30 November 2022, Nairobi | The APRM continental secretariat in collaboration with the APRM National Secretariat in Kenya organised technical consultations on the forthcoming report on SDG 16 and governance goals of Agenda 2063. The technical consultations were organised with active participation of strategic partners including UN Economics Commission for Africa, UNDP- Regional office in Addis Ababa, Oslo Governance Centre, and equally the SDGs centre for Africa.
The report aims to provides a comprehensive diagnostic review of progress Aspiration three of AU 2063 and SDG 16 of Agenda 2030 in Africa. further, it aims to address persistent governance challenges across the continent including corruption, leaving no one behind and inclusiveness of decision making.
On behalf of Prof. Eddy Maloka, Mr. Jean- Yves Adou , Acting Director of Monitoring and evaluation noted that APRM took the initiative to produce a new progress report on SDG 16 and governance aspects of Agenda 2063 guided by the Expanded mandate. Further, the report aims to complement other regional reports on good governance progress on the continent including the APRM 2023 Africa governance report which addresses a specific issue on unconstitutional change of governments in Africa.
Mr. Amrah Kallon, Deputy Minister, provided opening remarks on behalf of Amb. Foday Yumkella - Minister of Political and Public Affairs , Sierra Lone and Chair of APRM Focal Points. He expressed appreciation to the government and people of Kenya for hosting the APRM Meetings. Moreover , he added “it is imperative to rely on accurate and reliable African data to understand the current status quo of SDGs and Agenda 2063 aspirations , especially the said goal , to ensure that rule of law, justice and peace building are entrenched through our activities as policy makers or takers”.
It is worth noting that the technical consultations and data collection meeting offered a chance for APRM member countries to share the current development towards governance reforms under the framework of both mentioned agendas further, it sought to brief member states on progress towards the report’s preparations to ensure an inclusive approach throughout drafting the report. The consultations witnessed efficient participation from SDGs/Agenda 2063 experts at national level from different African countries including Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Namibia and Zambia alongside representatives from the Regional Economic - SADC.
The core experts from the SDGs centre for Africa – Ambrose Rwaheru Aheisibwe (PhD) – Director of SDGs subregional Centre in Zambia and Enock Nyorekwa Twinoburyo (PhD) – Economist- alongside Ms. Sara Hamouda -Continental governance program at APRM briefed the audience on the report methodological framework, data collection methods and current trend analysis of SDG 16 and Aspiration three/4 of Agenda 2063. Further, a brief presentation was offered on the latest findings of APRM Survey on governance mechanisms for the implementation of both agendas. The survey was circulated from April-August 2022 to allow African countries to answer it and provide input on best practices.
Moving forward, the report is foreseen to be presented to the APRM national structures at a convenient time during the first quarter of 2023 prior to the final validation by member states. The Report is foreseen to be launched on the margins of the Africa Sustainable Development Forum in Niger by March 2023.
