12th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-12) Kicks Off in Addis Ababa
The 12th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-12) took place in Addis Ababa from April 28 to 30, 2026, with a unified call from African leaders and international partners for urgent and coordinated acceleration of the implementation of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and the African Union's Agenda 2063. This annual meeting, themed "Reversing the Trend: Transformative and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063," brings together ministers, high-level government officials, representatives of regional institutions, UN agencies, the private sector, civil society, and development partners in a hybrid format aimed at strengthening continental coordination ahead of major global sustainable development milestones.
A Call for Paradigm Shift in Development Approach
From the outset, Claver Gatete, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), emphasized the need for a profound paradigm shift in the continent's development approach. He noted that the main African strategic frameworks already exist, but the real challenge lies in their effective and large-scale implementation. Gatete advocated for a move from fragmented sectoral approaches to a systemic vision based on policy coherence, concrete action, and increased resource mobilization.
Urgent Call to Accelerate Implementation of African and Global Agendas
In this context, Gatete presented five key priorities that he deemed essential for accelerating Africa's transformation. He stressed the need to consider essential services such as water, energy, and infrastructure as genuine economic assets, to bridge the infrastructure financing gap through public-private partnerships, to make African cities drivers of growth and employment, to accelerate both digital and ecological transitions, and to strengthen governance through data, solid institutions, and increased regional cooperation.
Addressing the Global Context
Addressing the global context, the ECA Executive Secretary highlighted that the continent is evolving in an environment marked by economic slowdown, rising inequalities, geopolitical tensions, and intensifying climate shocks. However, he believed that these constraints should not lead to a reduction in African ambitions but rather to their transformation into opportunities for innovation and cooperation.
Challenges and Opportunities
Gatete noted that these challenges take on an even more critical dimension in Africa, where demographic, urban, and climate transitions overlap with persistent structural fragilities. He recalled that the water, sanitation, energy, infrastructure, and cities sectors constitute the foundations of the continent's economic transformation, as they condition growth, job creation, and inequality reduction.
Experience of Ethiopia and Upcoming COP32
The ECA Executive Secretary also commended Ethiopia's experience, the host country of the Forum, and the efforts of its Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, particularly in reforestation, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming COP32 in Addis Ababa as a lever to strengthen global climate cooperation.
Urgent Need for Concrete Results
For her part, Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda and Chair of the ARFSD-11 Bureau, insisted on the urgency of translating commitments into concrete and measurable results. With only four years left before the 2030 deadline, she called for immediate mobilization around science, technology, innovation, regional integration, innovative financing, and solid partnerships.
Progress and Challenges
Nabbanja highlighted the progress made under Uganda's presidency, including the adoption of the Kampala Declaration and the strengthening of commitment tracking through several Bureau meetings. The Ugandan Prime Minister indicated that progress has been recorded in aligning national plans with the Sustainable Development Goals, improving data systems, coordinating policies, and accelerating implementation. However, she warned that financing deficits, climate vulnerability, and the need to intensify innovation remain major obstacles.
Central Role of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Nabbanja also underscored the central role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), transport infrastructure, affordable energy, and the reduction of business costs in the continent's competitiveness.
Statement from the African Union Commission
In a statement read on behalf of the Chair of the African Union Commission, Vice-Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi saluted Uganda's leadership in the process and its commitment to international instances. She estimated that the session is being held at a decisive moment, as the progress made remains insufficient to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Five Key Priorities
Haddadi specified that the Forum's work this year focuses on five major priorities: access to drinking water and sanitation, clean and affordable energy, industry and innovation, sustainable cities, and partnerships for development. According to her, these areas constitute essential levers for accelerating the continent's structural transformation and fully align with the ambitions of Agenda 2063.
Progress and Challenges
The African Union Commission Vice-Chairperson indicated that several member states are making progress in aligning their national policies with the ten-year implementation plan of Agenda 2063, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, regional integration, and digital transformation, in line with initiatives like the AfCFTA. However, she alerted to the persistence of major challenges, including development financing, youth unemployment, climate change effects, and inequalities.
Importance of Partnership
Haddadi emphasized the importance of the partnership between the African Union and the United Nations, reinforced by an agreement signed in 2018, as a structuring framework for improving coordination and the effectiveness of development programs.
Conclusion and Recommendations
At the end of the proceedings, participants are expected to formulate concrete recommendations aimed at strengthening Africa's unified voice in global processes and accelerating the implementation of both agendas at the national, regional, and continental levels. The African Union Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with all partners to "build a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Africa" by durably reversing the current trend.
