Nasser International Forum Showcases Youth Diplomacy Leadership at 2025 Pan-African Youth Forum in Djibouti

By Samuel Asamoah 

The Nasser International Forum has reinforced its role in youth diplomacy and continental cooperation with active participation in the 2025 Pan-African Youth Forum held in Djibouti from November 4 to 6. The event, convened by the African Union Commission under the theme “From Ambition to Action: Youth as Catalysts for Sustainable Development,” brought together young leaders from across the continent to advance Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Anthropologist Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the Nasser International Forum, described the forum’s participation as a strategic contribution to strengthening youth integration across Africa. He highlighted Djibouti’s unique position as a symbolic gateway between the Arab and African regions, making it an ideal host for the continental gathering.

According to Ghazaly, the composition of the Nasser International Forum’s delegation embodied the organization’s commitment to pluralism, cross-border cooperation, and inclusive leadership. The delegation comprised Dr. Mohamed Ezz and Engineer Rowan Al-Omda from Egypt; Engineer Hudhaifa Al-Hassan from Sudan; legal expert Bubba Fatty from The Gambia; and UN activist Malika Elias from Djibouti.

He noted that the diverse backgrounds of the delegates reflected the forum’s mission to empower young people across regions by facilitating knowledge exchange on development, leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Engineer Hudhaifa Al-Hassan, who also serves as Secretary-General of the Arab-African Youth Council and is a graduate of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship, highlighted a panel discussion hosted by the Council on the sidelines of the forum. The session, titled “The Role of Inclusive Markets and Inclusive Business in Achieving Regional Integration,” explored how Arab and African youth can drive continental transformation by championing inclusive economic models that expand opportunities and strengthen socio-economic resilience.

Throughout the forum, members of the Nasser International delegation underscored the need for regional cooperation networks that move beyond isolated initiatives to create sustainable development impact. They shared insights on the prospects and obstacles of building inclusive markets in Africa and presented examples of ongoing projects under the Nasser International Forum and the Arab-African Youth Council aimed at youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and capacity building.

Established in 2019, the Nasser International Forum has evolved into a prominent public diplomacy platform advancing African and Arab cooperation. Its key initiatives include the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship, the Nasser Youth Movement for Bilateral Relations Development, the National Vanguard School, the Nasser Social Platform (experimental), and its official online portal. Together, these programs form an integrated ecosystem for nurturing young leaders capable of driving development, strengthening international partnerships, and fostering intercultural dialogue.

The forum’s participation in the 2025 Pan-African Youth Forum solidified its growing influence in shaping youth-centered development and regional integration efforts across the continent.