CESAM: Technology, Environment, and the Power of Young Voices
On July 24, 2025, I had the privilege of joining the CESAM Conference, “Technologies vs Environnement,” held at the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture in Rabat. From the moment I stepped into the auditorium, I could feel the energy—rows of bright, determined young people from across Africa sitting alongside diplomats, researchers, and industry professionals. It was a vivid reminder of the immense potential our continent carries, especially when its youth are placed at the center of important conversations.
Technology, Climate, and the Questions Defining Our Future
During our panel, we explored some of the pressing questions facing Africa today:
How do we close the persistent infrastructure and connectivity gaps?
How do we prepare our societies for a future shaped by artificial intelligence, accelerated climate pressures, and rapid technological shifts?
And crucially—how do we ensure that young people are not just participants in these transformations, but leaders shaping the agenda?
These are the very questions guiding much of the work at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), where our focus blends policy research with lived human experiences. I had the chance to share insights from this ongoing work and reflect on what an inclusive, digitally resilient Africa could look like.
Listening, Learning, and Lifting Others Up
But what stayed with me most was not the panel itself—it was the conversations afterward. I met students who were eager, curious, and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking. I heard ideas that were bold, practical, and deeply rooted in Africa’s realities. And I was reminded once again that my role is not only to speak, but also to listen, support, and connect.
Young people often feel they are starting from scratch. My message to them is the opposite: you’re stepping into a path that others have walked—and we’re here to help you go further. The doors you’re knocking on have been opened before, and the networks you’re building are part of a larger movement pushing Africa forward.
Why I Left the Conference Hopeful
Moments like these reinforce my belief that Africa’s digital and environmental transitions will be shaped by capable, creative, and determined young leaders. Their questions are sharp, their solutions imaginative, and their drive undeniable.
If we continue creating spaces where youth voices are heard, valued, and empowered, our continent’s future will not just be promising—it will be transformative.
