Major groups and other stakeholders at the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD12) are in agreement on the need for urgent action to overcome structural barriers that hinder development across the continent.
This category of ARFSD stakeholders includes civil society, business and industry organizations, and academic and research institutions gathered to address the pressing challenges impeding progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The discussions revealed uneven progress and structural constraints
They underscored that despite some advancements, progress in Africa remains uneven and significantly constrained by major obstacles, such as growing debt vulnerabilities, declining official development assistance, data gaps, weak accountability, and shrinking civic space.
Participants underscored the importance of adopting people-centered and rights-based approaches to ensure that no one is left behind. This entails a particular focus on vulnerable groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. To support these efforts, they called for inclusive and disaggregated data systems, gender-responsive budgeting, and stronger connections between national commitments and local implementation.
