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The Yale Africa Innovation Symposium recently hosted Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, the African Union representative to the United Nations based in New York. The symposium provided a platform for discussions on advancing sustainable development in Africa, and Ambassador Mohammed shared her perspectives on key challenges and collaborative efforts toward this goal.
In an engaging interview with Kadmiel Van Der Puije, CEO of The Voice of Africa, Ambassador Mohammed emphasized the importance of shifting the narrative about Africa from challenges to opportunities. She highlighted the need to project a positive image of Africa and harness its potential for sustainable development. This, she believes, is essential for the African Union to effectively address key challenges hindering sustainable development across the continent.
Regarding the role of diplomatic missions like the African Union to the United Nations in fostering collaboration for sustainable development, Ambassador Mohammed outlined the broad mandate of the AU observer mission in New York. She stressed the importance of representation, coordination of the African group, and partnership with various UN agencies and programs. These collaborations, she explained, are guided by Agenda 2063, the AU’s framework for sustainable development, and the priorities of member states.
Ambassador Mohammed also shared her insights on the significance of events like the Yale Africa Innovation Symposium in advancing the African Union’s sustainable development agenda. She commended such platforms for their role in bringing together young innovators and thought leaders to exchange ideas and foster networking opportunities. Ambassador Mohammed emphasized the importance of setting priorities and inviting collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals effectively.
In response to a question on collaboration between organizations like The Voice of Africa, Trade, Investment and Tourism Forum, and the African Union, Ambassador Mohammed emphasized the value of partnerships in driving sustainable development initiatives. She highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area initiative as a significant step toward harnessing the continent’s trade potential. Ambassador Mohammed encouraged organizations to familiarize themselves with the AU’s priorities and seek opportunities to contribute to its sustainable development agenda.
Overall, Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed’s insights shed light on the African Union’s efforts to address key challenges and drive sustainable development in Africa. Her perspective underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and positive representation in advancing the continent’s sustainable development agenda.
