Global Priority Africa Flagships 2023: An Update from UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa

Two years into the implementation of the Operational Strategy for Priority Africa 2022-2029 (OSPA), a new biennium has commenced through the Programme and Budget for 2024-2025. With a goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 “The Africa We Want”, the OSPA remains pivotal in accelerating the achievement of SDGs amidst a growing threat of regression and stagnation on some of the SDG targets. The relentless climatic changes have resulted in droughts and cyclones whose incessant rains have caused food insecurity, waterborne diseases and loss of biodiversity. Geopolitical crisis and the remnants of the impacts of COVID-19 continue to waylay the aspirations of the continent. Gender inequality, youth unemployment, education and HIV and AIDS continue to be areas for concern. Despite this plethora of challenges, Member States remain committed to Agenda 2030 and 2063 and the strong partnership existing with UNESCO and the rest of the UN system. While the OSPA is driven to address challenges in the areas of demography and sustainable development, education and knowledge, climate change, cultural renaissance, and peace and democracy these all have far-reaching consequences beyond their focus hence addressing these contributes widely to other thematic areas.

Priority Africa reinforces UNESCO’s partnerships with African governing bodies such as the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States as well as other UN agencies. Being also aligned with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and UNESCO’s Joint Programme of Action (JPA) 2022-2025, the OSPA continues to demonstrate its relevance to the region.