Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and political capital of Africa, over the weekend hosted the first Pan-African Youth Conference gathering young generation from over 40 African countries.
On the second day (October 30) of the African Youth Conference, which is taking place at the headquarters of the AU in Addis Ababa, young African representatives have discussed range of topics. State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, stated that Africans can contribute significantly to advancing security and upholding peace.
He encouraged the continent’s future leaders to strengthen their ties with one another and work toward common goals. The best way to provide durable solutions, according to Ambassador Tesfaye during the discussion, is for African problems to be solved by Africans.
He underscored that the system by which the African continent should be represented on the UN Security Council needs to be reviewed, according to the information the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Zadig Abreha, Minister of Democracy System Building Center at the Prime Minister’s Office, gave a presentation on the idea and history of pan-Africanism during the discussion.
Mohammad Idris (PhD), Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Service, indicated that the only way to address Africa’s political, economic, and social issues is for Africans to draw on their own indigenous knowledge.
Based on the presentations, the youth participants discussed their role in relation to the existing opportunities and prospects for their engagement. The conference is opened on Saturday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen.
In his opening remarks, DPM Demeke said that Africa should work for the advancement and benefit of the youth by taking advantage of the favorable opportunities available at the continental level. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Demeke briefed the Ethiopian government’s wide-range efforts underway by engaging the youth in various voluntary services.
He also asserted that the forum hosted by Ethiopia this time is an ideal platform to create connections by the youth leaders and to build partnerships.
The Deputy Chairperson (DCP) of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, on her part, remarked Africa should use the potential of the youth to build hope and development for the continent. She emphasized the importance of utilizing young people’s potential to advance global and continental change.
Head of the Ethiopian Youth League, Asfaw Tekele, also said that the same resilience of the Pan-African movement shall be repeated currently to development and growth of the continent.
I am delighted to welcome our guests who came to Addis Ababa to participate in the first African Youth Conference.
Addis Ababa is the capital city of all African nations and has been the center of the Pan-Africanism movement for decades. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/mTTUBcutRu— Adanech Abiebie (@AdanechAbiebie) October 30, 2022