Highlights and images for 18 April 2019

Morocco

  1. 5th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD 5)

Summary

Highlights for Thursday, 18 April 2019

Delegates in discussions with Deputy Executive-Secretary Giovanie Biha and Oliver Chinganya, UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

On Thursday morning, 18 April 2019, ARFSD 5 delegates heard reports from the parallel sessions discussing Africa’s input to the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 

  • SDG 4 (quality education), which noted the need to include sustainable development in school curricula, and improve educational material and methods for children with special needs;
  • SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), which called for recognizing the contribution of the informal sector and further collaboration with private sector in job-targeted training;
  • SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), which cautioned against inequalities caused by caste systems that encourage modern forms of slavery, and recommended ensuring hygiene facilities to enhance girl’s school attendance;
  • SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), which recommended conflict resolution through dialogue and greater involvement of human rights organizations;
  • SDG 13 (climate action), which discussed mobilizing funds for climate-resilient policies; and
  • SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals), which recommended, in particular, the removal of trade barriers within Africa and the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

    • Delegates also heard recommendations of the First African Science and Technology Innovation (STI) Forum, which convened prior to ARFSD 5, including, inter alia: providing opportunities for young African innovators; financing research and development; developing STI infrastructure; good governance to ensure fair application of technologies; and scaling up institutional skills. Zimbabwe offered, and delegates accepted, to host the sixth session of the Forum in 2020 in Victoria Falls. They adopted the Summary and Key Messages of ARFSD 5, with any further edits and messages to be forwarded to the Secretariat for inclusion in the document. Delegates also adopted the Marrakech Declaration, which, among other things, reaffirmed the region’s commitment to SDG implementation and welcomed the establishment of the Congo Basin, Sahel and Island States Climate Commissions at the 2016 UN Climate Conference.During closing remarks, Giovanie Biha, deputy Executive Secretary, ECA, drew attention to the unprecedented large number of attendees, over 800 hundred participants from 51 countries, and praised the gender equality of the current Bureau. She concluded by reaffirming Morocco’s commitment, as the Bureau Chair, towards the progress of the SDGs and the Agenda 2063 in Africa.ARFSD 5 Chair El Ouafi brought the Forum to a close at 8:00pm.

    IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage from ARFSD 5. In addition IISD Reporting Services has published a summary report from ARFSD 5, which is available in HTML and PDF.

    Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu

    For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page

    Parallel Panel Meetings for Indepth Review, Peerlearning and Dialogue on the Sub-themes of the
    Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

    Morning Sessions
    Nezha El Ouafi, ARFSD 5 Chair, conferring with Oliver Chinganya, ECA, during discussions on strengthening the key messages of ARFSD 5.
    Sophie Nonnenmacher, International Organization for Migration
    H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma, Special Envoy to the President of Burkina Faso for SDGs and Climate Change
    View of the room during a presentation by Rajae Chafil, Climate Change Competence Center of Morocco
    Oumarou Mahamadou, Niger
    Sidou Nouhou, Niger
    Participants during the morning session
    Jacqueline Amongin, Uganda
    Thierry Amoussougbo, ECA
    Ivan Gibson Dumba, Zimbabwe
    Sering Falu Njae, the Gambia
    The dais during the morning session
    Pedro Bayeme Ayingono, Central African Economic and Monetary Community
    Roseline Kihumba, HelpAge International
    Afternoon Session
    The dais during the afternoon session
    Ildephonse Niyomugabo, Rwanda
    Moctar Ba, Mali
    Closing Session
    Giovanie Biha, Deputy Executive-Secretary, ECA, giving closing remarks
    Nezha El Ouafi, ARFSD 5 Chair, delivering closing remarks
    Delegates congratulating Morocco for a successful ARFSD 5
    Around the Venue
    The IISD RS team (L-R) Wanja Nyingi, Sean Wu, Kate Helfenstein-Louw, Nicole de Paula, and Charles Muraya, ECA