Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi – As global leaders and policy experts continue deliberations at the Annual Policy Dialogue 2025, a vital side event held earlier today at the KICC in Nairobi brought the spotlight closer to home—focusing on youth participation in governance and decision-making processes.

Speaking during the session, Kenyan representatives emphasized the critical responsibility of governments and institutions to not only engage young people, but to empower them as active agents of change. The call for meaningful youth inclusion comes at a time when Africa’s youth population is rapidly growing, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for transformative leadership

“We have a responsibility to develop and implement policies that promote meaningful youth participation in governance and decision-making processes,” a speaker remarked, underscoring the urgency of the matter.

The side event served as a complementary platform to the main Annual Policy Dialogue organized by the Club de Madrid, which this year has prioritized reforms in global financial governance. While the main discussions at the United Nations have tackled issues such as taxation, debt relief, and systemic financial reform, the Nairobi side event reinforced the message that strong and inclusive governance must start from within nations themselves.

By involving youth in shaping national policies, Kenya and other African countries can build more resilient, accountable, and future-oriented governments. The discussions at KICC concluded with a commitment to integrate youth voices not just in policy formulation, but also in implementation and monitoring at all levels.

Please follow and like us: