Welcome Address at Pre-event on Accelerating Transformation through the Implementation of Agenda 2063’s Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) alongside the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: The Role of the RC System in Africa

Salutations:

• African Union Commission Director for Strategic Planning, Ms. Botho Kebabonye Bayendi;
• AUDA-NEPAD Director of Strategic Planning, Mr. Mohamed Abdisalam;
• UN Economic Commission for Africa Director of Strategy, Mr. Said Adejumobi;
• UN Development Coordination Officer (DCO) Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Yacoub Ali El-Hillo;
• The Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire to Ethiopia and the African Union, His Excellency, Ennio Maes;
• Director, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, Dr. Matthias Naab;
• Distinguished Participants;
• Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to this important meeting on Accelerating Transformation through the Implementation of Agenda 2063's Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) Alongside the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: The Role of the RC System in Africa 

Today marks a significant moment as we gather for this important meeting, and I am pleased to welcome you all to Uganda.

The Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) plays a pivotal role in supporting Africa's transformation, and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is crucial for several reasons. The African Union Agenda 2063 reinforces the 2030 Agenda, focusing on accelerating Africa’s development through inclusive growth, peace, and sustainable development. Its primary aim is to transform Africa’s infrastructure, promote economic integration, and enhance the capacity of institutions to deliver the desired development targets.

The United Nations (UN) plays a critical role in supporting Africa’s priorities by aligning its activities with Agenda 2063, specifically the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. The UN collaborates with African countries to foster sustainable development, peace and security, human rights, and climate action. As the drivers of Agenda 2063, African governments have identified key priority areas that align with or complement the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan.

Integrating Africa’s development goals into global efforts is essential for transforming its infrastructure, promoting economic integration, and strengthening institutional capacities. In Uganda, and other African, the UN actively supports both agendas, aligning national development plans with the principles of the 2030 Agenda and the broader goals of Agenda 2063. Key areas of convergence include poverty eradication, social development (such as education and health), inclusive economic development, gender equality, peaceful societies, and climate change. The UN system has also underlined the critical role of energy as a driver of sustainable development and actively engaged in efforts towards sustainable energy transition in Africa.

In Uganda, the synergy between the two agendas is embodied in the concept of "two agendas, one framework." This approach ensures that both agendas are localized and integrated into sectoral and local government planning and implementation frameworks. The importance of this strategy lies in its ability to create a harmonized and unified approach to implementing both agendas, minimizing duplication, optimizing resource use, and mobilizing support for Africa’s transformation.

The importance of deeper horizontal and vertical integration, coordination, collaboration, and alignment between the AU and UN in implementing Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda has been underscored by the leadership. This partnership aims to provide comprehensive support to AU Member States through mechanisms such as the Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP) and UN country teams. Both organizations have agreed to enhance the joint implementation of these agendas by promoting a results-based approach, focusing on critical areas such as energy access, food security, climate action, financing for development, and governance.

Key Areas of Focus:

• Development Assistance: The UN provides essential technical assistance, funding, and policy guidance in key areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and poverty reduction. These efforts are designed to support sustainable development and improve living conditions across Africa.
• Monitoring and Reporting: The UN helps monitor and track the progress of both Agenda 2063 and the SDGs, ensuring that targets are met, and challenges are addressed collaboratively. This allows for continuous adjustments to programs and policies to ensure the achievement of both agendas.

The AU-UN partnership remains a cornerstone in the pursuit of Africa’s transformation, working together to build a prosperous, peaceful, and integrated continent by 2063. Both organizations, through their respective frameworks and resources, are committed to supporting the achievement of Africa's development goals and ensuring the success of these transformative agendas. 

This meeting will provide us a significant opportunity to share experiences, and provide for a deeper understanding of the means to strengthen our collaboration towards aligning for better delivery. I am confident that the deliberations will yield significant recommendations.

I wish you successful deliberations. 

Thank you for your kind attention.