Uganda will host the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) from April 9-11, 2025, at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The forum will provide a platform for African leaders to discuss strategies for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advancing the continent’s development agenda.
The event, themed “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063,” will be hosted in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and UN agencies.
Speaking at a Pre-event, Charity Kalebbo Ahimbisibwe, Executive Director of the Electoral Laws Institute, the event is crucial for the country, as each country must report its achievements.
She said Uganda has made significant progress, achieving 33% representation of women in terms of gender, but gaps still exist for equity and equality.
She added, “The biggest problem for young people is unemployment and staying in school for a long time, government has come up with a number of programs, however, these do not take interest in what the young people want, the programs should be designed for them to access the economy through technology.”
Moses Isoba, Executive Director of the NGO Forum, emphasized that with only five years left to achieve the set SDG goals, the pre-event is designed to consolidate key advocacy messages for civil society organizations.
Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Water and Environment, stressed the need for cooperation with other countries to achieve the SDGs.
The forum’s objectives include reviewing progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, with a focus on five key SDGs. Discussions will cover youth employment, sovereign financing, digital innovation, energy access, carbon markets, and sustainable livelihoods.