The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), says the 2017 Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD), will hold in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 16 to May 19.
A statement issued by the commission’s communications section in Addis Ababa on Wednesday stated that the theme of the forum is, “Ensuring Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and Prosperity for All.”
It said the meeting was in preparation for the 2017 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), scheduled for July in New York under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The theme of the July meeting is: “Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing World.”
The ARFSD tracks progress in the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that are at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as the global fight to eradicate poverty and promote prosperity continues.
“In Africa, the SDGs are being implemented concurrently and in an integrated manner with the First 10-year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063.
The ARFSD is being held in the second year of implementation of the 2030 Agenda and third year of implementation of Agenda 2063, the statement said.
Fatima Denton of ECA’s Special Initiatives Division said the regional forum also aimed to keep all the stakeholders in Africa mobilised and engaged to strengthen their commitment to concerted action on the SDGs.
According to the statement, it will garner international support to translate the SDGs and Agenda 2063 aspirations into measurable and shared prosperity that benefits everyone and the planet.
“The forum provides an opportunity for Africa to examine early results, share and reflect on the implementation experiences of the continent and trigger action toward implementation of the two agendas.’
The ECA is working with the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and other United Nations agencies in organising the 2017 ARFSD in preparation for the 2017 HLPF, it added.
