7 October 2011: A Southern Africa consultative meeting, organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union (AU) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), met to review the Southern Africa Report on Progress towards Sustainable Development, as part of the African regional preparatory process for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, Rio+20). The report provides input on key policy messages for the Africa Review Report on Sustainable Development.

Over 30 experts from the sub-region gathered from 6-7 October 2011, in Lusaka, Zambia, to deliberate and contribute to the draft report. Sizo Mahlangu, Acting Head of the Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa, said the concerns and priorities voiced at the meeting and reflected in the report will strengthen Africa’s regional consultative mechanisms to support implementation of the UNCSD outcomes.

Noting that Africa should be at the forefront during UNCSD to ensure that requirements, institutional arrangements and other means of implementation necessary for the region are addressed. He said that the Conference was an opportunity to secure commitment and support for transitioning to a green economy and poverty eradication, which are pivotal to sustainable development in the region.

The report will be considered as an input for the Africa Review Report on Sustainable Development, which will be discussed at the Africa Regional Preparatory Conference for Rio+20, scheduled for 20-25 October 2011, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [UNECA Press Release]