Highlights and images for 17 April 2019

Morocco

Summary

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

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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

Participants

Negotiating blocs
African Union