African Union

Highlights for Wednesday, 17 April 2019 Delegates posing for a family photo On Wednesday, 17 April 2019, the Head of the Government of Morocco, Saad Dine El Otmani officially opened ARFSD 5, in Marrakech, Morocco, and in a keynote address, he described ARFSD 5 as a watershed moment for Africa to unite in stepping up efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Giovanie Biha, Deputy Executive Secretary, ECA, lauded Africa for successfully increasing the number of Voluntary National Review (VNR) submissions to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). Mesfin Tessema, African Union Commission (AUC), highlighted synergies between ARFSD 5 and the 2019 Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced People.A high-level panel session then took place, under the theme ‘Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality: Stepping up Action to Deliver the Commitments Contained in Agenda 2030.’ Delegates adopted the meeting agenda and approved the new Bureau, with delegates electing Nezha El Ouafi, Secretary of State in Charge of Sustainable Development, Morocco, as ARFSD 5 Chair.In the afternoon, a panel session on VNRs and peer learning on implementation, follow-up and review of Agendas 2030 and 2063 took place. Delegates also participated in parallel panel meetings on the sub-themes of the Forum: SDG 4 (quality education); SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth); SDG 10 (reduced inequalities); SDG 13 (climate action); SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions); and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals).The key messages from these sessions on progress of implementation, emerging issues, challenges and opportunities, and means of implementation will be presented to plenary Thursday, 18 April 2019, and will contribute to Africa’s position at the High-level Political Forum. 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 Opening Session Saad Dine El Otmani, Head of the Government of Morocco Oliver Chinganya, ECA Giovanie Biha, Deputy Director, ECA Young volunteers presenting gift bags to VIP guests Applause from the floor during the opening session Mesfin Tessema, AUC Nezha El Ouafi, Secretary of State in Charge of Sustainable Development, Morocco The dais during the opening session High-level Panel on Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality Delegates chatting during a break Jenerali Ulimwengu, Tanzania Oliver Chinganya, ECA Batio Bassiere, Minister of Environment, Green Economy and Climate Change, Burkina Faso Moumina Houmed Hassan, Minister for Women and Family, Djibouti Panelists discuss stepping up action to deliver the SDGs. Sheila Gweneth Carey, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Bahamas to the UN Afework Kassu Gizaw, State Minister of Science and Higher Education, Ethiopia Lively participation during the Q&A session Jacqueline Amongin, Uganda Abou Mouhamed Moubarack Lô, Senegal H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma, Special Envoy to the President of Burkina Faso for SDGs and Climate Change Election of the Bureau ARFSD 4 Chair Saliou Niang Dieng, Senegal ARFSD 5 Chair Nezha El Ouafi, Morocco, and ARFSD 4 Chair Saliou Niang Dieng, Senegal Parallel Panel Meetings Around the venue