Cote d'Ivoire youth encouraged to contribute to structural transformation

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's Sub-Regional Office for West Africa last week held a conversation with young people in Cote d'Ivoire on their contributions to the structural transformation of their country.

The meeting, which was held on Friday in Abidjan under the chairmanship of the director of the office, Ngone Diop, brought together some 30 representatives of youth movements and associations in Cote d'Ivoire.

The main objective was to engage the youth to take ownership of structural transformation and the development strategies to achieve it in the case of the sub-region in general, and Cote d'Ivoire in particular, so they can benefit.

In her speech, Diop made it clear to the youth of Cote d'Ivoire their contributions are indispensable to the structural transformation of their country.

"Youth are the future of Africa and you must be aware of your imminently important role in the development of your country," Diop said.

"Achieving structural transformation is a path strewn with obstacles, and if there are obstacles, there are opportunities. You have everything you need," she added.

She also informed the youth of Cote d'Ivoire of the existence of several programs dedicated to youth. This conversation made it possible to engage the youth of Cote d'Ivoire on the issues of socioeconomic development of their country in a context marked by COVID-19 and to exchange with them on the economic opportunities that Cote d'Ivoire and West Africa can benefit from for socioeconomic development.