MEDIA

At Africa Day during the High-Level Political Forum 2025, SDA engaged with Ambassador Bob Rae, Canada’s Permanent Representative to the UN and President of ECOSOC, on strengthening Africa-focused partnerships within the 2030 Agenda. Our contribution underscored the importance of inclusive governance and climate-resilient livelihoods in shaping equitable development.

At Africa Day during the High-Level Political Forum 2025, SDA joined UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed in spotlighting Africa’s blue and green economy potential—advancing equitable, sustainable investment pathways that amplify women's and youth leadership in transforming the continent’s development trajectory.

At Germany’s Third Voluntary National Review to the HLPF 2025, SDA engaged with Markus Knigge, Executive Director of the Blue Action Fund, to exchange perspectives on advancing marine conservation and sustainable livelihoods in the Global South.

At the High-Level Political Forum 2025, SDA engaged with Christian Frutiger, Ambassador and Head of Thematic Cooperation at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, during Switzerland’s high-level dialogue on gender equality and inclusive governance. The exchange reaffirmed the importance of SDG 5 and SDG 16 as levers for achieving the 2030 Agenda.

At World Youth Skills Day at the UN Headquarters, SDA joined UN fellow leaders to spotlight youth empowerment through AI and digital skills. Our collective message elevated the role of young innovators in shaping equitable and future-fit livelihoods across Africa

During Switzerland’s high-level dialogue on gender equality and inclusive governance on July 17 2025 , SDA contributed perspectives from West Africa, highlighting how inclusive governance and gender equality strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods and social innovation. Our intervention underlined the need to connect grassroots realities with global commitments to advance SDG 5 and SDG 16 as enablers of the 2030 Agenda

During World Youth Skills Day 2025 at the UN Headquarters, SDA joined Felipe Paullier Olivera, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, in highlighting the transformative role of young people. Our contribution emphasized how youth-led innovation and skills development can accelerate climate-resilient livelihoods and inclusive governance across Africa

In this powerful moment captured during the “Leveraging Critical Raw Materials for African Industrial Transformation” session in September 2025, Issa Souaré, Founder & Executive Director of Sustainable Development Africa (SDA), stands alongside fellow panelists and thought leaders. The discussion, held as part of a pre-G20 gathering at the IDEAs Global Conference in Johannesburg, explored how Africa can assert agency over its critical minerals sector to drive inclusive growth, regional value chains, and climate-aligned industrialisation. This exchange reflects SDA’s commitment to elevating African voices in global forums and shaping a new development paradigm rooted in sustainability, sovereignty, and strategic collaboration

Issa Souaré, Founder of Sustainable Development Africa, speaking at the African Union’s 1st Youth Consultation on Mediation and Preventive Diplomacy from Sept 28 to October 2 2025, representing West Africa as one of two selected delegates.

In Kigali, Rwanda from 30 September to 2 October 2025, Issa Souaré, Founder & Executive Director of Sustainable Development Africa (SDA), pictured with fellow youth delegates from across Africa during the African Union’s 1st Youth Consultation on Mediation, Preventive Diplomacy, and Peace Processes.

Sustainable Development Africa (SDA) had the opportunity to engage with H.E. María Ebiaca Moete, Secretary of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Equatorial Guinea, during discussions hosted at the African Union Mission to the United Nations in New York.  The exchange highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between continental policy dialogue and locally driven development initiatives across Africa. Conversations focused on the role of inclusive economic planning, multilateral cooperation, and locally grounded approaches in addressing climate vulnerability, governance challenges, and economic resilience.  Through engagements in international policy spaces, SDA continues to learn from and contribute to broader discussions aligned with Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between institutions, practitioners, and communities.  These moments reflect SDA’s ongoing ecosystem-building phase — fostering dialogue, partnerships, and shared learning to support future implementation grounded in local realities.

Sustainable Development Africa (SDA) participated in engagements at the United Nations Headquarters, including a visit to the UN Security Council venue in New York.  This moment reflects SDA’s ongoing ecosystem-building phase—strengthening policy literacy and understanding how international decision-making connects to community realities in West Africa, particularly around climate vulnerability, governance, and social stability.  SDA’s work aligns with Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on three pillars: Climate-Resilient Livelihoods, Inclusive Governance (SDG 16), and Social Innovation & Economic Resilience.  Note: This engagement reflects presence at the UN venue and learning within international policy spaces; it does not imply official representation of the United Nations or endorsement by UN bodies.

Sustainable Development Africa (SDA) participated in engagements at the World Social Summit in Doha, Qatar, where SDA representatives had the opportunity for a brief courtesy encounter with H.E. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  This moment reflects SDA’s ecosystem-building phase—participating in international convenings to strengthen relationships, learn from policy discussions, and align future implementation planning with Africa’s development priorities.  SDA’s work is guided by three strategic pillars: Climate-Resilient Livelihoods, Inclusive Governance (SDG 16), and Social Innovation & Economic Resilience.  This photo documents a courtesy encounter at a public international convening and does not imply endorsement, partnership, or official representation. 

Sustainable Development Africa (SDA) participated in the Transform Africa Summit 2025 held in Conakry, Guinea, bringing together African ministers, policymakers, technology leaders, and development partners to advance discussions on digital transformation and inclusive growth across the continent.  Hosted under the Smart Africa Alliance, the summit marked a significant milestone as the first edition organized in West Africa, fostering dialogue on how innovation, governance, and digital ecosystems can support sustainable socio-economic development.  During the ministerial roundtable sessions, SDA engaged in exchanges focused on the role of inclusive governance, youth participation, and locally grounded innovation in shaping Africa’s digital future. These discussions reinforced the importance of aligning technological advancement with community needs, institutional accountability, and long-term resilience.  SDA’s participation reflects its commitment to contributing to continental conversations that connect policy dialogue with practical development pathways — particularly at the intersection of governance, innovation, and economic resilience.  This engagement aligns with SDA’s pillars of Inclusive Governance (SDG 16) and Social Innovation & Economic Resilience, strengthening relationships and knowledge exchange necessary for future implementation initiatives. 

Sustainable Development Africa (SDA) participated in the Transform Africa Summit 2025 held in Conakry, Guinea, bringing together African ministers, policymakers, technology leaders, and development partners to advance discussions on digital transformation and inclusive growth across the continent.  Hosted under the Smart Africa Alliance, the summit marked a significant milestone as the first edition organized in West Africa, fostering dialogue on how innovation, governance, and digital ecosystems can support sustainable socio-economic development.  During the ministerial roundtable sessions, SDA engaged in exchanges focused on the role of inclusive governance, youth participation, and locally grounded innovation in shaping Africa’s digital future. These discussions reinforced the importance of aligning technological advancement with community needs, institutional accountability, and long-term resilience.  SDA’s participation reflects its commitment to contributing to continental conversations that connect policy dialogue with practical development pathways — particularly at the intersection of governance, innovation, and economic resilience.  This engagement aligns with SDA’s pillars of Inclusive Governance (SDG 16) and Social Innovation & Economic Resilience, strengthening relationships and knowledge exchange necessary for future implementation initiatives. 

During the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar—a global gathering focused on accelerating progress on social inclusion, decent work, and social justice—Sustainable Development Africa (SDA) participated in convenings and policy discussions examining how institutions, social partners, and the private sector can translate commitments into practical, measurable progress.    On the margins of the Summit, SDA had the opportunity for a courtesy exchange with Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The conversation underscored the importance of placing decent work, skills, and social protection at the center of development strategies—particularly in contexts facing climate vulnerability, informality, and youth employment pressures.    SDA also followed discussions involving the role of business and employers’ organizations in advancing social development, including the Private Sector Forum co-hosted by the UN Global Compact and partners during the Summit.    SDA’s engagement in Doha reflects its ecosystem-building phase—strengthening policy literacy, learning from global practice, and aligning future pilot initiatives in West Africa with internationally recognized frameworks, including the SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063.