We are excited to announce the Fourth International Youth and Land Governance Conference (CIGOFA 4) and invite distinguished speakers to join us in Arusha, Tanzania, from 20-24 October, 2024. This year’s theme, “Acceleration of Youth Land Rights,” aims to address the critical role of youth in land governance and the urgent need to secure land rights for young people.

CIGOFA 4 provides a unique platform for young leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to discuss and develop innovative solutions to land governance challenges. The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Organizing Committee President Words

Innocent Antoine Houedji

Hello/ good morning colleagues. I would like to welcome you all to the international conference of youth land governance in Africa. Thank you to each one of you for being here with us today. We are very pleased to be able to welcome those of you that have been with us for a long time now as well as those who are new to the land governance in Africa.

A few basic facts: there were 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 in the world in 2015, or one person in six in the world. By 2030, the target date for achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDOs), the number of young people is expected to increase by 7%, reaching nearly 1.3 billion. Given the size of this population, the world will never be able to achieve Goal 1 (eradicate poverty in all its forms throughout the world) without focusing on youth.