This will require a fit-for-purpose international development architecture,” Pedro said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, urged the forum to articulate concrete proposals on SDGs and the Agenda 2063.
Nsanzabaganwa said the implementation of both agenda was to be based on implementation plans that were African-owned and designed at the continental, regional, national and local levels.
“We need to dramatically upscale financing available for both the SDGs and the Agenda 2063 and these findings needs are also to address climate resilience.
“We need to go beyond development aid and this is at the heart of the green recovery action plan.
“Upscaling finance is also to improve domestic resource mobilisation and exploring innovative sources of financing,” she said.
The deputy chairperson also said accelerating implementation of the AfCFTA and addressing Africa’s sustainable industrialisation and economic diversification would be key.
She, however, stressed that resilience must be built into the delivery of the SDGs and the Agenda 2063 and the implementation of both must be with and for the youth.
“The youth should, therefore, be actively engaged in and empowered for the design in the implementation policies, plans and programmes for both agenda.
“In so doing, implementation will leverage the creativity and energy of our young people,” she said.
Nsanzabaganwa called for the strengthening of partnerships to deliver on the goals of the SDGs and Agenda 2063.