World Public Summit: Africa Discusses Preparation of a New Generation of Leaders and Development of International Youth Cooperation

On July 30, 2026, Addis Ababa, hosted the international strategic session "New Generation of Leaders: Education, Employment, and International Cooperation" held within the framework of the World Public Summit: Africa "New World: Africa in Shaping a Common Future".

The session was organized by the World Peoples Assembly and the International Center "New Generation of Eurasia." It was held with the support of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, UNICEF, the African Union Department of Women, Youth and Gender Equality, Serve Global, and the Global Black History, Heritage and Education Centre.

The session brought together representatives of state authorities, international organizations, youth associations, universities, and the expert community, as well as young leaders from African, Asian, and European countries. Participants discussed modern approaches to human capital development, unlocking youth leadership potential, and expanding international cooperation.

The discussion was moderated by Ethiopian journalist, blogger, and host, author and creator of Addis Podcast projects, Hiwote Desalegn (Ethiopia).

A welcoming address to the participants was delivered by Alime Kukoeva, Head of the Directorate for Youth Cooperation of the World Peoples Assembly:

- A new generation of leaders does not emerge on its own – it must be purposefully cultivated through education, practice, and international cooperation. If we want sustainable peace, we need to create real development pathways for young people: from school and university projects to participation in global initiatives where young people become not spectators but full-fledged partners.

The discussion featured representatives from the Gambia, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, and Russia, representing government agencies, international organizations, youth initiatives, educational institutions, and the civic sector.

The speakers paid particular attention to issues of human capital development, support for youth entrepreneurship, creating new opportunities for professional self-fulfillment of young people, and the role of education in preparing leaders capable of acting effectively in a rapidly changing world.

One of the central topics of the discussion was international youth cooperation and public diplomacy as crucial tools for strengthening mutual understanding between countries, building a culture of trust, and preparing a new generation of leaders focused on jointly addressing global challenges.

Participants agreed that investing in youth is investing in the sustainable future of nations. It is young leaders who become the driving force behind social transformation, technological development, public initiatives, and international humanitarian cooperation.

According to the participants, a modern leader must possess not only professional competencies but also a high degree of social responsibility, the ability to engage in constructive dialogue, respect for cultural diversity, and a commitment to acting in the interest of society.

One of the key initiatives presented during the strategic panel session was the African Youth Public Diplomats Network – a new international project of the World Peoples Assembly aimed at developing youth public diplomacy and building a community of young African leaders.

For additional information, please visit the official websites of the World Public Summits and the World Peoples Assembly.