Speke Resort Munyonyo successfully hosted the 11th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11)—a high-level, three-day event that convened over 1,000 delegates from across the globe.
The event, co-organized by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and the UN Global Compact, was held at the resort’s state-of-the-art Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala, from April 7–9.
The forum was held under the theme:
“Driving Job Creation and Economic Growth through Sustainable, Inclusive, Science and Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”
President Yoweri Museveni, who officiated the opening ceremony, used the platform to urge African nations to prioritize homegrown solutions and regional collaboration to drive sustainable development. He stressed that while external aid is welcome, true progress must be rooted in self-reliance.
High-level dignitaries in attendance included Robert Keith Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, who emphasized Africa’s pivotal role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who challenged African leaders to address development financing gaps and act boldly to deliver transformative change.
Mohammed noted that more than 60% of African countries are allocating a large portion of their revenues to debt servicing—a reality that, while sobering, should not define the continent’s future. She called for courageous, localized solutions to bridge the SDG financing shortfall.
Throughout the event, delegates engaged in robust discussions while enjoying the unparalleled leisure and business amenities offered by Speke Resort Munyonyo—a venue widely recognized for hosting prestigious international gatherings.
With its top-notch, flawless execution of ARFSD-11, Speke Resort Munyonyo continues to set the standard for luxury conferencing.
