The Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development will conclude its ninth session today in Niger – Photo: UNECA

The Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) will conclude its ninth session today in Niger.

During the three-day forum, participants ranging from the representatives of intergovernmental organizations—most notably the UN—and government officials, looked over an array of issues facing Africa, specifically concerning matters such as water and clean energy. As many people still live impoverished, efforts of the intergovernmental organization revolve around increasing peoples’ access to water and energy.

The ARFSD’s plan of action has thus far lagged behind in regard to taking concrete steps. The organization has failed to implement several investment projects necessary to achieve such goals. This has largely been due to the ongoing conflicts in the Sahel region that often occur between governments and rebel groups. Therefore, instead of governments and spokespersons allocating funds that would go directly towards ARFSD’s initiatives, money is spent more on fighting the insurgencies. The participants in today’s meeting, however, are optimistic for the future. In this framework, the ARFSD is planning on proposing a new project coined “Great Blue Wall” initiative during the short- to medium-term, which aims to effectively manage Africa’s marine and freshwater ecosystems, especially in the Gulf of Guinea.