“Africa Month” at the UN:To mobilize actions leveraging science, technology and innovation to transform education in Africa.

JOINT MEDIA ADVISORY

“Africa Month” at the UN to mobilize actions leveraging science, technology and innovation to transform education in Africa.

Media accreditation is open until 17 May 2024.

WHAT

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 United Nations 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.

This is also in alignment with the African Union theme of the year 2024: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”. Read more: https://au.int/en/theme/2024/educate-african-fit-21st-century

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 United Nations 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 United Nations Deputy Secretary-General’s input and three youth-focused events.

The United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations (AUPOM) co-organize the ADS 2024 in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank Group (WB).

THEME

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

WHEN and WHERE

· 6 to 24 May (Virtual)

Online through www.un.org/osaa and @UNOSAA1

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

Conference Room 2, United Nations Headquarters, New York

Online through www.un.org/osaa and @UNOSAA1 or via UN Web TV

WHO

H.E. Mr. Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and United Nations 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 United Nations 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 bring the voices and experiences of African youth to the High-level Policy Dialogue.

The following officials and many more will also participate.

H.E. Ms Mariatou Kone, Minister of Education, Côte d’Ivoire (Expected)
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

H.E. Dr. Peter M. Mathuki, Secretary-General, East African Community (Expected)
H.E. Mr. Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary, Southern African Development Community (Expected)
H. E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (Expected)
H.E. Ambassador Paula Narvaez, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations and President of the United Nations 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 United Nations
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

More details, including the programme and a full list of speakers, are at bit.ly/2024ADS

MEDIA BRIEFING

WHO: The Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, and Ms. Cristina Duarte, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the United Nations 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 UN Web TV

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

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 must 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 Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit’s website.

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 e-deleGATE portal (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.

KEY LINKS

ADS 2024 website: bit.ly/2024ADS
To follow the international webinars and youth stages, register using the links in the table below or watch the YouTube live stream.

Sub-theme	Int. Webinar	Youth Stages
STEM Education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Generating Decent Jobs for Africa’s Youth	8 May	9 May
Transforming Education in Africa by Leveraging Innovative Finance and the Digital Revolution	15 May	16 May
Education and Learning in Crisis-affected Areas	22 May	23 May

Follow the High-level Policy Dialogue in person in Conference Room 2 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (valid media accreditation required to access) or online through www.un.org/osaa and @UNOSAA1 or via UN Web TV

SOCIAL MEDIA

Primary Hashtag: #ADS2024

UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa