UNESCO at the 2025 China Africa Education Cooperation and Innovation Development Forum

UNESCO Liaison Office to AU, UNECA and Country Office to Ethiopia, through Dr. Rita Bissoonauth has participated in 2025 China Africa Education Cooperation and Innovation Development Forum. The 2025 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum was held i in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, from 20 to 22 November 2025. This Forum aimed to promote the application of innovative technologies. The Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China and the People's Government of Hubei Province. The Conference also focused on the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and promote the joint building of a China-Africa community with a shared future.

Alongside this forum, the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association (SNAEIA) jointly with the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Center co-organized two high level parallel sessions within the 2025 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum.

At the opening Ceremony of this forum, Dr. Rita Bissoonauth delivered a powerful remark, where she highlighted how the 2025 China Africa Education Cooperation and Innovation Development Forum can serve as a strong platform, enabling environment to support the implementation of the AU Decade of Education. She also highlighted the joint initiatives between UNESCO and China, namely China Funds in Trust I, II and III, on Enhancing Teacher Education as well as Technical Higher Education, UNESCO-Center for Higher Education and Innovation based in Shenzhen, UNESCO Category II Center in STEM among others. Dr. Rita called for mobilization to ensure that Forum discussions translate into policies, partnerships, and actions that open new horizons for millions of learners on both in Africa and China.

According to the organizers, this Forum recorded around 800 guests from 43 countries and regions, including, the AUC Commissioner for Education, Science Technology and Innovation, political leaders, diplomats and foreign representatives, as well as renowned scientists and industry experts from China and Africa.