The 2026 Africa Dialogue Series will culminate with the High-level Policy Dialogue on 29 May from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. New York local time. It will take place in Conference Room 4 at the United Nations Headquarters. Discussions can be followed online. The HLPD is an interactive, forward-looking platform for policymakers, UN experts and practitioners to exchange on the elaboration of actionable strategies for accelerating Africa's development. This…
The last ADS 2026 Youth Stage will focus on Water and Sanitation for Peace, Energy and Food Security. Register here to attend! Programme Moderated by: Ms. Danielle Kamtié, Co-founder, African Youth Parliament for Water Ms. Manal Bidar, Vice-President, Water Youth Network, Morocco 9:00 - 9:05 Setting the Stage Welcoming Remarks: Ms. Juliet Wasswa-Mugambwa, Team Leader Intergovernmental Support Team, United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on…
Water and sanitation services are no longer sectoral development concerns; they are strategic determinants of Africa’s peace, security, energy transition, food systems, and economic transformation. Persistent deficits in safely managed water and sanitation services undermine productivity, exacerbate fragility, constrain energy and food systems, and can potentially amplify conflict risks, particularly under accelerating climate change. This…
By 2035, more young Africans will enter the workforce annually compared to the rest of the world combined. Investing in water and sanitation is essential, given the heavy dependence of Africa's key economic sectors and impending rapid urbanization on these two resources. Reliable and well-managed water and sanitation systems are central to Africa's economic growth and urbanization. The ingenuity and innovation of Africa's youth are pivotal to…
Africa is entering a decisive century of urban and economic development. Its population is rapidly urbanising, with the number of urban residents projected to double from around 700 million to 1.4 billion by 2050, making Africa the world’s second-largest urban region after Asia. This transformation – spanning more than 11,000 urban agglomerations – offers major opportunities for industrialisation, job creation, regional integration and climate…
The first Youth Stage will focus on the sub-theme: A Strategic Asset Management Approach to Africa's Water Resources. With nearly 60 per cent of Africa’s population under the age of 25, empowering young people as leaders and innovators in water governance and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services will be critical to achieving sustainable and inclusive development across Africa. A fundamental underlying principle of ADS 2026 is to amplify…
Given the importance of water resources for sustainable socio-economic development in Africa, their management as strategic assets offers a pathway to advancing regional integration, trade, industrialization, food and energy security, sustainable urbanization, transport, climate resilience, and peace. This webinar and the related policy brief seek to outline how African countries and regions can operationalize and embed strategic asset management…
Theme “Turning the Tide: Transformative and Coordinated SDG Action” Summary The African Regional Session of the annual Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum will take place in-person on 15 April at UN Headquarters under the theme “Turning the Tide: Transformative and Coordinated SDG Action.” The session aims to accelerate progress toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063…
Theme Resilient and trusted states are Africa’s pathway to durable peace Register: Click here or on the image below Summary Achieving durable peace in Africa is inextricably linked to sustainable development. However, sustainable development cannot be achieved without sustainable financing, which depends on a State’s ability to assert control over economic and financial flows through strong, capable and accountable institutions. Ultimately, the…
Theme Innovative Science and Technology Solutions for Water Security and Sanitation in Africa Register: Click here or on the image below or scan the QR code. Languages: Simultaneous English-French interpretation will be provided. Summary Water is a fundamental resource, as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Yet, global water resources are facing significant challenges…
Theme Seizing the Moment: The African State and Its Promise Register: To participate in person or to receive the broadcast link, click here or on the image below. Summary The UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) is convening the 2025 Academic Conference on Africa under the theme: "Seizing the Moment: The African State and Its Promise." This is the third in a groundbreaking series that has become a platform for intellectual disruption…
Theme Global launch of OSAA’s 2025 Flagship Reports on Africa's development Register at this link, or click on the image, or scan the QR code Summary The 2025 reports illustrate that delivering financing for development and durable peace are two sides of the same coin. The report “Promotion of Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa” provides an overview of the peace and security landscape in Africa, the continent’s progress towards…