The First African Urban Forum: A Milestone for Sustainable Urbanization in Africa

The forum held at the Adwa Museum, Addis Ababa, signaled a significant advancement in Africa's journey towards sustainable urbanization. It also underlined urbanization as an imperative for sustainable and resilient development in Africa.

Organized by the African Union, the Government of Ethiopia, UN-Habitat, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and partners, the forum focused on building a united, prosperous and peaceful Africa through sustainable cities.

UN-Habitat played a vital role towards the success of the forum, contributing to the development of the Harmonized Regional Framework for Implementing the New Urban Agenda in Africa. The framework helped align the forum’s discussions with global urban development goals, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in addressing Africa's urban challenges.

Speaking at the forum, Anacláudia Rossbach, UN-Habitat's new Executive Director, emphasized the need to put people at the center of urban policies while addressing the looming population surge, with Africa’s urban population expected to reach 1.2 billion by 2050. She stressed the importance of strategic planning and partnerships to tackle pressing issues like infrastructure deficits, urban sprawl, and slum development, while also promoting environmental sustainability and social cohesion.

Key outcomes of the forum included the launch of the Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP), which focuses on building climate-resilient cities, and the adoption of an African Union Declaration on Sustainable Urbanization, laying the foundation for future urban policies. The forum also provided a space for in-depth discussions on financing mechanisms, inclusive urban policies, and capacity-building for local governments and urban planners.

Networking sessions resulted in new partnerships and investments, enhancing African cities' capacity to implement sustainable urban solutions. 

Moving forward, participating countries will develop action plans aligned with the African Union’s declaration, while sustaining the efforts to secure funding and building capacity through workshops and trainings.

The African Urban Forum has set the stage for a transformative approach to urbanization, paving the way for ensuring that future African cities are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.