Prof. Maloka provided an input on the APRM baseline study which was launched in 2021 to assess the level of awareness, knowledge and the implementation of CEPA Principles in Africa and relevance to Agenda 2063. He also referred to the APRM designated questionnaire on CEPA and the extent it can enhance tracking the implementation of CEPA principles at national and subnational levels. Further, he noted that continental workshops in Pretoria and Cape Town in 2019 and 2021 offered a regional platform for African countries and national experts to enhance their understanding on linkages between Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 alongside  domestication of CEPA Principles at national and sub-national levels.

The APRM study emphasized that local context and domestic conditions play significant role in determining the implementation of some of CEPA Principles and associated strategies. It also noted that there is a necessity for benchmark guidelines or toolkit to guide member states regarding the domestication of principles to local communities and subnational levels. Likewise, the multi-stakeholder platforms are noticeably growing amongst African countries, but still need further inclusion for women and youth. Best practices were shared from African experiences in Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’ivoire, Uganda, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa and Kenya as those countries responded to APRM-CEPA questionnaire for the mentioned study.  It was noted that consultative roundtables and awareness campaigns are held to encourage community-driven initiatives in those countries.

Regarding the Dialogue with Voluntary National Review countries on institutional aspects SDG 16, Ms. Sara Hamouda, Agenda 2063 officer-in charge, highlighted the significance of regional and continental platforms offered by APRM to assist member states in preparations of VNRs and strengthen their capacities to report on Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 in tandem. Ms. Hamouda highlighted that, four continental workshops were organized in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Djibouti and lastly in Nigeria from 2019-2022. More than 40 African countries and 200 national experts benefited from these technical capacity building workshops. On the margins of the session, a series of bilateral meetings took place with UN offices and divisions. The APRM delegation met with three directors at UN DESA: Mr.  Juwang-Zhu, Director of Public Institutions and Digitalisation, Mrs. Marion Barthelemy, Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development and Alexander Trepelkov Officer-in-Charge of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals with the presence of Dr. Gerladine Moleketi- the Chairperson of UN CEPA. The DESA representatives expressed appreciation to Prof. Maloka for galvanizing and broadening the APRM-UNDESA cooperation portfolio over the last three years through different joint programs and activities to accelerate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063, particularly the work pertinent to SDG16 and aspiration three. The two parties also discussed potential cooperation on digital governance, climate governance as well and economic cooperation programs. Both parties also agreed on continuing cooperation on continental support for CEPA Principles in Africa.

For more information on CEPA principles and APRM study, please visit.

https://www.aprm-au.org/publications/aprm-baseline-study-implementation-of-the-un-cepa-principles-of-effective-governance-for-sustainable-development-in-africa/

For more info on the High-Level Political Forum

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf#hlpf2022.