Speaking at the Demographic Futures Dialogue in Abidjan

On Thursday 5 November 2026 I’ll be a panelist at the Demographic Futures Dialogue in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The Dialogue is convened by UNFPA, the African Union Commission and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, under the theme Capitalizing on demographic change for prosperity, resilience and inclusion.

I’m on Panel 6, A Partnership for Demographic Resilience, alongside ministers of planning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea and Cameroon, and the UNDP Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire. The panel looks at the partnerships countries need to plan for demographic change and turn it into a dividend.

Before the main Dialogue, young leaders from across Africa meet at the Demographic Futures Youth Dialogue on 3 November. Their recommendations feed into the panels and the final Chair’s Summary. I’ll share what I said, and what I heard, here afterwards.