APRM - UNOSAA-UNDESA High-Level Roundtable – UNGA 80
Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on APRM: Renewed Vision for Adaptive Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa”
25 September | 1.00 - 2.30 pm
Venue: UN Secretariat General- 26TH floor
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a voluntarily acceded initiative committed to advancing good governance across the African continent. In alignment with the decisions of the African Union (AU) Assembly, the APRM has strategically evolved its continental and global engagements to effectively fulfil its mandate. This includes supporting the tracking of governance progress in Africa and assisting Member States in monitoring and evaluating governance dimensions of Agenda 2063, under the framework of AU institutional reforms initiated in 2017. This progress has been made possible through the valuable support of a range of partners, including United Nations agencies.
Despite these efforts, the governance landscape has been impacted by a range of complex and interlinked crises. These include the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public service delivery, the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government, and ongoing conflict-related challenges. Collectively, these factors have contributed to a slower pace in advancing the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
While over 30 country governance reviews and various regional and national reports and capacity-building initiatives have been undertaken by the APRM and AU institutions, governance performance in many African countries remains below expectations. Persistent challenges include corruption, illicit financial flows, policy incoherence, and weaknesses in multi-level governance structures. These governance issues are closely intertwined with socio-economic difficulties such as poverty, institutional fragmentation, unequal resource management, weakened social contracts, and the erosion of constitutional norms.
The APRM–United Nations collaboration has played a critical role in promoting governance reforms in countries such as South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Nigeria, Namibia, Zambia, and Uganda. Notable initiatives include the APRM–UNDESA programme aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Principles of Effective Governance for the SDGs and Agenda 2063, and the APRM–UNOSSC partnership to strengthen South-South Cooperation within Africa’s governance ecosystem. These efforts have supported more inclusive and consistent voluntary reporting mechanisms, leading to measurable outcomes with the support of diverse development partners.
The APRM Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue is a timely initiative designed to amplify the Mechanism’s contribution to strengthening governance reform amid a fragmented global landscape and evolving continental dynamics. It provides a vital platform for dialogue among APRM, high-level representatives from AU Member States, and strategic partners to share insights and align priorities in support of a more resilient and accountable governance ecosystem—guided by the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063.
Objectives and expected outcomes
- Forge the APRM–UN Partnership on Governance in Africa: Deepen the ongoing dialogue between APRM and United Nations agencies by amplifying joint efforts to address governance challenges across the continent. This includes highlighting key governance trends and shared priorities, with particular emphasis on the implementation of Agenda 2063’s Moonshot 3—which aims to entrench democratic values and strong institutions—and the AU’s Theme of the Year, reinforcing a collective commitment to good governance and peacebuilding.
- Share insights of key findings and recommendations of APRM’s flagship publications and continental initiatives, including the African Governance Report and the outcomes of the Third High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation. These knowledge products provide critical evidence to inform policymaking, foster accountability, and encourage peer learning among AU Member States.
- Raise awareness and support for the APRM Strategic Plan (2025–2028): Engage development partners, philanthropic foundations, and key governance stakeholders in championing the APRM Strategic Plan for 2025–2028. The plan outlines priority interventions to strengthen governance mechanisms, promote institutional resilience, and enhance the APRM’s operational effectiveness across the continent.
STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND TARGETED AUDIENCE
- AU Commission, UN Special Advisor office on Africa (UNOSAA), UN DESA, UN office for South-South Cooperation, Mo Ibrahim Foundation and other partners.
- Representatives of AU member states, APRM national structures, think tanks and civil society organisations.
REGISTRATION:
Kindly register to participate physically in this event via https://forms.gle/uS8vYsUm34gEoFVH8
CONTACT PERSONS
• Ms Sara Hamouda, Senior Continental and Global Governance Officer, APRM Continental Secretariat, sara.hamouda@aprm-au.org.
• Mr. Jaruis Harris, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Liberia to the United Nations.
• Ms Michelle Mendi Muita, Strategic Research Specialist, UNDP, michellemendi.muita@undp.orgg and Moderation: H.E Ambassador Mohamed Idris, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations
AGENDA
- Moderation: Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bakri Nyei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Liberia
- Opening Remarks (High-Level Segment) – 5 Minutes Each
- H.E. Ambassador Marie Antoinette Rose Quatre, CEO, APRM Continental Secretariat
- Mr Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Social and Economic Affairs (DESA)
- Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP
- H.E. Selma Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission
- Panel discussion led by APRM, member states, and key UN organs (13.20-14.00)
- H.E. Ahmed Attaf, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Algeria • H.E. Ms Kenyeh Barely, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Sierra Leone
- H.E. Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning and APRM Focal Point, Liberia
- H. E Dr Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Egypt
- H.E Hon. Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, Minister of Public Service and Administration and APRM Focal Point, Republic of South Africa (tbc)
- H.E. Ms Dima Al-Khatib, Director General, UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
- Mr Jean Paul-Adam, Director for Policy, Monitoring and Advocacy, UN office for Special Adviser on Africa (UNOSAA)
- Guest of honour/closing speech - Government of Uganda
- Group photo
Download PDF: Concept Note & Agenda: APRM - UNOSAA-UNDESA High-Level Roundtable – UNGA 80
