The opening ceremony was presided over by Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN, and featured opening remarks by notable figures such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, President of Senegal and Chairperson of the AU Committee of Heads of State and Government on STEM Education Macky Sall, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly Denis Francis, and Paula Narváez, Chile's Permanent Representative to the UN and President of ECOSOC.

This crucial meeting explored the theme "Education through Science, Technology, and Innovation toward the Africa We Want," emphasizing the key roles of education, investment, and collaboration in unlocking Africa's potential in these areas. The 2024 Africa Dialogue focused on "Education in Africa 5.0," aligning with the African Union's priorities and utilizing partnerships to engage in strategic dialogues on education, science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development goals.

The dialogue was organized by the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the UN, along with their partners. It aimed to serve as an interactive and forward-looking platform for developing actionable strategies to accelerate Africa's development. The dialogue highlighted the commitment of the UN and its partners to use education, science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development in Africa. Stakeholders from various sectors were invited to join this transformative discussion, which promises to shape a hopeful future for the African continent.

This High-level Policy Dialogue underscored the commitment to addressing low educational investment and providing sustainable development and job opportunities for African youth. The event marked a pinnacle in the 2024 Africa Dialogue Series, predicting a future that would shape the continent.