I am optimistic about Africa's future.

The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) was established in 2003 to enhance international support for Africa's development and security through its advocacy and analytical work, and to assist the UN Secretary-General in improving coherence and coordination of the UN system's support to Africa. Ms. Bience Gawanas was appointed Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa last year. She sat down with Africa Renewal's Zipporah Musau to discuss her role and her priorities for 2020. Excerpts:

Africa Renewal: As the Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General, what is your role?

Bience Gawanas: I see myself as the voice of Africa within the UN. My office, the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, assists the Secretary-General in bringing greater coherence to the UN's support to Africa's development. We also support the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) programme, which is now transitioning to the African Union Development Agency (AUDA).

What would you say are the three biggest challenges facing Africa today?

I would rather talk about the opportunities in Africa. I want to create a positive narrative of Africa. However, we know that we still face challenges of conflicts, disease, poverty and hunger. That is why we must implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa's Agenda 2063 (the AU's blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa).

What are the top three opportunities you see on the continent for 2020?

There are various opportunities that can put Africa on a very different path. For me the greatest opportunity right now is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that came into effect a few months ago. Africa has the potential to be one of the biggest markets in the world. But we need to trade amongst ourselves as Africans.

The second opportunity is the 'Silencing the Guns in Africa' initiative, one of the priority projects of the AU's Agenda 2063. The AU's theme for 2020 will be 'Silencing the Guns,' and there will be a renewed campaign to accelerate the initiative.

Another area of opportunity for me is climate change. For the first time more people are getting involved and discussing climate change like never before. The reality is with us. The UN Climate Action Summit convened by the Secretary-General last September saw many countries join the climate action agenda. Young people across the African continent are saying, 'The future is ours.'

As you mentioned, the...

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