African ministers convene in Addis to discuss population, development beyond 2014

Abstract

The two day Ministerial Segment of the African Regional Conference on Population and Development opened today after close to two weeks of discussions and debates on best practices in pre-events by Youth CSOs and experts. The opening was graced by key African leaders, including Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, Executive Secretary of ECA, Mr. Carlos Lopes, Executive Director of UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin and Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Erastus Mwencha. “The outcome statement of the African Regional Consultations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda identified the realization of Africa’s demographic dividend among other outstanding issues,” he told the convened ministers and dignitaries. “It highlighted the importance of realizing Africa’s demographic dividend through such measures as strengthening their entrepreneurial capacity and knowledge base of the youth, increasing their access to finance, and eradicating early marriage and human trafficking,” the Premier added.