The Arab and African Youth Platform (AAYP) opened Saturday in Aswan, the Capital for African Youth. The three-day event, which concludes on Monday, is held under the auspices of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. The AAYP kicked off with a ceremony marking Egypt's chairmanship of the African Union presidency. The celebration highlighted Egypt's status as the meeting pointing of the African and Arab civilizations and as a vital strategic hub for partnership between the Arab world and the African continent. The ceremony included an artistic performance blending African and Arab civilizations and arts. A number of African figures also spoke of their perception of what comes after Egypt's chairmanship of the African Union and what Africa aspires to achieve with Egypt at the helm. The AAYP is one of the World Youth Forum Platforms aimed at granting Egyptian and world youth the opportunity to develop their ideas in all fields. The platform agenda focuses on a number of issues related to the challenges facing the African and Arab worlds, in light of Egypt's chairmanship of the African Union this year. Through seminars, workshops, and roundtables, young leaders will engage in open dialogues with decision-makers about issues that occupy Arab and African youth. The AAYP schedule includes a series of cultural and entertainment events. Platform participants will also tour Aswan, Egypt's civilizational gateway to Africa. — SG
