JCI Strengthens Strategic Regional Engagement at the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

Junior Chamber International (JCI) Africa and the Middle East participated in the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD), reaffirming its commitment to advancing youth leadership, partnerships, and sustainable development across the region.

The Forum, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), serves as the continent’s annual platform for the integrated follow‑up and review of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. It brought  together senior government officials, UN agencies, international organizations, development partners, civil society, and youth organizations to shape Africa’s development trajectory.

Representing Youth Leadership at a Strategic Regional Platform

JCI’s delegation, led by  2026 JCI Africa and Middle East Executive Vice President Attairu Abdullahi Balla actively engaged in high‑level discussions, networking sessions, and bilateral meetings throughout the Forum.

Participation in ARFSD aligns with JCI’s broader vision of positioning young leaders as credible partners in policy dialogue, development implementation, and advocacy. With fewer than five years remaining to achieve the targets of the SDGs and Agenda 2063, the Forum underscored the urgent need for transformative, coordinated, and inclusive action, a call that strongly resonates with JCI’s mission.

Strengthening Engagement with the Regional United Nations System

A central highlight of JCI’s participation at the 12th ARFSD was its strategic engagement with multiple entities across the Regional United Nations system, reinforcing JCI’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to regional and global development priorities through partnership, dialogue, and youth leadership.

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

JCI held a high‑level and productive meeting with the Chief of Staff of UNECA, during which the Commission expressed strong interest in collaborating with JCI Africa and the Middle East. Discussions explored potential areas of collaboration including youth leadership development, economic transformation, regional integration, and capacity building. 

UN Human Rights Commission (OHCHR).

JCI also engaged substantively with Mr. Marcel Akpo, Regional Director  of the UN Human Rights Commission, These discussions revealed strong alignment around youth civic responsibility, capacity building, advocacy, and enhancing youth participation in decision‑making processes. 

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

JCI met with Dr. Luo of UNDP to explore areas of alignment related to youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and community‑driven development solutions. UNDP expressed openness to continued engagement to further structure discussions and identify potential collaboration opportunities.

UN Women.

In addition, JCI engaged with the UN Women representative Director to the African Union Commission based in Ethiopia. The discussion clarified that future collaboration efforts would be best anchored through the UN Women Regional Office in Nairobi Kenya, where JCI Africa and the Middle East had already initiated conversations earlier in the year. 

Collectively, these engagements reflect JCI’s coordinated and intentional approach to working with the UN system, one that positions young leaders not only as beneficiaries of development, but as active partners in shaping inclusive and sustainable solutions for the region.

Broadening the Partnership Landscape

Beyond these targeted institutional engagements, ARFSD provided JCI with the opportunity to interact with several other key stakeholders across the development ecosystem. These interactions included discussions with representatives from international organizations, development partners, civil society networks, and youth‑led institutions, further expanding JCI’s partnership pipeline and reinforcing its role as a trusted youth development actor within multilateral spaces.

Looking Ahead: From Engagement to Impact

JCI’s participation in the 12th ARFSD significantly strengthened the organization’s visibility, credibility, and partnership pipeline within regional and UN‑led platforms. The engagements laid a solid foundation for structured collaboration  and concrete follow‑up actions.

As JCI continues to strengthen its presence across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, platforms like ARFSD demonstrate the importance of young leaders being present, prepared, and proactive in shaping regional and global development agendas.

Through strategic engagement, partnership building, and values‑driven leadership, JCI remains committed to ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of development but active contributors to Africa’s sustainable future.