Africa’s potential is immense, but not fully realized. Today, the continent is home to at least half of the fastest growing economies of the world. It is rich in resources and is riding a wave of urbanization, industrialization and economic diversification. Its importance in the global economy is rising, both as a market and as an engine of global growth. Moreover, the continent is the youngest region of the world. By 2030, one in every five people in the world will live in Africa. This great promise, however, is under threat; undermined by a myriad of crises, challenges and risks to peace, security and development, including conflict, terrorism, and climate change. In the face of these challenges, Africa’s ownership is indispensable. It is, indeed, the responsibility of this generation of African leaders, policymakers and intellectuals to provide the home-grown solutions that the continent so desperately needs, to protect the present and secure the future for generations to come. This session is a stage-setter in which African leaders will lay out their visions for an Africa that can leverage its enormous potentials to sustaining peace and development.

Signing of Host Country Agreement
African Union Center for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-PCRD)