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The AFS Forum 2024 underscored and reaffirmed the fundamental importance of food systems, and the critical situation faced by the food and agriculture sectors on this continent. Under the theme “Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era”, it set out to launch Africa’s food systems into a transformative era based on sustainability and resilience.
The Youth Assembly Plenary, held at the Parliament of Kenya, brought together 60 young representatives from all 47 counties. During the session, participants engaged in meaningful discussions and proposed practical policy recommendations aimed at addressing key national challenges, including youth innovation, climate action, education, and poverty eradication.
The Africa Youth Forum, held on 15th August 2024 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together a diverse assembly of 382 delegates, including leaders, policymakers, youth advocates, and other stakeholders, to explore and advance youth-led solutions for transformative change. The forum was attended by representatives from all 47 Kenyan counties and 6 African countries—Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Notably, 72% of the delegates were between the ages of 18 and 35, and 42% of the delegates were women, highlighting the forum's commitment to inclusivity and gender representation. The event centered around breaking barriers and amplifying youth voices through constructive dialogue, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development.
These are Youth Recommendations on International Partnerships elaborated through a participative process by young people engaged in the implementation of the Youth Action Plan in EU External Action and under the initiative of the members of the EU Youth Sounding Board for International Partnerships. They have been presented at the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event that took place in Brussels
on 9 and 10 October 2024.
The Africa common position on Food Systems provides a synthesis of member states’ expressed views, perspectives and priorities as well as ambitions on key issues shaping Africa’s and the global food systems. In 2003, Africa adopted the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) as a continental policy framework for agricultural transformation to increase food security and nutrition and reduce poverty. In 2014 Africa renewed this commitment to agriculture transformation under the African Union (AU) CAADP Malabo declaration on agricultural growth and transformation with an expanded set of goals and targets to be achieved by 2025
In the name of Youth Delegates to the United Nations, we want to express our deepest concern with regards to the ongoing conflicts, divisions, and humanitarian crises we observe around the world. As was also said in this Council, now, more than ever, we need strong voices to stand for humane values. Through this letter, we aim not only to embody this voice but also to prompt the necessary actions to bring about peace.
The conference began with a critical examination of Kenya’s fiscal accountability challenges, led by key speakers such as Diana Gichengo, Susan Otieno, and Denis Omondi. These discussions highlighted the role of Parliament, citizens, and the Treasury in addressing debt recovery. The Youth Café, committed to empowering the youth with knowledge, engaged actively in these discussions, recognizing the importance of public participation in economic matters.
The Youth Café, in partnership with ImpactHER, successfully conducted a comprehensive digital skills training program that reached 69,247 African female entrepreneurs. This initiative, aligned with The Youth Café's mission to empower young women across the continent, aimed to bridge the gender business financing gap and enable African female entrepreneurs to fully realize their economic potential.
Notable speakers at the event included Katarina Leligdonova, Ambassador of Slovakia to Kenya; Harriette Chiggai, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and President’s Advisor on Women’s Rights; and Charlene Ruto, Youth Champion and Climate Action Advocate. Their contributions provided valuable insights into the multifaceted issues impacting ASAL women.
Following a dynamic first day that explored critical themes such as youth engagement in digital governance, economic inclusion, and the role of young parliamentarians, the second day of the workshop began with a recap of day one. Oliver Mshillah welcomed participants and Youla Nzale encouraged them to share insights from the previous day.
