KIGALI, RWANDA – A delegation from Yemen’s internationally recognized Ministry of Youth and Sports concluded a visit to Rwanda on November 9th, 2024, culminating in their participation in the opening of the African Youth Connect Summit.

Led by Deputy Minister for Women’s Affairs Nadia Abdullah, the Yemeni delegation joined the summit in Kigali, alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Lesotho’s Prime Minister Sam Matekane, and representatives from the European Union and the African Union.

President Kagame’s opening address highlighted the struggles and challenges faced by African youth amidst political and economic instability. He stressed the importance of continued learning and empowerment for youth to actively participate in decision-making and leadership roles.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Yemeni delegation held meetings with representatives from various countries to foster networking and build relationships. President Kagame also participated in a post-opening dialogue session, engaging with participants who raised concerns about issues affecting African and global youth.

The three-day summit will feature discussions on innovative youth-related ideas, job creation strategies, and inspiring success stories of economic empowerment. The aim is to instill hope in young people across Africa and the Arab world.

The Yemeni delegation, including Deputy Minister Abdullah, Deputy Minister for Planning and Information Systems Wajdan Al-Shaibi, Director General of Planning Mubarak Al-Hasani, youth representatives Basma Abdulkhaleq and Asil Mohammed, and UNFPA Aden Youth and Population Programme Coordinator Alaa Ihab, spent several days in Rwanda exchanging knowledge and learning from successful youth and sports development initiatives.