TIKA, UN & African Diplomats in Ankara Discuss Sustainable Development Cooperation

“Let us work together to build stronger partnerships, exchange innovative ideas, and identify concrete actions that will contribute to Africa’s sustainable development and prosperity” said Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi. 

A high-level policy dialogue on inclusive and sustainable development in Africa brought together key stakeholders in Ankara, fostering discussions on sustainable development and strengthening cooperation. The tripartite meeting, held on February 28, 2025, was attended by 47 participants representing the African Diplomatic Corps, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), and the United Nations (UN) System in Türkiye.

The dialogue aimed to enhance collaboration between the UN, TİKA, and African embassies in Türkiye by sharing knowledge, shaping policy, and exploring joint initiatives to address Africa’s development challenges. The discussions underscored the significance of South-South and triangular cooperation in achieving sustainable development across the continent.

TİKA’s Expanding Role in Africa

TİKA, Türkiye’s leading development cooperation agency, highlighted its long-standing commitment to Africa’s development. With a presence in over 150 countries and 61 Programme Coordination Offices, 21 of which are in Africa, TİKA has implemented over 7,000 projects across the continent. The agency’s work focuses on key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and capacity building, aligning with Africa’s development priorities under Agenda 2063.

The Vice President of TİKA, Dr. Rahman Nurdun. emphasized the agency’s collaboration with African governments, regional organizations, and international partners to foster resilience and drive transformative change. “Through South-South and triangular cooperation, we aim to deepen Turkish solidarity with African nations, ensuring that a people-centered development approach supports sustainable growth, self-reliance, and prosperity,” he stated.

UN Resident Coordinator Calls for Stronger Partnerships

The UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in tackling Africa’s complex challenges. He emphasized that the policy dialogue was a crucial step toward fostering collaboration, exchanging best practices, and scaling up development initiatives. “Africa holds vast potential, but achieving sustainable development requires coordinated efforts, knowledge-sharing, and innovative solutions,” he said. He also acknowledged TİKA’s contributions and called for trilateral cooperation, with the UN acting as a facilitator and convenor when necessary.

African Diplomatic Corps Highlights Development Priorities

Ambassador Majok Guandong Thiep, the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Ankara reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to sustainable economic growth, social development, and regional stability. Stressing the importance of strategic partnerships, he noted that challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, youth unemployment, and infrastructure deficits require innovative solutions. He highlighted the role of international cooperation in fostering inclusive growth, trade, and peace in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030.

Country-Specific Reflections

African ambassadors provided country-specific perspectives on how TİKA could further contribute to their nations’ development. Representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Gambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon outlined priority areas, including agricultural mechanization, education, healthcare, peace and security, youth empowerment, and governance. TİKA reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its development footprint and welcomed further bilateral discussions to tailor projects to each country’s needs.

Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for Collaboration

The policy dialogue marked the beginning of a sustained engagement process to enhance development cooperation between Türkiye, African nations, and the UN. With a commitment to long-term partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and people-centered development, the meeting laid the groundwork for future initiatives that will contribute to Africa’s sustainable growth and prosperity.