerful. As the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete, so aptly put it:
“This isn’t just a UN document — it’s Africa’s document. Your voices, your debates, your ownership. This is how we reclaim ownership: by shaping our outcomes, speaking with one voice, and presenting African solutions on global stages."
We look forward to the next ARFSD!
Author: Stella Aswani, Communications Officer- SDGs Kenya Forum