African Youth Charter @20 / Pan-African Youth Forum 2026
CITY / COUNTRY: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA.
Date: 11/16-20/2026.
African Youth Charter @20 / Pan-African Youth Forum 2026.
Celebrating Two Decades of Advancing Youth Rights, Participation and Development in Africa.
African Youth Charter @20 marks the 20th anniversary of the African Youth Charter, the AU’s principal legally binding framework for promoting and protecting the rights, participation and development of young people aged 15–35. The 2026 anniversary provides an opportunity to assess progress, identify implementation gaps and strengthen youth participation and leadership across Africa. The official commemoration is scheduled to take place during the Pan-African Youth Forum in November 2026.
Historical Context: The African Youth Charter was adopted on 2 July 2006 in Banjul, The Gambia, and entered into force on 8 August 2009. Over two decades it has served as a key AU framework for youth participation, education, employment, health, peace and security and socioeconomic development. In 2026, the AU is using the 20th anniversary to review its impact and reaffirm commitments to youth empowerment and participation.
Organiser:
- African Union Commission – Women, Gender and Youth Directorate / Youth Division.