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UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), in collaboration with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), held a high level ministerial  dialogue with African Ministers in charge of planning, finance and economic development on the issue of harnessing Africa’s potential demographic dividend on the 29thMarch 2015. This high level event occurred on the margins of the First Specialized Technical Committee  on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, which was devoted to the theme of ‘Implementing Agenda 2063 - Planning, Mobilizing and Financing for Development’.

Agenda 2063 is set to be Africa’s blueprint for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. The vision, amongst others, is premised on the ability of Africa to harness one of its biggest assets - its youthful population, for the next 50 years. The returns are expected to be accelerated economic growth, induced by a change in the  population structure and by the contribution of healthy, educated and skilled youth to economic growth as a result of their higher employment and increased incomes.

The high level event provided a platform to discuss practical ways and concrete investment policy choices that will support countries to  create and harness the demographic dividend and contribute to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063. It offered the opportunity to exchange experiences, provide country perspectives, share insights and contribute to the debate on what it will take to realize Africa’s demographic dividend towards Agenda 2063.