Addis Ababa – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has stepped up discussions with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) on strengthening the way Africa’s development, history and challenges are communicated to audiences around the world.
The discussions took place in Addis Ababa this week during a visit by Maher Nasser, Commissioner General for UN Expos and Director of the Outreach Division at the UN Department of Global Communications.
Nasser met with ECA Deputy Executive Secretary Mama Keita, with both sides agreeing on the need for stronger communication from the UN Regional Commissions to ensure their work and its impact are more widely understood.
Keita pointed to the planned refinery in Lamu, Kenya, as an example of a project whose significance deserves greater visibility. She said the development supports Africa’s efforts towards energy self sufficiency and industrialisation.
Nasser also toured Africa Hall, the historic headquarters of the ECA, where he reflected on its importance to Africa’s political history and the continent’s decolonisation journey.
Speaking after the visit, Nasser said seeing Africa Hall in person helped bring its history to life. He linked the building’s story to the broader evolution of the United Nations, which has grown from 51 member states in 1945 to 193 today.
The discussions also explored the possibility of adapting the DGC’s multilateral timeline exhibition for display at Africa Hall.
The exhibition was first presented at Expo 2025 Osaka and could be redesigned to focus more closely on African milestones, including the establishment of the ECA and the continent’s changing demographic profile.
Africa is currently home to the world’s youngest population and is projected to account for about 40% of the global population by the end of the century.
The ECA and DGC also discussed the possibility of featuring Africa Hall at Expo 2030 Riyadh, providing another platform to showcase the continent’s history and its role in global affairs.
Leave a comment