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RADE Tunisia

Following the 50th anniversary last year of the Stockholm Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development (1972-2022), the second symposium on the legal framework of sustainable development in Africa took place on January 20th and 21st, 2023. KAS-REMENA organized the symposium in partnership with the Faculty of Legal, Political and Social Sciences of Tunis and with the support of the World Commission on Environmental Law of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Francophonie Institute for Sustainable Development.

The symposium offered an opportunity for legal experts, policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives from Africa and other regions of the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the legal framework for sustainable development in Africa, and to identify ways to strengthen this framework at the national and regional levels. 

After welcoming remarks by Leila Chikhaoui, Tunisian Minister of Environment, who confirmed the importance of the symposium’s topic, the discussions focused on several key issues related to the legal framework of sustainable development in Africa. One of the main topics was the alignment of national and regional policies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international environmental agreements. Participants emphasized the need for countries to adopt a more integrated and holistic approach to sustainable development, which takes into account social, economic, and environmental dimensions, and to align their policies with the SDGs and other international commitments.

Another important topic was the participation of the public and local communities in decision-making processes related to sustainable development. Participants highlighted the importance of ensuring that the voices and perspectives of marginalized and vulnerable groups are taken into account in the development and implementation of policies and projects, and of providing them with access to information and meaningful opportunities for participation.

The discussions also covered the challenges of implementing sustainable development policies in Africa, including economic difficulties, weaknesses in legal and governance systems, lack of technical and financial capacity, and challenges related to the management of natural resources. Participants agreed that increased international cooperation, particularly in the areas of financing, capacity-building, and technology transfer, is needed to support African countries in implementing effective sustainable development policies.

Another aspect that featured in the discussion was the environmental responsibility of companies and investors in Africa. Participants emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability of companies in relation to the environment and sustainable development, as well as the involvement of civil society in monitoring and oversight of their activities. The experts also called for the establishment of mechanisms for environmental responsibility for companies and investors, to ensure sustainable management of natural resources and to prevent negative impacts on the environment and local communities.

Finally, participants discussed innovative approaches to financing sustainable development in Africa. They emphasized the importance of diversifying sources of financing, including mobilizing domestic and international financing, leveraging opportunities offered by the private sector, and using innovative mechanisms such as climate financing and results-based financing. The experts also called for increased coordination among the various actors involved in financing sustainable development in Africa, to ensure effective and efficient use of financial resources.

In conclusion, the second Symposium on the Legal Framework of Sustainable Development in Africa offered an important opportunity to advance the discussions on the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainable development policies in Africa. The discussions emphasized the importance of strengthening the legal framework of sustainable development in Africa, by aligning national and regional policies with the SDGs, strengthening public and local community participation, ensuring the environmental responsibility of companies and investors, and mobilizing innovative financing for sustainable development. There was agreement among the experts that international cooperation and coordination among various actors are essential to achieving these goals and ensuring a sustainable future for Africa and the world. It should be noted that the papers/articles that were presented and discussed at the event will be collected in a volume of the RADE (Revue Africaine de Droit de l'Environnement).