By Baboloki Semele: The Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) is set to convene in Kampala, Uganda, from April 9 to April 11, 2025. Preceded by key preparatory events such as the Africa Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum, the event will bring together high-level policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss Africa’s sustainable development trajectory.

Jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and various UN agencies, ARFSD-11 will focus on 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 serves as a crucial platform to assess progress, confront challenges, and accelerate Africa’s commitment to both global and continental development goals.

While Africa has made strides in achieving certain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), experts warn that the continent remains largely off track, with some indicators even regressing. The Forum will serve as a wake-up call, urging African states to implement ambitious and transformative policies to drive sustainable development.

At the heart of ARFSD-11 is a regional preparatory workshop for African voluntary national reviews and voluntary local reviews, aimed at strengthening peer-to-peer learning. The workshop will enable countries to share success stories and best practices in addressing common challenges specific to Africa’s development landscape.

Moreover, the Forum will highlight the urgency of implementing the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063, which aligns with the broader 2030 Agenda. Dubbed as the “moonshots,” the STYIP’s ambitious targets include achieving middle-income status for African nations and resolving conflicts on the continent by 2044.

ARFSD-11 will also build on the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Future, reinforcing Africa’s position in shaping global sustainable development policies. The Forum will further act as a preparatory event for the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled for November 2025 in Qatar. This alignment underscores the need for Africa’s unified and strategic voice in global development discourse.

A key focus of ARFSD-11 will be an in-depth review of five critical 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 SDGs will be analyzed in conjunction with the corresponding goals of Agenda 2063, with particular emphasis on its Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP).

The Forum will feature a hybrid format, enabling participation both in-person and virtually. Attendees will include government ministers, policymakers, private sector representatives, civil society actors, media, academia, and regional organizations. The diverse participation is designed to ensure a robust, inclusive, and action-oriented dialogue.

According to the organizing committee, ARFSD-11 is a pivotal moment for Africa to reposition itself on the sustainable development pathway. With the right strategies and a renewed commitment, the continent has an opportunity to accelerate progress toward achieving its development aspirations. The adoption of the Kampala Declaration on Sustainable Development is expected to provide a clear roadmap for achieving economic growth and job creation through sustainable, science-driven solutions.

As the clock ticks toward 2030 and beyond, ARFSD-11 will serve as a catalyst for Africa’s transformation, ensuring that no country or community is left behind in the journey toward sustainable development.