ZYC calls for youth involvement in SDGs

Harare(New Ziana) –More than 200 youths from across the country are expected to attend the 6th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) to be held from 24th to 27th February in Victoria Falls.

The ARFSD is a key summit meant to assess progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participation and involvement of youth at the forum was organised by the national coordinating committee chaired by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and the Zimbabwe Youth Council.

The summit is being held in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

ARFSD head of business development, data and research Sungano Chisina said Child President Mukudzeishe Madzivire and Junior Information Communication Technology Minister Vannessa Chivizhe would participate in the High Level Panel of Experts and official opening respectively.

“Working with registered youth associations, we invited youth to participate and we have more than 200 from across the country scheduled to travel starting tomorrow to attend the forum,” he said.

Zimbabwe was chosen to host the 6th session of the ARFSD), an inter-governmental platform convened by UNECA in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and the United Nations system.

The forum seeks to review progress, share experiences and lessons learned, and build consensus on recommendations in the form of key messages to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

“There is vision 2030 and agenda 2063 and as you are aware because of generation these young people are the ones that should lead so that we achieve these visions,” said Chisina.

“This event is significant in that within the 17 SDGs there is space for young people, we want the young people to attend the conference and ensure that they are well briefed and also work towards achieving whatever has been set,” he added.

The Forum will be held under the theme “2020-2030: A Decade to Deliver a Transformed and Prosperous Africa through the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”

United Nations deputy secretary general Amina Mohamed is expected in Zimbabwe at the weekend to attend the summit.

Various events have been lined up for the youth together and other stakeholders during the event, including the official opening by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 25th February.