UNDP at the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development #ARFSD2025

April 1, 2025

Event Details

Date

April 6, 2025 -
April 12, 2025

Time

See description for each event

Location

Speke Resort Convention Centre, Kampala, Uganda (rooms in description)- Some events are hybrid (registration link in description)

The Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) will take place from 9 to 11 April 2025 at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. Hosted by the Government of Uganda and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and UN agencies, the forum will focus on “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”

The objectives of this edition include a comprehensive review of progress, challenges and opportunities in implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 with specific focus on five key SDGs and the corresponding aspirations of Agenda 2063 with a special focus on its second ten-year implementation plan (STYIP).

SDG 3 (good health and well-being)
SDG 5 (gender equality)
SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth)
SDG 14 (life below water)
SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals)

Visit UNECA's website for more information about ARFSD.

UNDP at #ARFSD2025

UNDP will lead and support a number of high-level events on the margins of the forum. These discussions will cover youth employment, sovereign financing, digital innovation, energy access, carbon markets and sustainable livelihoods. The sessions reflect UNDP’s regional priorities and offer concrete entry points for collaboration across national, continental and global processes.

Check below for details on UNDP’s pre-events and side events starting from 6 April.

6 April

Dialogue on COP 29 Outcomes, Carbon Markets and Energy

9:00-17:00 GMT+3 | Room to be announced

This full-day dialogue, convened under the Africa Regional Collaborative Platform, will bring together UN Resident Coordinators, Regional Directors and key partners to explore how Africa can translate the outcomes of COP29 into action. The sessions will focus on carbon markets, energy access and broader environmental sustainability goals, with the aim of shaping collective UN support and advancing national climate priorities in line with the SDGs and Agenda 2063.

7 April

Implementation of the second STYIP of Agenda 2063 and the role of UNCTs.

All day | Room to be announced

This pre-forum event will focus on how UN Country Teams can support the effective implementation of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063. The session will highlight the importance of development plans as instruments of commitment across all governance levels and explore how to strengthen delivery through national systems and integrated reporting. UNDP will join partners in reinforcing coordinated action and advancing Africa’s transformation agenda through practical support, policy tools and data systems. Co-organized by UNECA, the African Union Commission, UNDP, AUDA-NEPAD, UNICEF and ACBF.

Moving Forward Faster Now on SDGs with the Private Sector in Africa

All day | Room to be announced

This forum will bring together private sector actors to explore how businesses in Africa can drive progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The event will highlight the business case for the SDGs, share practical tools, and showcase experiences from across the continent. It forms part of the UN Global Compact’s Forward Faster initiative. Organized by UN-ECA, the UN Global Compact, the Government of Uganda, the African Development Bank and the UN system in Uganda. UNDP is providing support through the Resident Coordinator’s Office.

Sustaining Progress toward Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls through Enhanced Economic Opportunity

Time to be announced | Room to be announced

The Spotlight Initiative side event at ARFSD-11 aims to catalyze sustained action to eliminate violence against women and girls (VAWG) by advancing women’s economic empowerment (WEE) across Africa. By convening key stakeholders, including governments, regional bodies, financial institutions, UN agencies and civil society, the event will spotlight the urgent need for integrated, gender-transformative solutions that address economic and social drivers of VAWG. Co-organized by the Spotlight Initiative and partners, the event will highlight innovative financing strategies, policy linkages and scalable programmes, contributing to the continent’s progress toward the SDGs and Agenda 2063. Key insights will inform ongoing global discussions, including the 2025 Financing for Development Conference.

8 April

Youth pre-event

Full day | Room to be announced

The ARSDF-11 Pre -Youth Event aims to catalyze action towards achieving youth-led solutions for employment, economic growth, and sustainable development in Africa. By bringing together key stakeholders, namely young entrepreneurs, private sector, financial institutions, Member States, Civil society organization and the United Nations, the event will not only highlight the urgent need for job creation but will also chart a collective path toward realizing the aspirations of Africa’s youth in line with the SDGs and Agenda 2063. The event is co-organized by the Government of Uganda, UNDP, ECA, OSAA, DGC and the Pan-African Youth Union. Key messages will contribute to the Africa session of the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York.

Fireside Chat on Leveraging Credit Ratings for Financing Africa’s Development

Time to be announced | Room to be announced

This interactive session will explore how African countries can strengthen their sovereign credit ratings and unlock access to international private financing. It will reflect on the creation of the Africa Credit Rating Agency and discuss how credit frameworks can better reflect African contexts. Co-organized by UNDP and UNECA, the session will feature perspectives from high-level speakers on improving Africa’s financial resilience and long-term development financing.

Advancing inclusive development during complex political transitions

16:30 GMT+3 | Majestic Room

Organized by the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT), and African Futures, this side event will focus on the intersection between inclusive development and political transitions, drawing from a recent UNDP report: ‘Advancing Inclusive Development: Policy options for Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, Mali and Niger’. The session will bring together policymakers, development practitioners, civil society representatives and private sector actors to exchange insights, share experiences and propose policy recommendations aimed at promoting inclusive development complex political transition contexts.

Energy Access Investment Forum: Official Opening

08:30 GMT+3 | Room to be announced

Hosted under the patronage of Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) is the leading annual event dedicated to advancing renewable electrification. Organized by the Alliance for Rural Electrification, with the support of GET.invest, the forum brings together private and public investors, development partners and energy sector stakeholders to accelerate access to clean, affordable and sustainable energy. The 2025 edition will mark EAIF’s tenth anniversary and will run in parallel with the ARFSD. The programme will feature expert panels, matchmaking sessions, an exhibition and a field visit, with a focus on investment opportunities, business partnerships and scalable solutions for energy access in Africa.

More info. Register.

9 April

10 April