By Innocent Mujeri

The 6th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (ARFSDGs) has started today in the resort town of Victoria Falls with approximately 3000 delegates expected to grace the occasion.

The forum is running under the theme, “2020-2030: A decade to deliver a transformed and prosperous Africa through the 2030 Agenda and 2063”.

Notable delegates such as Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms Amina Mohammed and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Executive Secretary Ms Vera Songwe are already at Elephant Hills hotel in Victoria Falls where the event is taking place.

 The ARFSDG is being sponsored by United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The forum which was described as high level by Prof Mavima, is expected to deliberate on how the African continent has fared in implementing SDGs.

The forum will review and discuss all the 17 SDGs and delegates are to deliberate on what the SDGs mean in their areas of expertise.

The forum is also expected to give member states a platform to peer review each other.

 Ms Songwe said she is grateful to the Zimbabwean Government for hosting such a high profile meeting.

Songwe further said the major thrust of the forum is to launch what is called, ‘UN decade of action 2020 to 2030’.

"We would like that, no African is left behind as we try to develop and ensure prosperity for all. Prosperity means we create jobs for both women and youth,” said Ms Songwe

The forum which is running up to 27 February is expected to be officially opened tomorrow by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa.