Photo: @FAO/Diana Glover

25 April 2019, Marrakesh – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the continent’s key development partners, gathered in Morocco to recalibrate its efforts in ramping up the gains towards achieving regional and global development goals.

The Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (Regional Forum), convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with regional organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, advanced the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the goals set out in Africa ’s Agenda 2063.

The Regional Forum provided a multi-stakeholder platform for follow-up and review of progress and challenges in the implementation of the goals, while strengthening learning and advocating effective policy measures and actions.

The Regional Forum made important contributions to bolstering multistakeholder engagement and synergies and promoted concerted efforts to implement and achieve the development goals of the two mutually reinforcing agenda set out by the regional and global commitments. The Forum, opened by Morocco’s Head of Government, Saadeddine Othmani, heralded a call for Africa “to unite and fight its developmental challenges head-on with one voice and determination.”

Speaking to about 600 participants comprising of ministers, academia, civil society, and representatives of UN and partner agencies, Othmani said, “We must leave no stone unturned to ensure we succeed as a continent. We need to step up our partnerships and rise above our challenges. Empowering our people and populations and bringing greater quality is of utmost importance.”

From regional to global

The event, held from 16 to 18 April 2019, in Marrakesh promoted the theme, “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.” Delegates from myriad of representations across the globe and continent carried out in-depth reviews of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (quality education), Goal 8 (decent work and economic growth), Goal 10 (reduced inequalities), Goal 13 (climate action) and Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), alongside the corresponding goals of Agenda 2063.

In his remarks, Oliver Chinganya, the Economic Commission for Africa’s Statistic Director, said, “It is that time of the year, when we gather to discuss our shared agenda for sustainable development on our beloved continent. We have gathered here in Marrakesh in record numbers, knowing that in our different responsibilities, we can help make a difference, especially as we remain accountable to our citizens in the pursuit of our shared goals.”

The Forum showcased the shared and interconnected areas of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the pan African Agenda 2063. The event also served as the venue to sketch a roadmap and common position for Africa to the July 2019 High Level Political Forum (HLPF), which is the central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

Chinganya added that Africa cannot afford not to meet the sustainable development goals in a timely manner, “A delay in achieving the goals will extend and intensify the suffering of millions of people in Africa”.

Climate change holds back development efforts

In his opening speech, Othmani said the continent urgently needs to formulate a common position on current global issues, in particular, climate change, which he said, “is stalling Africa’s efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals and Agenda 2063.”

In the side event co-chaired by FAO’s Senior Policy Officer Koffi Amegbeto, discussions concluded that climate change can impede Africa’s quest to achieve all the 17 sustainable development goals that address global challenges, including the fight against hunger. Additionally, as a “threat multiplier,” stakeholders pointed out that climate change aggravates existing vulnerabilities and structural inequalities.

In light of the fatalities and destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Idai in the Southern African countries of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, African nations urged to prioritize the uptake and use of climate information as early warning measures to climate proof infrastructure and other investments as well as adopt contingency measures that will protect human life and shield property from climate induced disasters.

Amegbeto noted that climate change can take many forms and can impede the development efforts, in particular it can have a negative impact on land and agriculture. He added, “Climate change threatens the ability to ensure global food security. We must therefore transform food and agriculture systems to simultaneously nourish people, nurture the planet and build resilient livelihoods.”

To nourish 10 billion people in 2050 and meet significant increases in water, energy and food needs of the future, it is critical to promote nutrition-sensitive sustainable agriculture approaches and shift to more sustainable consumption and production practices, giving special consideration to the role of family farmers in ensuring sustainable food systems for healthy diets.

About the Regional Forum

The Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (the Regional Forum), convened by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with regional organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, intends to advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the goals set out in Africa ’s Agenda 2063. It provides a multi-stakeholder platform for follow-up and review of progress and challenges in the implementation of the goals, while strengthening learning and advocating effective policy measures and actions.

FAO and the 2030 Agenda

The 2030 Agenda offers a vision for food and agriculture as key to sustainable development. FAO possesses experience and expertise in supporting policymaking, partnership-building, and projects and programmes built on 3-dimensional sustainability. Both the SDGs and FAO's strategic framework are geared towards tackling the root causes of poverty and hunger, building a fairer society and leaving no one behind.

FAO's work on Climate Change

Climate change threatens the ability to ensure global food security, eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activity and livestock are a significant driver of climate change, trapping heat in the earth's atmosphere and triggering global warming.