8 THE AFRICA GOVERNANCE REPORT 2019 19. Nexus of Development and Governance Role of the RECs in African Governance 20. The AU Agenda 2063 is closely related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN SDGs). Many Member States formulate national development plans that aim to translate National Visions into programmes and projects for ensuring national development and social and human progress. However, the implementation of the plans faces several obstacles and challenges, including that they are not adequately aligned with the AU Agenda 2063 aspirations and objectives of the UN SDGs. These are the proposed action items by Member States: (a) ensure alignment of their National Development Plans, their National Visions, and in some cases, their National action Plans (cf. APRM Country Review report) with the AU Agenda 2063 and UN SDGs; (b) make plans and programmes that aim at inclusive human development; and (c) formulate realistic plans that ensure prudent and sustainable utilization of scarce natural resources. 21. The Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are voluntary associates that have functions relating to continental unity, development, economic cooperation and integration, and promotion of democracy and peace and security. Additionally, the AU works with Regional Mechanisms (RMs) that aim to enhance continental efforts at realising shared values. 22. Although regarded as the building blocks for continental unity and development, there is a need to further work on the harmonization and coordination of the functions and responsibilities of the RECs with the AU. 23. The proposed recommendations are: (a) to enhance collaboration between the AU and RECs, in line with the decisions of the African Union Assembly, in particular the Eleventh Extraordinary Session of November 2018, and (b) to ensure that all the RECs align development plans with the AU Agenda 2063 and UN SDGs.