The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) launched the 2016 issue of its Economic Report on Africa (ERA), titled 'Greening Africa's Industrialization,' during the inaugural African Development Week, in April 2016.
The report stresses structural transformation as a key priority for Africa, and recommends that the region seize the opportunity offered by the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to adopt a low-carbon development trajectory.
4 May 2016: The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) launched the 2016 issue of its Economic Report on Africa (ERA), titled ‘Greening Africa’s Industrialization,’ during the inaugural African Development Week, in April 2016. The report stresses structural transformation as a key priority for Africa, and recommends that the region seize the opportunity offered by the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to adopt a low-carbon development trajectory.
According to the report, achieving the SDGs and the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 will require a re-design of African growth strategies. Alternative economic pathways to development and green industrialization could include sustainable and inclusive growth that creates jobs and safeguards Africa’s natural resource assets. The report also highlights examples of how countries can develop through green industrialization, citing experiences in Kenya and Malawi. The report stresses that a shift towards green industrialization will require high-level leadership and adoption of policies and strategies for an inclusive green economy.
Also on achieving the SDGs and tackling climate change in Africa, participants at the 2016 African Think Tank Conference discussed how think tanks can help African policymakers and populations to achieve the Goals, fight climate change and ensure countries benefit from free trade agreements. UNECA, the OCP Policy Center and the University of Pennsylvania’s Think Tanks and Civil Society Program (TTCSP) organized the Conference, which took place under the theme, ‘Building a Sustainable and Secure Future for the People and Institutions of Africa.’ Participants underscored the role of think tanks in helping countries improve their data collection capacity and develop indicators and methodologies.
Over 120 participants from 85 think tanks in 45 countries attended the conference, which convened in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 2-4 May 2016. Participants also discussed the development of African think tanks, including capacity building, financial sustainability, governance, independence and partnerships with other thinks tanks, governments and NGOs. [UNECA Press Release on 2016 ERA] [Executive Summary] [Publication Website] [UNECA Press Release on Think Tank Conference] [TTCSP Website] [OCP Policy Center Website]