ARFSD Closes with Call for Women’s Leadership and Innovation

The Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) has officially concluded with a resounding call to increase women’s participation in leadership, education, science, and innovation, among other key sectors.

The high-level event, opened by President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday, took place at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. It followed a series of side meetings that began on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Held under the theme “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science-based and evidence-based solutions for implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”, the Forum’s focus aligns closely with the theme of the upcoming 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no one behind.”

In his closing remarks on Friday afternoon, the Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, praised the week-long event for its strategic discussions and technical engagements.

“At the heart of these conversations was a reaffirmation that science, technology, and innovation must be central to our development agenda,” Tayebwa said. “We cannot speak of inclusive growth or sustainable development without harnessing the power of data, digital transformation, and local innovation.”

He emphasized the need for increased investment in research and stronger support for African innovators, particularly in leveraging technology to address critical challenges in agriculture, health, education, energy, and climate resilience. Tayebwa also highlighted the issue of technological accessibility:

“Technology remains very expensive. If we don’t address this collectively, we risk excluding the poor—especially those in rural areas—from participating in such forums and benefiting from these advancements.”

He welcomed the forum’s focus on critical issues such as climate action, food systems transformation, social protection, digital inclusion, gender equality, youth empowerment, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“I’m a strong believer in Africa,” Tayebwa added. “These discussions reflect the continent’s potential and ambition.”

The conference concluded with the adoption of The Kampala Resolution, which was read by Rt. Hon. Justine Lumumba Kasule, Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister. The resolution outlines commitments on key development priorities, including gender equality, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, partnerships, and environmental sustainability, among others.

Read the full Kampala Declaration here.