On May 2, 2024, a significant handover ceremony took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, marking the transition of the Co-Chairmanship of the Group of Friends for Priority Africa from Kenya and China to the new Co-Chairs, Ghana and the United States of America. The event highlighted the ongoing commitment of UNESCO Member States to advancing the Global Priority Africa agenda.
As outgoing Co-Chairs, Kenya and China played a pivotal role in steering the Group of Friends, a collective of UNESCO Member States dedicated to supporting Africa’s sustainable development through education, science, culture, and communication. Their leadership contributed to the strengthening of collaborative efforts aimed at promoting the Global Priority Africa Implementation Strategy.
During the handover ceremony, Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, H.E. Professor Peter K. Ngure, alongside his Chinese counterpart, expressed their pride in the progress made under their co-chairmanship. Professor Ngure emphasized the importance of continuing to prioritize Africa within UNESCO’s mandate, highlighting Kenya’s dedication to advancing the continent’s development goals through the organization’s various initiatives.
The new Co-Chairs, Ghana and the USA, expressed their commitment to building on the foundations laid by Kenya and China. Both nations reiterated their dedication to UNESCO’s Global Priority Africa, focusing on key initiatives such as quality education, capacity building, cultural preservation, and scientific innovation in African countries.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, commended Kenya and China for their exceptional leadership and welcomed the new Co-Chairs. She underscored the importance of the Group of Friends for Priority Africa as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and mobilization of resources to support Africa’s development objectives within the framework of UNESCO’s mission.
The handover ceremony reaffirmed the dedication of Member States to the Global Priority Africa strategy, recognizing the importance of continued international cooperation to address the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities.
