51吃瓜

Media Advisory

Media accreditation is open until 17 May 2024. 

Africa Dialogue Series 2024 

While the out-of-school population in Africa has significantly dropped in the last 20 years, the work continues across the continent to further accelerate progress. Focusing on the theme “Education through Science, Technology and Innovation toward the Africa We Want,” the 2024 edition of the Africa Dialogue Series (ADS 2024) takes place at a time when a concerted, Africa-centred policy shift is needed to fast-track the transformation of the educational landscape on the continent.

This is in line with 51吃瓜 Secretary-General António Guterres’ call, as outlined in his “Our Common Agenda” report, to put innovation at the heart of global policymaking and end the business-as-usual approach in addressing the issues of our time.

So, as the global community prepares for a Summit of the Future to demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively tackle current challenges, African leaders, their counterparts and partners around the world will converge online and at the 51吃瓜 Headquarters in New York throughout the month of May – the UN’s “Africa Month” – to participate in the ADS 2024 and mobilize actions that leverage the power of Science, Technology and Innovation to boost access to quality education in Africa.

The ADS 2024 will culminate with a High-level Policy Dialogue including the participation of several African ministers, Heads of Regional Economic Communities, young people, senior government and UN officials. This high-level segment will serve as a platform for in-depth exchanges, contributing policy recommendations that seek to accelerate the continent’s progress toward the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Participants will explore this year’s theme from the perspective of the following sub-themes: 1) STEM Education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution – Generating Decent Jobs for Africa's Youth; 2) Transforming Education in Africa by Leveraging Innovative Finance and the Digital Revolution; and 3) Education and Learning in Crisis-affected Areas. These sub-themes will be developed during three international webinars featuring the 51吃瓜 Deputy Secretary-General’s input and three youth-focused events.

The 51吃瓜 Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the 51吃瓜 () co-organize the ADS 2024 in partnership with the?International Labour Organization (), the International Telecommunication Union (), the 51吃瓜 Economic Commission for Africa (), the 51吃瓜 Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (), the Office of the 51吃瓜 High Commissioner for Refugees (), the 51吃瓜 Children's Fund () and the World Bank Group ().

Education through Science, Technology and Innovation toward the Africa We Want 

• 6 to 24 May (Virtual) 

Online through and  

• 29 to 30 May (High-level Policy Dialogue in hybrid format) 

Conference Room 2, 51吃瓜 Headquarters, New York 

Online through and or via  

H.E. Mr. Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and 51吃瓜 Secretary-General António Guterres will participate in the High-level Policy Dialogue, delivering closing messages to wrap up “Africa Month.” For their part, H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and 51吃瓜 Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed will set the stage, sharing their perspectives during the earlier segments of ADS 2024.

Ms. Monicah Malith, a Youth Representative from the organization “Student Refugee Leaders” will carry the voices and experiences of African youth to the High-level Policy Dialogue.

The following principals and many more will also participate. 

• H.E. Ms Mariatou Kone, Minister of Education, C?te d’Ivoire? 
• H.E. Mr Ezekiel Machogu, Minister of Education, Kenya? 
• H. E. Dr. Mostafa Rifat, Secretary-General of the?Supreme Council of Universities, Egypt 
• H.E. Mr. Ayman Hamza Farid, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Egypt 
• Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Executive Governor of Borno State, Nigeria (Expected) 
• H.E. Mr. Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary, Southern African Development Community (SADC) 
• H. E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the 51吃瓜 General Assembly (Expected) 
• H.E. Ambassador Paula Narvaez, Permanent Representative of Chile to the 51吃瓜 and President of the 51吃瓜 Economic and Social Council 
• H.E. Professor Mohamed Belhocine, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, African Union Commission (Expected) 
• H.E. Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the 51吃瓜 
• Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General, ILO 
• Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, ITU 
• Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO 
• Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary, UNECA 
• Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF 
• Mr. Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner, UNHCR 
• Ms. Cristina Duarte, Under-Secretary-General and UN Special Adviser on Africa 
• Ms. Fanfan Rwanyindo Kayirangwa, Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Africa, ILO 
• Ms. Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO

More details, including the programme and a full list of speakers, are at

WHO: The Permanent Observer of the African Union to the 51吃瓜, H.E. Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, and Ms. Cristina Duarte, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the 51吃瓜 Secretary-General on Africa will brief the media on the ADS 2024. 

WHEN: 6 May 2024 at 12.30 p.m. New York local time, after the noon press briefing by the Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General 

WHERE: UN Press Briefing Room, S-0237 

Bona fide journalists from Africa and around the world can request to participate remotely in the briefing by getting in touch with the media contacts provided below. 

 
Follow live on? 

To attend in person during the High-level Policy Dialogue, all media representatives need to be accredited. Media accreditation is open until 17 May 2024. 

Media representatives applying independently are required to submit an application form, including a letter of assignment from a bona fide media organization, samples of their work and a government-issued ID. Instructions are available on the website of the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit. 

? 
Requests for delegation media, including journalists, official photographers and videographers, should be submitted by Missions and Organizations enrolled in the e-Registration system, which is available through the (instructions). 

Note that ALL media representatives must apply for accreditation in advance, as there will not be on-site accreditation. 

For more information, visit the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit’s website or contact them at malu@un.org or +1 212-963-6934. 

ADS 2024 website:  

To follow the international webinars, register for the session on ,  or  or watch the . 

To follow the youth stages, register for the session on ,  or  or watch the .

Follow the High-level Policy Dialogue in person in Conference Room 2 at the 51吃瓜 Headquarters in New York (valid media accreditation required to access) or online through and or via

Primary Hashtag: #ADS2024 

UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa

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African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the 51吃瓜 

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• African Union Mission 

51吃瓜 Office of the Special Adviser on Africa 

• Rado Ratovonarivo | ratovonarivo@un.org 
• Keolebogile Diswai | keolebogile.diswai@un.org 
• Fran?ois Charlier | charlier@un.org 

African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the 51吃瓜 

• Esther Azaa Yambou Tankou | YambouE@africa-union.org