During the meeting, the MEDEF President thanked the Director-General for the high-level partnership that UNESCO brought to the Africa-France Youth and Entrepreneurship Forum, organized by the MEDEF on 6 and 7 December 2016, through its network called “Programmes pour la Croissance de la Jeunesse Active / Active Growth & Youth Programs (AGYP) Africa-France”. This network brings together entrepreneurs, institutions, stakeholders in education / training, companies, all of which are actors for more inclusive growth. He was also grateful to UNESCO for its support for the Declaration "Africa 2030: Manifesto to Build the future together " jointly crafted by all partners of the forum. This Declaration sets out the concrete objectives of the partner networks and clears a roadmap for future action.

The Director-General underlined the importance of education, especially technical and vocational training, as one of UNESCO's priorities, highlighting its fundamental role to take forward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Challenges facing young people in Africa, in seeking employment, in combatting violence and promoting social inclusion were also discussed.

The President of MEDEF invited the UNESCO Director-General to take part in the press conference that MEDEF will hold at UNESCO in early March, to take stock of the latest Forum on Youth and Entrepreneurship in Africa-France and to present the 2017 Action Plan. The Director-General spoke of the importance UNESCO attaches to entrepreneurship and youth engagement, particularly in Africa, recalling the need to promote technical and vocational education and training. She drew attention here to changes in views she has seen across the world -- including at the Davos Forum, for example – on the importance of education, and TVET.

Ms Bokova and Mr Gattaz looked forward to deepening cooperation for the establishment of a framework for partnership on youth entrepreneurship in Africa.