Uganda’s role as the host of the eleventh Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (#ARFSD11) and as the Chair of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development Bureau shone throughout the Forum.
The eleventh Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (#ARFSD11), held in Kampala from 6th – 11th April 2025 under the theme “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science-and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and AU Agenda 2063.” This Forum was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of Uganda (Host Government) through the National SDG Secretariat Office of the Prime Minister and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Uganda in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the A
H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda delivers his keynote address during the Presidential Dialogue at the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11)
frican Development Bank, United Nations system organizations, Civil Society Organizations and the Private Sector.
More broadly, Uganda’s top leadership helped set the tone of the Forum. President Yoweri Museveni delivered the keynote address, recounting Uganda’s economic journey from the colonial 3Ts and 3Cs to a modern, knowledge-based economy. He emphasized that Africa must tackle its challenges through self-reliance and integration, urging the continent to move from pre-industrial to industrial societies via deeper regional cooperation.
The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, delivers her speech during the opening of the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11)
These messages resonated with the diverse representation at the forum: heads of state from across Africa attended in person or by representation such as H.E. President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni, H.E. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chair Southern African Development Community (SADC), H.E. John Mbadi Ng’ongo, Cabinet Secretary of the National Treasury and Economic Planning representing Dr William Samoei Ruto, the President of Republic of Kenya and Chair East African Community (EAC), H.E.Gaudencio Mohaba Mesu. , the First Deputy Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea representing the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chair of Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).
The President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni with the former Heads of State and Government that attended the Forum
The Former Heads of State and Government that attended the eleventh Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (#ARFSD11) and the Africa Leadership Forum 2025 included; H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (former President of Tanzania), H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe (former Prime Minister of Ethiopia), H.E. Dr. Moncef Marzouki (former President of Tunisia), and H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma (former President of Sierra Leone). Also present were Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed who attended virtually, UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) President Robert Rae, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) among others. Their participation underscored Uganda’s stewardship of the agenda and the regional unity behind it.
H.E. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), delivers his speech during the opening of the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11)
Every year during the African Region Forum on Sustainable Development, the Bureau for the Forum is elected. By tradition, the sub region of the outgoing Chair is designated as Rapporteur of the following session, and the other sub regions move up one step on the ladder of Bureau positions. In addition, the hosting sub region is the Chair of the Bureau, except when the meeting is hosted at the headquarters of the secretariat
Rt Hon. Justine Lumumba Kasule, Minister General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda chairs the session for the adoption of the Kampala Declaration.
The Bureau for 2025/2026 Chaired by Hon. Kasule Lumumba Justine, Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Uganda. The First Vice-Chair is Hon. Fabrice David, Junior Minister for Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries, Mauritius. The Second Vice-Chair is Hon. Oliver Agho, Member of Parliament, Cameroon. The Third Vice-Chair is Hon. Sering Falu Njie, Office of the Vice President, The Gambia. The Rapporteur is Hon. Sid’Ahmed Ould Bouh, the Minister of the Economy and Finance, Mauritania and outgoing Chairperson of the 2024/2025 Bureau.
The bureau is responsible for; steering in-session deliberations of the Regional Forum to ensure the active and inclusive participation of all stakeholders and the adoption of the session’s outcomes (Key Messages and Kampala Declaration); following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the sessions of the Regional Forum and report on progress made in that regard during subsequent sessions of the Forum; presenting and advocating the outcomes of the sessions of the Regional Forum at the high-level political forum on sustainable development and at other global, regional, sub regional and national conferences or meetings