The complexity of the challenges put forth by the 2030 Agenda requires an integrated vision for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Africa, in particular, must plan relevant specific solutions to support its economic and social development. Thus, it is of critical importance to start an important reflection on the new scientific cooperation models that will support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Africa in the framework of the Paris Agreement, with particular reference to key interventions focused on four main deeply interconnected issues: Climate Change (SDG 13), Agriculture, Food Production and Nutrition (SDG2), Access to Water (SDG 6) and Access to Energy (SDG7). The accomplishment of these goals can come only through an integrated approach developed both at international and local levels and able to promote international investments and knowledge and technological transfers. To achieve the sustainable development goals in Africa it is fundamental to strength human capital, infrastructure and innovation: a major challenge with potential collaboration opportunities that need the implementation of new models of cooperation in Africa.

Within this framework, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) – in partnership with United Nations University – Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) and the University of Ghana – organize an international scientific workshop aimed to focalize the main Ghanaian challenges and opportunities in achieving the Agenda 2030 and to lay the foundation for more structural collaboration with relevant scientific stakeholders in the country and at a regional level.

The workshop will examine the state of the art of the research related with the achieving the selected SDGs mentioned above in Ghana with a common goal of showcasing and discussing scientific results, local policy initiatives, specific case studies and presentation of the research activities of the local universities on the specific sustainable development topics.
Moreover, the workshop aims to create and develop a common platform for scientific and institutional dialogue within FEEM and Ghanaian universities, research centers and think tanks dedicated to the sustainable development of the African continent, aimed at initiating common studies, research and dissemination activities. In this activity, leading national and international scientists, scholars and experts will present their studies on the ongoing economic, environmental and social processes and share their thoughts on future national scenario, providing proposals to collaborate in scientific research for in-depth investigation on issues relevant for the area, such as: obstacles and possible solutions for access to energy, the use of natural gas to strength the local market, development of non-conventional energy infrastructures and an analysis of local energy markets, main climate change adaptation issues, at a national and interregional level, urban resilience. Specific topics will be addressed on the basis of such evidence, such as the orientation of the energy mix of the country based on natural gas at urban and industrial levels, the implementation of policies aimed at increasing energy access through renewables at the rural level, the connection between population growth and the resilience of the cities.

The event will include representatives of the Ghanaian universities, research centers and NGOs involved with discussion of the data collected, main results and methodologies used.Â