Assembly/AU/Decl.1(XXIX) Page 1 DECLARATION ON THE 2017 AU THEME “HARNESSING THE DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDEND THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN YOUTH” Doc. Assembly/AU/3(XXIX) We, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, meeting at our 29 th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following our debate on the 2017 theme of the year on “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth”: Recalling AU Assembly decision, Assembly/AU/Dec.601(XXVI), that declared 2017 as the year of “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth” and called for the development of a concrete roadmap with milestones and deliverables that would guide Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) towards harnessing the demographic dividend; Further Recalling: - Assembly/AU/Dec 121 (VII) of July 2006 in Banjul on the adoption of the African Youth Charter; - EX.CL/Dec 468(XIV) of January 2009 in Addis Ababa on the 2 e session of African Minister in Charge of Youth (COMY II); - EX.CL/Dec 921(XXIX) of July 2016 in Kigali on the adoption of the road map of the theme of the year 2017. Acknowledging that our ability to achieve the “Africa We Want” as envisioned in Agenda 2063 will depend on the investments we make in the youth of Africa who form the majority of the continent’s population; Further Acknowledging that the strategic pillars of the “AU Roadmap on Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth” on education and skills development; employment and entrepreneurship, health and wellbeing; and youth, rights and governance, all lie at the core of national, sub-regional and continental development frameworks and action towards achieving these must be expedited; Recognizing that the success of Africa’s efforts towards harnessing the demographic dividend must go beyond 2017, and that the systematic work involving all key stakeholders, towards achieving Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is crucial to this end; Welcoming the progress made so far across many African countries in implementing key aspects of the AU Roadmap on Demographic Dividend whilst noting the need for further action and implementation on all fronts;