The Sunday News
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Sixth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (AFRFSD) which ended in Victoria Falls last Thursday ushered in a paradigm shift in African politics and thinking.
Acceleration of implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusivity and leaving no African behind, partnerships and co-operation, gender equality, investment in science innovation and youth education were some of the key elements that the continent concurred on taking as a route of action.
For the past decade implementation of SDGs has been at a slow pace, a development the United Nations and African Union said was worrying, hence the launch of the Decade of Action which seeks to ensure all countries accelerate national strategies and ensure that all citizens see their futures in SDGs as well as in Agenda 2063 and 2030 Agenda.
The forum came up with what has been termed the Victoria Falls Declaration which will guide the way forward for member states. For the first time all the 17 SDGs were discussed in one meeting and attended by various interest groups and stakeholders such as youths that had never been part of the high level forum.
The full list of the SDGs in their order: No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequality, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace and justice strong institutions and partnerships to achieve the goal.
There were also calls for countries to target areas of interest when implementing the SDGs, which are grouped into five themes namely: People, Peace, Prosperity, Planet and Partnerships. Some countries are landlocked hence have no need to focus on SDGs on marine life.
While a few countries have taken the lead, UN Deputy Secretary-General Ms Amina Mohammed called for accelerated action, adding that challenges of climate change, hunger, terrorism and conflict were causing too much suffering on the continent.
She said 22 million people in Africa are food insecure while about 428 million are living in poverty.
“The success of the SDGs depends on the success of Africa’s Agenda 2063. Since no country is on track to achieve the SDGs then all countries must accelerate on ambition and we can start with our budgets, policies and institutions.
“The nexus between climate change, hunger, terrorism, conflict and displacement is causing havoc and human suffering in many countries while gender inequality is costing the continent about $95 billion every year in lost opportunities,” she said.
Agenda 2016 was adopted in 2015 and is both a Vision and an Action Plan that calls for action to all segments of African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny. UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Ms Vera Songwe implored African Governments to improve leadership and invest in youths as they are the future. She said for the Victoria Falls forum had broken many records as she urged African countries to start trading among themselves.
President Mnangagwa, who officially opened the forum said Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 directly addresses the aspirations highlighted by the SDGs and Agenda 2063. During the deliberations, it came out that SDGs 1-5: No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, are at the heart of all goals.
“To attain all the SDGs, we have to first achieve SDGs 1 to 5,” participants concurred.
They said African theme of silencing the guns is critical as the guns are no longer with the Governments but with human and drug traffickers, money launderers and other cross border challenges. Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima who assumed chairmanship of the forum on behalf of Zimbabwe by virtue of being the Minister in charge of social services, said targeting and inclusivity is key in attainment of SDGs.
“We can’t talk about any other SDGs if we don’t talk about those around people. Any development should serve and address the interests of our people and how to improve their livelihoods. It doesn’t help for a country to have double digits growth when some people are left behind. The continent must now start thinking and acting positively towards meeting its goals,” said Prof Mavima.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the conference presented a turning point from grabbing to trading. He said in the past the world grew by grabbing resources and the new Decade of Action should usher in growth through trading.
“Africa should improve its competitive advantage to attract partners. The world is diverse and if we co-operate in innovation, science and technology and minerals we prosper. We need to invest in partnerships which is very important as we move from grabbing to trading,” he said.
Some of the key messages contained in the Victoria Falls Declaration include: addressing poverty and inequality in tandem with development of infrastructure and household sustainability, member countries must formulate appropriate policies with sustainable funding, good governance and trade among African countries through the Continental Free Trade Area, member states should sign and ratify legal documents for establishing continental finance institutions and other AU treaties, support urbanisation to make cities safe and sustainable and address mounting debt which affect implantation of SDGs.
The member states were also encouraged to conduct voluntary national reviews, develop clear mechanism and investment in aggregated data which is the missing link so far, strengthen resource mobilisation and implemented people-oriented strategies.
The forum also agreed that both African Union and United Nations should work together and member states should design clear communication and monitoring frameworks for the Agenda so the continent can speak in one voice, women empowerment, job creation, climate change management strategies, and above all co-operate in solving people problems to generate prosperity and peace in the continent.
Zimbabwe will present the African message on behalf of the continent at the high level forum to be held in New York from 7 to 16 July this year. In her closing remarks, Ms Songwe commended member states for opening themselves up to allow the continent to evolve. She reiterated the need to for decisive action. The theme for the forum was: “2020-2030: A decade to deliver a transformed and prosperous Africa through the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”
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