Youth, Water Focus of Africa Week 2026

UNESCO's Africa Week 2026 welcomes a rich and diverse programme built around conferences, high level panels, youth activities, meetings with civil society, exhibitions, cinema, gastronomy, a book fair and a gala. Through these events, UNESCO and the Africa Group will highlight issues related to water, youth, culture and sustainable development on the African continent.
  • What? 2026 edition of UNESCO's African Week
  • When? From Tuesday, 19 May at 9:30 AM to 22 May at 8:00 PM
  • Where? UNESCO Headquarters, 125 Avenue de Suffren, 75007 Paris
  • Media accreditation: Here
  • Programme: Here

The African Water Week 2026 will open on Tuesday 19 May with a ministerial panel on "Water security as a driver of Agenda 2063," bringing together representatives of Member States, the African Union, NGOs and youth. In the afternoon, "The Voice" session will give the floor to young entrepreneurs and innovators in the field of water and sanitation, before the NGO Forum explores promoting a culture of peace in Africa. The following days will feature discussion panels on digital transformation, social inclusion and water-related cultural heritage.

The Youth Hub will be one of the highlights of this edition, with stands showcasing innovations and solutions developed by young African women and men in connection with this year's theme. The Hub will open its doors from 10:00 AM and will be active throughout the week, featuring presentations by young Africans.

The week will conclude on Friday 22 May with an NGO Forum addressing the role of women and Indigenous knowledge in peacebuilding, followed by the official closing ceremony featuring the presentation of the final recommendations and artistic performances.

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.