Addis Ababa, 9 July 2024 (ECA) – A press briefing held at Ethiopia’s Adwa Victory Memorial Centre and led by the Government of Ethiopia marked the official launch of the preparations for the Africa Urban Forum (AUF), scheduled to take place from September 4th to 6th, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hosted at the Adwa Victory Memorial Center, the press briefing detailed the theme, expected outcomes, activities, side-events, and exhibitions planned for the upcoming forum, which aims to address critical urbanization challenges in Africa.
Ethiopia’s Minister Chaltu Sani, Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure underscored the critical role of urbanization in Ethiopia’s development strategy and the broader African context. The address was delivered in both English and Amharic, reflecting the inclusive nature of the forum. “Hosting this forum is a testament to our dedication to fostering unity and collaboration across continents,” Said Minister Chaltu.
Ms. Kabelo Lethuanya, Coordinator of AUF 2024, AUC-PAPS set the stage for the event by outlining the objectives, themes, and structure of the forum, emphasizing the importance of sustainable urbanization in Africa. She stated, “Africa is urbanizing rapidly, and we need to see how we can accommodate the growth in Africa. The African Urban Forum is created for everybody to join the discussion.”
Mr. Issaka Garba, The Representative of the African Union Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner addressed the role of the AU in promoting peace and security through urban development said: “The African Urban Forum has been programmed in the best possible way to share knowledge, exchange best practices and create creative solutions for sustainable urban development from the perspective of different players including governments, academia, civil society and corporate sectors.”
Mr. Dave Khayangayanga, representing AU’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security arm said, “the Africa Urban Forum will bring together AU members, and their cities and urban areas to collaborate and enhance synergies to fulfill the continent’s.
Ms. Haregewoin Bekele, Representative of the United Nations Human Settlement Program called for the forum to reflect a shared vision of sharing knowledge and ideas and partnership to craft an African urban landscape that is more inclusive, resilient and responsive to the needs of our growing populations.”
For his part, Giuseppe Tesoriere of the ECA Urbanization Section provided insights into the economic impact of urbanization and the importance of the AUF in shaping future policies, stating: “Sustainable and inclusive urbanization can play a key role to make transformative change in the economy and society in Africa.” He added, “Looking at the data from 2001 to 2020, we know that around 29% of annual GDP comes from cities. Cities can have a strong impact in addressing current and emerging challenges – climate change, inequality, productivity and unemployment among others.
About the Africa Urban Forum:
The Africa Urban Forum is dedicated to addressing the multifaceted challenges of urbanization in Africa. It provides a platform for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on sustainable urban development initiatives.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org