Their engagement was strongly felt at the Major Groups and other Stakeholders workshop on 27 February. In this meeting, which took place prior to the Forum, the trade union delegation voiced key priorities on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are being reviewed this year (SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation; SDG 7 Affordable and clean energy; SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure; SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities; SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals), which were subsequently presented in the Regional Forum.

Anne Cecile Coly, from the Senegalese trade union UNSAS, intervened in a session on accelerating an inclusive and green recovery from the multiple crises. She highlighted the challenges that workers are facing due to converging crises and underscored the importance of effectively implementing the SDGs and especially Goal 8, through the institutionalisation of social dialogue, universalisation of social protection, the extension of decent work in both the formal and informal economy, and the promotion of just transitions for energy and digitalisation.

African unionists were actively engaged in the discussions of the ARFSD, promoting trade union priorities on decent work, social dialogue and just transitions. The Niamey Declaration includes references to a just transition. These priorities were also reflected in the key messages from the Forum and refer, in addition, to the importance of decent jobs and skills development.

For more information
Diego González López, ITUC Development Cooperation Policy Coordinator
Diego.Lopez-Gonzalez(@)ituc-csi.org