During her official visit, she met representatives of the UN agencies and of multilateral and bilateral institutions as well as the President of the Republic of Senegal. During the meeting with the latter, she congratulated him for his key role in mediating conflicts in the region and for the 2016 UNESCO Literacy Prize awarded to Senegal. She also reaffirmed UNESCO’s readiness to extend its continued assistance to the national policy in support of the quality of education and human resources development - key factors of development in Senegal.

In the afternoon, she visited the Centre d'Excellence Al Azhar at Mbao in the suburbs of Dakar, which offers graduates from Arab-Islamic schools further education and vocational training opportunities. She expressed her appreciation to Serigne Mame Mor Mbacke and other managers of the centre for their endeavour towards more just, equitable and peaceful societies. Recalling that UNESCO was created on the premise that "since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed", she complimented the successful efforts of the centre to nurture peace and global citizenship in the minds of youth while helping their effective socio-economic integration."

Later, during her meeting with the young girls and women with disabilities at the literacy classes in Derklé, which provide them with basic skills for their empowerment, she emphasized that "girls’ and women’s empowerment is the key to more just and peaceful societies. It is a matter of human right. It is an investment in the future. A society is strong, resilient and dynamic, only if it can include everyone, all its components. All together we move forward, or not at all." This project supported by UNESCO, in partnership with the Collectif National pour l’Education Alternative et Populaire and the Commission féminine de l’Association des Handicapés Moteurs du Sénégal embodies such vision.

Finally, during the press conference at the Derklé centre, the Director-General explained why UNESCO has made Africa its global priority, "because all the global issues go through Africa: global warming ... poverty ... youth development... and it's in Africa that we will show first our ability to deliver together". There are still many challenges ahead. "The two priority vectors, among others, are, in my opinion, quality education for all, particularly for girls, and the preservation of peace starting with the prevention of extremism and violence."

This visit was in the framework of strengthening cooperation between UNESCO and Senegal in pursuit of peace and sustainable development. The Director-General will successively visit Chad, Niger and Nigeria, to discuss UNESCO's programmes in the region, particularly in areas of education and the prevention of violent extremism.