Representatives from SDG's Kenya Forum together with Youth Representating different Organizations in Kenya during the Workshop./ PHOTO; Courtesy
Over the past decade, the world has faced overlapping global shocks that have slowed progress on sustainable development and exposed gaps in international cooperation.
As the international community marks ten years since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is clear that achieving the 2030 Agenda will require stronger, more inclusive multilateral action and meaningful engagement of young people.
In response, the SDGs Kenya Forum, in partnership with the United Nations Associations of Finland, Tanzania, and Uganda, convened a Youth Capacity-Strengthening Workshop in Nairobi under the project “Accelerating the Implementation of SDGs in East Africa, Phase II (2023–2026).”
The workshop brought together young leaders from across East Africa to deepen their understanding of ongoing United Nations reforms and explore their role in advancing SDG implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Youth Leadership and Experience
My name is Eugene Okanda, and I am the Executive Director of Inuka Leadership Africa, a youth-led leadership organization focusing on mentoring, training, and coaching young people in leadership, accountability, governance, entrepreneurship, and business.
Our work intersects with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 8, and 16.
“Young people must be positioned not just as beneficiaries, but as active drivers of change,” said Eugene Okanda.
I also lead the Okanda Leadership Academy, a corporate training and consultancy firm. Much of my work involves developing training manuals and building the capacity of institutional staff.
I have also served as Kenya’s United Nations Youth Representative under the SDGs Kenya Forum, amplifying issues affecting Kenyan youth during the United Nations General Assembly over the past two years.
This year’s engagement was particularly reflective, as discussions focused on UN reforms and the 10-year SDG milestone. Kenya hosts over 23 UN agencies, translating to nearly 86 UN offices, with about 76 based in Nairobi.
“This presents a massive opportunity for young people, particularly in employment,” said Eugene Okanda
However, questions remain about whether these agencies adequately consider youth perspectives when offering opportunities.
Broader structural reforms, including UN Security Council representation, also require African unity to ensure meaningful engagement.
The Race to 2030: Urgency for Action
As 2030 approaches, with less than four years remaining, urgent action is needed to accelerate SDG progress.
The SDGs Kenya Forum launched the Race to 2030, calling on youth to actively participate in driving change. Nearly 65% of SDG indicators are currently stalled, regressive, or showing minimal progress.
Youth Perspectives on UN80 Reforms
Kapwani Kavenuke, United Nations Youth Delegate from Tanzania and founder of Mojafarm Organization, emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping UN reforms, particularly the UN80 agenda, aimed at creating a more agile, efficient, and responsive UN system.
“Young people are not merely beneficiaries of these changes; they are key stakeholders whose perspectives must influence global decision-making,” said Kapwani Kavenuke
Structured consultations through the UN Youth Office allow young people to contribute to policy, planning, and implementation processes, making development interventions more inclusive and effective.
“Youth can help build a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient Africa while advancing progress on key SDGs such as education, employment, climate action, and poverty reduction,” said Kapwani Kavenuke
Kavenuke encouraged East African youth to advocate, participate, and collaborate to ensure that UN policies reflect the needs and priorities of future generations.
Global Overview of SDG Implementation
Jenni Kauppila, Senior Specialist at UNA Finland, shared insights from the UN Secretary-General’s 2025 SDG Report.
Gains include increased access to essential services, rising social protection coverage, declines in child marriage and maternal and child mortality, and higher school completion rates, especially for girls.
Women now hold 27% of parliamentary seats worldwide, up from 22% a decade ago.
“Science panels on the SDGs and climate change provide evidence-based guidance, while youth groups and citizen panels engage young people and communities in decision-making,” said Jenni Kauppila
Yet challenges remain. Over 800 million people live in extreme poverty, 120 million are forcibly displaced, and 1.12 billion live in informal settlements.
Debt servicing in low- and middle-income countries reached a record US$1.4 trillion, limiting resources for sustainable development.
“Structural overconsumption, driven by growth-dependent economic systems and consumerist cultures, remains a major barrier to ecological sustainability,” said Jenni Kauppila
Kauppila highlighted sufficiency policies, including wealth taxes, resource caps, shorter working hours, and social reforms like universal basic income, alongside the role of culture in shaping a sustainable future
The Role of SDGs Kenya Forum
Stella Aswani, Communications Officer and Youth Coordinator at the SDGs Kenya Forum, explained the Forum’s work in accelerating SDG progress.
“With only five years remaining to 2030 and considering that youth make up a significant proportion of Kenya’s population, it is critical to harness their energy and opportunities to accelerate SDG implementation,” said Stella Aswani.
The Forum’s pillars include data and research, accountability, localization, gender, and advocacy at national, regional, and global levels.
Initiatives include the Africa United Nations Youth Delegates Programme and the SDGs Flag Day.
“From discussions on UN reforms and the SDGs, we will develop recommendations and identify best practices that are working in Uganda that Kenya can learn from, what is working in Kenya that can be replicated in Tanzania, and vice versa,” said Stella Aswani.
Peer-to-Peer Learning and Next Steps
Annual peer-to-peer learning brings youth together to discuss UN reforms and SDG implementation, identifying gaps, opportunities, and strengths.
Discussions aim to empower young leaders to take action in their communities and foster cross-country learning.
The Forum plans to institutionalize quarterly learning sessions, webinars, and Twitter/X Spaces to maintain continuous dialogue, ensuring youth remain central to SDG progress.
Ultimately, these conversations create a clear pathway for action in the remaining five years toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
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