The outbreak of COVID-19 in Africa negatively affected economies, regional integration, social
cohesion and health systems within the countries in Africa. The African Union’s Agenda 2063, the
Sustainable Development Goals and other development goals and targets are under threat1.At the
same time, a growing burden of unsustainable debt before the pandemic and reduced revenue for the
developing countries during the pandemic has now become a major brake on public spending, placing
public services including healthcare provision at much further risk. As the countries rush to recover
from Covid-19, there is a likelihood that there will be shift in focus from addressing climate change
to economic recovery agenda yet the continent badly needs to continue addressing the climate crisis
which remain a major challenge for the continent. It is imperative that efforts geared towards
economic recovery, should go hand in hand with climate change response strategies.
The SDGs and climate change dialogue has been loud at high levels and in boardrooms while
meaningful engagement of the communities at the frontline of climate crisis and where it matters most
has been inadequate if not lacking. Youth, particularly, have curved a niche for themselves, and has
evolved into the most formindable stakeholders in the international dialogue processes, elevating the
concept of intergenerational equity and climate justice at a higher policy level. However, Covid -19 is
likely to affect implemnatation of the Paris Agreement and SDGs tremedously as most of the countries
are now focusing on rebuiling their economies that were devastated by the pandemic.This is reason
why the theme chosen for this year’s Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD)
is very relevant to the current situation in Africa. The eighth session of ARFSD will be held in Kigali,
Rwanda on 1st to 5th March 2022 and it is organised under the theme; “Building forward better: a
green, inclusive and resilient Africa poised to achieve the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 ” .
This forum is intended to be an action-oriented Forum for member States and other stakeholders to
explore and propose a set of concrete and workable solutions that will enable countries to rebuild
from COVID-19. That recovery should lead to a greener, more inclusive, and resilient Africa while
also advancing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. PACJA exploits the opportunity presented by
ARFSD by fostering the nexus between sustainable development goals and climate justice.
To register, click the link below. Your will get a confirmation and further details that will allow you to participate in these meetings:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvc-GqqTMuEtQ3Z0EwoV0-zi8wvkORSHfy
