Uganda will host the Afro-Arab Youth Congress 2025, an international gathering aimed at empowering youth through dialogue, innovation, and policy influence across Africa and the Arab world.
Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in Charge of Children and Youth Affairs, launched the event on Tuesday, August 6, 2025. The Congress is scheduled to take place from October 6 to 10 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
Held under the theme “Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity, and Development,” the summit will bring together more than 1,000 delegates from African and Arab countries. Participants will include youth leaders, policymakers, diplomats, and development partners.
The event will feature keynote speeches, innovation exhibitions, and panel sessions on critical issues such as peacebuilding, climate resilience, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion. Delegates will also take part in workshops tailored to tackle youth unemployment and boost digital skills.
A major highlight of the Congress will be the launch of a fundraising campaign to establish the Afro-Arab International Headquarters in Uganda. The proposed facility will house an office complex, a university of science and technology, an international stadium, a hotel, and a cultural heritage centre representing both African and Arab identities.
Minister Balaam encouraged Ugandan youth to seize the opportunity and actively participate in shaping the continent’s future.
“This Congress is your chance to connect, innovate, and lead a united Afro-Arab future,” he said.
“Your voices will not only be heard but will shape policies for sustainable change.”
He urged the media to amplify the event, saying it reflects Uganda’s growing influence in global youth discourse.
During the launch, Minister Balaam emphasized the government’s ongoing support for youth through initiatives such as the Youth Livelihood Program, which has helped thousands of young Ugandans start businesses. He cited training centres like the Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub, which has equipped over 460 youth with vocational skills in trades such as welding and tailoring.
He added that the National Youth Policy had expanded access to reproductive health services and entrepreneurial grants, further enabling self-reliance.
“We are building bridges between Africa and the Arab world, ensuring our youth are architects of peace and progress,” Balaam stated.
The Congress aligns with Uganda’s Pan-African leadership, including its role in the recent Africa Youth Congress 2025 and the Kampala Declaration that reaffirmed support for Western Sahara’s liberation struggle.
As global challenges such as conflict and climate change persist, Uganda’s hosting of the Afro-Arab Youth Congress 2025 positions the country as a centre for youth-driven solutions and regional unity.
