(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles’ President Danny Faure will attend the 28^th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union which will take place in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, next week.

The Assembly is the AU’s supreme organ and comprises of heads of state and government from all member States. It determines the AU’s policies, establishes its priorities, adopts its annual programme and monitors the implementation of its policies and decisions.

Faure leaves the country on Saturday for the Summit, which will be held under the theme “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investments in Youth.’’

Youth constitute 70% of the African population and remain a critical part of the continent’s most precious resources.

In the African Youth Charter which the AU’s executive council adopted in July 2006 and came into force in August 2009, youth is described as every person between the ages of 15 and 35 years.

The AU’s executive council summit earlier this week emphasized the need for Africa to boost investment in the continent’s youth by promoting transformative and inclusive development agendas aimed at recognising the efforts by the youth in entrepreneurship and innovation.

The African Union was created in 2002 and has 54 member states. It succeeded the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) set up in May 1963 by 32 African states that had achieved independence. 

President Faure who will leave Seychelles on Saturday, will return on February 2.