By Spy Uganda
Kampala – The Afro-Arab Youth Congress, a high-profile continental forum fostering socio-economic cooperation and intercultural dialogue between African and Arab youth, will officially close tomorrow, Friday, October 10, 2025, at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The event will be graced by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the Chief Guest.
The prestigious congress, hosted at the luxurious Speke Resort Munyonyo — a property owned by business magnate Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, has, over the past days, convened hundreds of youth delegates, policymakers, scholars, and cultural ambassadors from across Africa and the Arab world.
The Afro-Arab Youth Congress serves as a strategic platform aimed at strengthening cooperation between African and Arab nations through youth-led initiatives, entrepreneurship, innovation, and cultural diplomacy. The overarching goal is to bridge historical divides, foster mutual understanding, and harness demographic dividends for sustainable development.
First convened in the early 2000s under the auspices of the Afro-Arab Partnership Framework, the congress has evolved into a continental dialogue hub, addressing key issues such as economic integration, education, employment, and peacebuilding. It also echoes the spirit of the 1977 Cairo Declaration, which laid the foundation for Afro-Arab solidarity and South–South cooperation.
This year’s edition has run under the theme “Youth at the Center of Afro-Arab Cooperation: Building Bridges for a Shared Future”, featuring panel discussions, exhibitions, and cultural showcases highlighting innovation, trade, and leadership across both regions.
President Museveni’s attendance at the closing ceremony tomorrow underscores Uganda’s continued commitment to Pan-African and Afro-Arab solidarity. His expected address will likely emphasize economic self-reliance, continental unity, and the strategic role of youth in shaping the geopolitical future of Africa and the Arab world.
The hosting of the congress at Sudhir Ruparelia’s Speke Resort Munyonyo further underlines Uganda’s growing reputation as a regional hub for diplomacy, investment, and high-level international gatherings.
