This year’s High- Level Political Forum (HLPF) has commenced at the United Nations HQ in New York. The HLPF 2019 is held under the theme ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’ and reviews in-depth five goals; SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). 16 African countries submitted their National Voluntary Reviews (VNRs) at the HLPF 2019.

The Forum is a platform for countries around the world to voluntarily report on the state of SDGs implementation in their nations and the challenges for its attainment. In addition to the VNRs of different UN Member states, various side events, multilateral and bilateral consultations are taking place to address the challenges many countries face in the implementation of SDGs including data collection and measurability as well as the role of regional mechanisms and commissions in fostering efforts and strengthening governments ‘institutional capacities for the domestication of SDGs at national levels.

Highlights have included meetings on; Financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), lessons learned from the regions and experiences on best practices on SDGs as well and peace-security issues relevant to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable development. This year, African countries which presented their VNRs  were; Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameron, Central Republic of Africa, Chad, Cote’ d’Ivoire, Congo, eSwatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Mauritania, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, and Tanzania.

Prior to the official opening, the APRM was actively engaged in the HLPF exhibition with other international organizations as well as the VNR labs. The APRM took part in two VNR Labs on the regional process of VNR in Africa and the peace-security relevance to Agenda 2030, on July 11 & 13th respectively. Furthermore, the APRM will be hosting a side event on SDGs 16 and 17 which will demonstrate African countries’ national experiences, including Egypt, Cote D’Ivoire and South Africa, on domestication, finance and raising awareness of SDGs. The side event will also highlight the role of partnerships in aligning efforts for fostering the realization of SDGs and Agenda 2063 for ”The Africa We Want”.

The APRM CEO, Prof. Eddy Maloka, inaugurated his mission by conducting bilateral discussions with the Permanent Representatives of Egypt and Sudan to the United Nations with fruitful talks on issues of governance, peace and security in Africa. From his side, the permanent ambassador of Egypt, Amb. Mohamed Edrees commended the role of the APRM as a continental mechanism to support African sister countries in enhancing their governance structures and sharing best practices. 

The HLPF sessions aim to improve and contribute towards the efforts of States as highlighted by the session on; “Four years of VNRs; Lessons learned on implementing the SDGs”. The HLPF is set to conclude this week with a session on: “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”, to ensure more equitable distribution of benefits associated with development in States.

The voluntary national reviews (VNRs) aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

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