COVID-19: how Africa can maintain sustainable development
Business Chief takes a look at how Africa can maintain sustainable development amidst the current pandemic (COVID-19).
For the first time since the Bureau of the Sixth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) adopted the Victoria Falls Declaration on ‘the Decade of Action for Sustainable Development in Africa’, the Bureau has met to establish an action plan of key priorities amidst the virus.
‘The Decade of Action’ initiative strives to accelerate sustainable solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges including poverty, gender equality, climate change and closing the financial gap.
With the continuation of the pandemic members of the Bureau have recognised serious challenges emerging, with concerns surrounding the increasing loss of life, negative economic impacts and the social impacts.
The Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) recently reported on the economy within the region, expecting to see a drop of 1.8–3.2%. As of march 2020 the country expects a 1.4% decline as a result of the virus.
As a result, Africa’s Finance Ministers have called for a support package of initially US$100bn to cushion the impact on the region’s economy.
The Bureau acknowledged that the virus has reinforced the need for stronger global and regional partnerships within the region, if it hopes to achieve its sustainable development goals, as well as building resilience to social, economic and environmental challenges.
Member states alongside others within the region have been urged to take urgent measures collectively to curb the spread of the virus by providing the necessary support to the affected communities.
Among the members of the Bureau, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Liberia and Morocco have all pledged full commitments to combating the virus.
It is expected that by August the Bureau will have finalised the strategic framework of the Solidarity Fund for Statistical Development in Africa, as well as developed a regions strategy to operationalise the Victoria Falls Declaration on ‘the Decade of Action’ and key messages of the sixth regional forum.
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