"By putting education, youth and cultural diversity at the forefront of our priorities, we are laying the foundations for a stable, resilient, prosperous and peaceful Africa", stressed Bourita at the opening of a ministerial-level Lunch-Debate on the theme "Education, Youth, Cultural Diversity: Vectors of Peace and Security in Africa", held at the pan-African organization's headquarters by Morocco on the sidelines of the 44th session of the African Union's Executive Council.

The Minister underlined the need to invest in young people's education, vocational training and the creation of job opportunities, while actively involving them in decision-making processes.

Bourita added that African countries are called upon to foster a culture of responsibility and commitment, which are essential to building a stable society.

The Minister stressed that education, which is the cornerstone of development in Africa, faces many challenges, noting that 98 million children are out of school in Africa, in addition to limited resources and a shortage of teachers, an alarming rate of learning poverty, and educational infrastructures that are sometimes deficient and hamper the full potential of Africa's youth.

Bourita stressed the need to work together to guarantee inclusive, equitable and quality education.

The Minister affirmed that, in line with the High Royal Vision for South-South cooperation, Morocco is sparing no effort to implement promising cooperation projects in the field of education and training with partner countries, and to launch concrete initiatives such as the initiative of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to create an African Institute for Lifelong Learning.