Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission Calls For Practical Water Solutions At ARFSD-12
The President of the Pan African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission, Dr. Stephen Gbatigbi Ben-Joel has led a high-level delegation of diplomats to the 12th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-12) held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.
The 2026 Forum was convened under the theme:
“Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”
Strong Advocacy for Water and Sanitation
During a key engagement session, Dr. Ben-Joel made a compelling submission on safe water and sanitation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6 and Africa’s development priorities under Agenda 2063.
He emphasized that:
The human body is composed of over 70% water, underscoring the fundamental importance of water to life.
He stressed that access to clean water should never be politicized, but treated as a humanitarian and developmental priority.
True impact lies beyond conference participation, requiring practical, community-driven implementation.
From Dialogue to Action: Borehole Interventions Across Africa
Dr. Ben-Joel highlighted that the Pan African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission has moved decisively from policy advocacy to grassroots implementation, including:
Encouraging private citizen participation in water access initiatives
Supporting the digging and treatment of boreholes across African communities
Launching new water projects as part of the Africa Day celebrations (May 23–25, 2026) in Abuja, Nigeria
He noted that these efforts reflect the Mission’s belief that development must be people-driven, inclusive, and measurable.
Call for Institutional Openness and Accountability
In a passionate appeal to both the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union Commission, Dr. Ben-Joel called for:
Greater inclusion of credible and impact-driven new actors,
Transparent engagement with organizations that demonstrate real field implementation,
a shift away from over-reliance on organizations that excel only in documentation and grant acquisition without tangible impact.
He stressed that:
“Africa must embrace sincerity, innovation, and measurable results if we are to truly address the pressing challenges facing our continent.”
Selfless Commitment to Africa’s Development
Dr. Ben-Joel further emphasized the sacrifice and dedication of the Mission’s delegates, noting that:
Members of the delegation were fully self-sponsored.
Their participation reflects a deep passion and commitment to Africa’s transformation.
The Mission remains focused on practical solutions rather than rhetoric.
In conclusion, the participation of the Pan African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission at ARFSD-12 reinforces its position as a leading non-state actor driving citizen-led development, particularly in critical sectors such as water, sanitation, peace, and sustainable growth.
The Mission continues to demonstrate that the ‘Africa We Want’ is achievable through deliberate action, inclusive participation, and unwavering commitment to impact.
