6th session of AFRFSD ends on high note

the continent to implement the SDGs between now and 2030 .

For the first time all the 17 SDGs were discussed at one meeting between Monday and Thursday.

Proceedings however, started on Saturday with a youth boot camp and there were numerous side events parallel to the main forum which was officially opened by President Mnangagwa on Tuesday.

“The journey has just begun. We now have the Victoria Falls Declaration on the Decade of Action where we need to integrate our actions. We must act and act collectively. We should combine efforts and ensure our efforts are greater than our challenges since we have agreed that we will implement the SDGs in 10 years,” said Ms Songwe.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima, who chaired the closing session said the Decade of Action should be a period of achievement.

He concurred that the forum had provided a launch pad for action.

“This forum has provided a form of launch pad for acceleration of action. Time for action is now and Africa has to unite to fulfil the vision of our founding fathers particularly Kwame Nkrumah. We are proud to have come up with a document

the Victoria Falls Declaration and as incoming chair, I wish to commit myself to work with the bureau in mainstreaming SDGs and the two agendas,” Prof Mavima said.

“The Victoria Falls Declaration has very clear recommendations and what is left now is to go full throttle hence now is the time to positively change the narrative and say rise Africa, Shine Africa.”

The regional forum is an intergovernmental platform convened by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and the United Nations system to review progress, share experiences and lessons learned towards attaining the continent’s Agenda 2063 and 2030 Agenda.

Zimbabwe assumed chairmanship until the next meeting next year.

The theme for this year was: “2020-2030: A Decade to Deliver a Transformed and Prosperous Africa through the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”

The recommendations will build to an African position going into the UN summit in July this year. @ncubeleon