More than 500 young Africans are gathered in the Senegalese capital of Dakar to participate in the 4th Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit taking place from 13-17 January 2014. Participants are sharing ways to effectively contribute to the acceleration of the Millennium Development Goals and play an important role in shaping the post-2015 development agenda.
The event, which runs under the theme "Youth unemployment in the post-2015 development agenda", is organized by the Pan-African Network of Youth Leaders to the United Nations in collaboration with UNFPA and UNAIDS.
“Youth participation in the development process in Africa is a priority and an important base for the whole continent."
Aminata Touré, Prime Minister of Senegal
"Our concerns are fully reflected in the agenda of this summit and we plan to share the recommendations with the youth world at the World youth Summit to be held in September 2014 in New York.”
Alioune Gueye, President of the Pan-African Youth Network
"When we talk about the challenges of youth, it should be noted that many of the problems they face are rooted on the violation of their human rights, particularly of girls and young women, who are prey to physical and sexual abuse, and gender-based violence, especially in countries in conflict and post-conflict situations in Africa.”
Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA
"Young people aged 15 to 24 accounts for nearly 40% of new HIV infections among adults. In 2012, 780 000 young people were infected with HIV and 560 000 of these new HIV infections occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Mamadou Diallo, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Office for West Africa and Central
