The Seventeenth Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) for Africa kicked off on 2nd April 2016 at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, amidst reiterated calls for coordination in the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the global Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030).

RCM-Africa – a platform for the UN system to support the African Union and its member countries to implement global, and continental development goals in Africa – will play a key role in making this a reality.

The meeting was highly attended by high officials from the African Union Commission (AUC) led by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; the UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the ECA, Mr. Carlos Lopes; the Representative of the UN Deputy Secretary General, Under Secretary General and UN Special Adviser on Africa, Maged Abdelaziz; high officials from UN agencies and Systems; the African Development Bank; the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency; the World Bank and the IMF; and AU Member States.

The deliberations called for strengthening of partnership, accountability, progressive monitoring and evaluation system, and transformative path to the economic development of Africa through syncing the Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Officially opening the meeting H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, stated that one important lesson from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa is that initial conditions invariably influenced the pace of progress on global development agendas. However, each region has to consider both what it has and it’s aspirations in order to meet obligations to its citizens as well as global obligations.

She indicated that, it comes as no surprise in the technical analysis of the goals of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals that there is over 90% convergent. The implementation of the Agenda 2063 priorities will help in meeting the sustainable development goals. “The RCM in 2015 agreed on the need for joint implementation, and this 17th RCM must therefore focus on the practicalities of this at continental level with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs),” noted the AUC Chairperson. She further acknowledged the recommendations on the reconfigured RCM clusters based on the agenda 2063 10 year Implementation Plan, on the concrete joined programs for implementation at continental as well as regional level with the sub regional mechanisms.

“The implementation of Agenda 2063 will really help us meet the Sustainable Development Goals of ending poverty, zero hunger or quality education, water, sanitation, protecting the planet, gender equality, reducing inequalities and ensuring prosperity for all,” added Dr. Dlamini Zuma. “An integrated, peaceful, prosperous Africa that is driven by its own citizens is in the interest of the whole humanity.”

Mr. Carlos in his remark said the timing of the seventeenth session of the RCM is auspicious because it is occurring in the aftermath of the adoption of the Agenda 2063 which aims to support the vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens representing a dynamic force in international arena. He highlighted that both Agenda 2063 and 2030 contain global and regional specific interventions that if effectively implemented, can propel the continent on a transformative path for sustainable development.

Mr. Lopes noted that, though African countries also have their own development plans and strategies, the greatest challenge policy makers’ face is how to implement these frameworks in a coherent and integrated manner. Dr. Carlos further added that in order for support to be truly effective, UN bodies have outlined works for the priority of the AU in a coordinated and coherent manner which is a fundamental role of the RCM for Africa.

He emphasized on the need to strengthen engagement with the science community which may be a necessary solution to seek answers to some of the vexing challenges posed by climate change among others, underlining the need for global partnership which can also be a solution to tackle some of the key socio-economic development challenges facing the African continent.

“There is no doubt that global partnerships can provide the impetus for tackling the key socio economic challenges currently facing Africa. Global partnerships can work for Africa if they are aligned with the strategic objectives of the continent and buttressed by a unified continental voice… We have the opportunity to model what such a partnership could be,” said ECA Executive Secretary. He added that global partnership can therefore work for Africa if they are aligned with the strategic vision of the continent and backed by a unified voice from the continent.

Speaking on behalf of UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, Mr. Abdelaziz, UN Special Adviser on Africa said: “What is critical for us today is what the implementation of the UN-AU partnership and the implementation of Agenda 2063 and 2030 agenda for sustainable development entail: both agendas are wide and comprehensive, together they will be therefore addressing a range of political, economic, social, and environmental challenges for Africa.”

Mr Abdelaziz recommended that RCM Africa prioritize multi stakeholder and public-private partnerships, facilitate joint work to support national efforts to domesticate and implement both Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030, help address the perennial problem of lack of resources.

He lauded the joint commitment and efforts of the AU and UN in achieving milestones with the RCM with the view of harnessing cooperation between both institutions the United Nations and the African Union through the cluster system. Enabling joint planning and programming of a range of issues including social, economic, agriculture, peace and security, governance, Human Rights and gender free values.

“Furthermore, the RCM has improve synergy and coordination, avoiding duplication, enabling a better use of resources and facilitating joint advocacy in communication and outreach,” he noted.

Held under the theme: “Toward an integrated and coherent approach to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Agenda 2063 and the sustainable development goals”, the 17th Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa deliberated on the UN-African Union partnership for the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Objectives (SDGs); the African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on the Rights of Women; Movement, Migration, Youth and Gender Empowerment; Regional Integration, Infrastructure and Trade; and Strengthening the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa for an effective Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

The RCM meeting ended on Sunday 3rd April 2016.

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Background

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), through its resolution 1998/46, makes the holding of regular inter-agency meetings an imperative for all regions. Accordingly, regional coordination mechanisms (RCMs) were initiated in 2002 as frameworks for consultations among agencies, programmes, organizations, funds and offices of the United Nations working at the regional level. In the case of Africa, the RCM-Africa has evolved from serving as a consultative mechanism into holding formal, annual sessions at which organizations and agencies of the United Nations system operating in Africa share information on their respective activities and agree to coordinate their strategies for programme delivery in support of the African Union programmes.

Furthermore and based on the mandate derived from UNGA resolution 57/7, the United Nations system in Africa was called to coordinate its activities through the RCM-Africa, in line with NEPAD adopted as the overarching development framework for Africa and other priorities of the African Union and its organs and regional and subregional organizations. RCM-Africa serves as a vehicle for enhancing coordination and coherence by engaging, more and more, in the joint planning and programming of United Nations activities in order to deliver as one in response to the needs and priorities of the African Union and other regional and subregional partners.

The annual RCM-Africa sessions have become a forum for assessing effectiveness of cooperation, collaboration and coordination between the United Nations and the African Union organs and other regional and subregional organizations, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of United Nations support for Africa’s development. It is in the spirit of past sessions that the United Nations system working in Africa have chosen for the theme of the seventeenth session of RCM-Africa to be: AU-UN Partnership for the implementation of the Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals.

Africa’s economic performance over last decade has been very robust, growing in the last two years around 4 percent which is higher than the global average of 2.5 percent. Africa has also registered remarkable progress on several socioeconomic indicators despite low initial conditions. Despite the positive performance, much more needs to be done to increase employment for the youth, reduce poverty and improve access to health and education services.

Studies in ECA show that the relatively high level of poverty is linked to the structure of most African economies. African countries are largely dependent on commodities which are exported with little or no value added and therefore not much employment is generated. That is why Africa needs to embark on commodity-based industrialization and through that create decent job opportunities, which in tend will lead to substantial reductions in poverty and the minimization of income and wealth inequalities.

Agenda 2063 and the 10-year Implementation Plan

The Agenda 2063, a plan for Africa’s structural transformation, was agreed upon by African Heads of State at the African Union Golden Jubilee Summit of May 2013. Based on the Solemn Declaration, the Summit pledged to develop and pursue a transformational Agenda through eight key areas: (a) African identity and renaissance; (b) the struggle against colonialism and the right to self-determination of people still under colonial rule; (c) an integration agenda; (d) an agenda for social and economic development; (e) an agenda for peace and security; (f) democratic governance; (g) determining Africa’s destiny; and (h) Africa’s place in the world.

The Agenda is founded on the AU vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.” The Agenda also builds on the AU Constitutive Act and Regional frameworks. In addition, the process takes cognizance of and reviewed national, regional and existing and past continental frameworks such as PIDA, CAADP and MIP, including the Monrovia Declaration, the Lagos Plan of Action, and the Abuja Treaty among others.

The Agenda is also anchored on the AU vision and is based on the seven aspirations derived from the wide consultations, namely:

1. A Prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development;

2. An Integrated Continent, Politically United, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the Vision of Africa’s Renaissance;

3. An Africa of Good Governance, Respect for Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law;

4. A Peaceful and Secure Africa;

5. An Africa with a strong Cultural Identity, Common Heritage, Values and Ethics;

6. An Africa whose development is people-driven, especially relying on the potential offered by its women and youth; and

7. Africa as a Strong, Resilient and Influential Global Player and Partner.

The aspirations reflect the desire of Africans for prosperity and well-being, for unity and integration, for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, with freedom from conflict and improved human security. They also project an Africa of strong identity, culture and values, as well as a strong and influential partner on the global stage making equal contribution to human progress and welfare – in short a different and better Africa. There are transitions to the aspirations and each milestone of the transition provides a step towards the attainment of the end goal of the aspirations by 2063.

The aspirations embed a strong desire to see a continent where women and the youth have guarantees of their fundamental freedoms and where they assume a leading role in the development of African societies. They are based on the conviction that Africa has the potential and capability to converge and catch up with other regions of the world and thus take her rightful place in the world community.

The Agenda 2063 is expected to be implemented in phases of ten years. The first phase of ten years has been crafted to cover the period 2013-2023 and addresses the following:

1. Sustainable inclusive economic growth.

2. Human capital development.

3. Employment creation.

4. Social protection.

5. Gender/women development and youth empowerment.

6. Good governance and capable institutions.

7. Infrastructural development.

8. Science, technology and innovation.

9. Peace and security.

10. Culture, arts and sports.

The First Ten Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 (FTYIP) calls on African countries to fast track the implementation of flagship programmes identified to have immediate positive impact on growth: the integrated high-speed train network; the Great Inga Dam project; the single aviation market; the outer space programme; the Pan-African e-Network; an annual African consultative platform; the virtual university; the African passport and the free movement of persons; the Continental Free Trade Area; silencing the guns by 2020; the development of a commodity strategy; and the establishment of the continental financial institutions, including the African Central Bank by 2030.

In addition, the implementation strategy of Agenda 2063 spells out 20 goals and 34 priority areas. The goals and priorities include: poverty reduction; the expansion of education at all levels; improved maternal and child health, water and sanitation facilities; industrialization of the African economy; greater resilience to the effects of climate change and prioritized adaptation; modernized farming methods for increased production, productivity and value-addition; better and more sustainable management of natural resources, including mineral and agricultural resources; the establishment of a continental free trade and a significantly developed intra-African trade; and a well-developed infrastructure network.

Furthermore, the observance of good governance, the rule of law and human rights, and the cessation of all intercountry and intracountry conflicts on the continent are also goals to be attained by 2023. Also to be achieved are goals in the realm of culture – full engagement with the African diaspora, the development and wider use of African languages, and the growth of the creative arts and cultural industries. The greater empowerment of women and young people is also an important goal to be pursued as is the need to increase Africa’s presence and voice in global affairs.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The UN General Assembly has adopted sustainable development goals (SDGs). The SDGs come at a time when billions of people are living in poverty and inequalities within and among countries are on the ascendance as well as enormous disparities of opportunity, wealth and power. There is also recognition of the challenge of gender inequality, rising unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, threats to global health, conflict, violent extremism, terrorism and related humanitarian crises and forced displacement of people. Natural resource depletion and climate change, especially increases in global temperature, sea level rise, and their impact on coastal areas and low-lying coastal countries, including many least developed countries and small island developing States, are among the list of challenges that continue to reverse much of the development progress made in recent decades.

The SDGs are made up of 17 goals and 169 associated targets. The goals were globally agreed upon through an inclusive process of intergovernmental negotiations and takes account of different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities. The targets are defined as aspirational and global, with each Government setting its own national targets guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account national circumstances. Each Government will also decide how these aspirational and global targets should be incorporated into national planning processes, policies and strategies.

Africa’s input into the development of the SDGs was through the Common African Position (CAP). The CAP, which has the same tenants of the Agenda 2063, is Africa’s consensus on the continent’s challenges, priorities and aspirations, and the strategies for dealing with them. It is the view of the African Union that the Agenda 2063 is in sync with the SDGs because most of the recommendations of the CAP were taken on board by the UNGA and therefore there is an alignment between the Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

Need for a common approach to the implementation of the Agenda 2063 and the SDGs

African countries have committed to the implementation of the SDGs as well as the Agenda 2063. The countries also have their own development plans and strategies. It is therefore important to have a common strategy for the implementation of both framework so as to achieve the goals and targets and minimize the challenges associated with implementing both agendas.

Most of the SDGs are in congruence with the goals of Agenda 2063. For example, Goal 1 of the Agenda 2063 aims at: “A High Standard of Living, Quality of Life and Well Being for All Citizens.” The achievements of SDG 1 (end poverty in all its forms everywhere), SDG 2 (end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture), SDG 6 (ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all), SDG 7 (ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all), SDG 8 (promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all), SDG 10 (reduce inequality within and among countries), and SDG 12 (ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) is clearly consistent in achieving Goal 1 of the Agenda 2063. The alignment between most of the goals of the Agenda 2063 and the SDGs provide an opportunity to implement both within a single framework without unduly burdening policymakers with multiple development frameworks.

Equally important is a need for better coordination to ensure effective implementation and follow-up, addressing areas of convergence as well as those unique to Africa. That is why a coherent and common framework that integrates both Agenda 2063 and the SDGs into national planning framework is needed. The SDGs attempts to respond to the global dimensions of Africa’s development challenges while Agenda 2063 responds to the regional dimension. Implementation of both will therefore require: advocacy and sensitization about the details of both frameworks; strengthened capacities to integrate in a coherent fashion, such initiatives in national planning frameworks; and research to support evidence-based policymaking.

Accompanying a common framework for the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the SDGs should be a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools. These tools will reinforce the culture of managing for results with regards to the implementation of the common framework. An M&E framework, by setting targets/milestones, will also ensure that all parties involved work towards achieving the development goals. It also ensures that the causes of non-performance are identified and addressed through evaluation processes.