Your Excellency, Professor Belhocine, Commissioner for Education, Science Technology and Innovation, African Union

Your Excellency, Dr. Bayissa Badada, State Minister of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia,

Excellences, Ladies and gentlemen,

A warm greeting from UNESCO. I am sorry to not be able to join you in Addis Ababa for this Continental Conference on Transforming Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, in Africa being organized by the African Union and UNESCO with other continental partners.

Since its inception, UNESCO has recognized Africa's crucial role in achieving global goals of peace, security and prosperity.

The young and growing population of Africa presents an opportunity for transformative change.

With the right investments in education, technology and infrastructure, Africa can become a hub for innovation and a driving force in global economic development. This vision is at the heart of the African Union's Agenda 2063, which envisions a united, prosperous,and integrated Africa driven by its own citizens.

UNESCO aims to contribute to these aspirations by enhancing the continent's capabilities in education, science, culture, and communication, through close collaboration with the African Union, its specialized agencies, regional bodies and governments.

UNESCO's Flagship Programmes across Africa are making significant strides in advancing STEM education, research, and innovation.

Let me give you some examples:

Through Campus Africa, UNESCO is enhancing research and innovation at African universities in sectors like renewable energy, climate-smart agribusiness, and technology, while realigning curricula to meet sector needs.

In Kenya and South Africa, curriculum revisions are equipping students with practical skills in solar energy, wind turbines, and sustainable farming, preparing graduates to meet industry demands and drive innovation.

UNESCO is also enhancing capacity building in basic and applied sciences to drive innovation, address environmental challenges, and promote open science.

This includes supporting Zimbabwe and South Africa in developing open-source software for hydrological modeling, and flood and drought early warning systems in South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia. These efforts aim to boost climate resilience, improve water management, and foster regional cooperation on environmental issues.

UNESCO’s Youth Coding Initiative is also promoting South-South collaboration between Africa and Asia to enhance coding and AI skills among youth and educators. In its first phase (2021-2023), 99 schoolteachers from Congo, Kenya, Namibia, and Thailand completed certified coding training and are now trainers for their peers and students.

The second phase, which includes additional African countries, is currently underway. I understand one of our teacher trainees from Congo, Ms. Geritte Laurina Bakala, is with you today, and I’m sure she has valuable insights to share.

UNESCO is promoting gender equality in the design and use of AI systems through the Artificial Intelligence for Women in Africa Initiative, a collaborative initiative launched in 2023 with the OCP Foundation (Morocco) and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University’s UNESCO Category 2 Centre.

Through this work, we aim to enhance African countries' capacity to adopt and implement AI while ensuring gender equality in AI development. To date, 114 women from 28 African countries have benefited from this capacity-building programme, with 23 start-up projects selected for incubation.

These are but a few examples. What they communicate is the following:

UNESCO believes that Africa is a continent of the future. With its vibrant youth, rich cultural heritage, and vast natural resources, Africa holds immense potential to drive global progress in STEM. As the world faces unprecedented challenges, Africa’s innovative spirit and resilience will be key to shaping the future of our global community.

UNESCO wishes to be part of this future, working alongside African nations to help unlock the continent's full potential. As a partner in Africa’s development, UNESCO is committed to fostering a collaborative environment where STEM fields are leveraged for transformative change.

Transforming STEM involves rethinking education, research, and innovation to meet future demands. Education systems must equip students with both technical skills and critical thinking for a rapidly changing world. Investments in research should focus on areas like climate change, renewable energy, healthcare, and digital technologies, supporting innovation through policies that promote collaboration and entrepreneurship.

This transformation is not just about scientific breakthroughs but fostering innovation across all sectors—agriculture, industry, arts, and social development—ensuring STEM benefits are widespread and inclusive. By harnessing STEM, Africa can build a sustainable, equitable future for all. Thank you.