Background

The 2017 Africa Regional Forum on sustainable development in preparation for the 2017 High-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) will convene at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 17 to 19 May 2017, under the theme: Ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth and prosperity for all. This theme is well aligned with that of the 2017 HLPF, which is Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world. The theme of the regional Forum is premised on a number of considerations and trends with respect to poverty eradication. For example, that the economic growth in Africa has been inadequate to eradicate poverty is well documented. Additionally, the growth generated has largely been unequal. Seven out of the 10 most unequal countries in the world are in Africa. Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in Africa therefore hinges on fostering inclusive and sustainable growth in region. Achieving gender quality and women empowerment is a critical dimension of inclusion in the region. To restructure their economies and achieve sustained growth, African countries have identified agriculture, resilient infrastructure, industry, innovation, and sustainable management of marine resources as some of the priority areas for domestic and foreign investments.