Babacar Ndiaye Auditorium, African Development Bank, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire — The African Development Institute of the African Development Bank, as part of its Kofi A. Annan Eminent Speakers Lecture Series, will host Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a renowned peace activist and the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Co-Laureate.

Ms Gbowee will speak on the topic: "Grassroots Women Activists: The Underrated Power".

Ms. Leymah Gbowee is the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize co-Laureate. She received this distinguished award in recognition of her sterling work for non-violent struggle for the safety of women, lobbying and advocacy for children, peace, security, human rights, sustainable development and full participation in prominent peace-building initiatives.

She is the Founder and President of the Gbowee Foundation, a foundation that provides educational and leadership opportunities to girls, women and youth in West Africa and around the World.

The President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, will deliver the Introductory Remarks at this 23rd edition of the Eminent Speakers' Lecture. Dr. Celestin Monga, Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance & Knowledge Management at the Bank, will give the welcome remarks.

This edition of the Bank's Kofi A. Annan Eminent Speakers Lecture Series will bring together representatives of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, the diplomatic community, the private sector, academia and the media.

The lecture will be held at the Babacar Ndiaye auditorium at the Bank Headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire from 14h15 to 16h45 on 11 December, 2018.

The African Development Institute, which supports evidence-based policy guidance and dialogue to achieve inclusive development in Africa, uses the Kofi A. Annan's Eminent Speakers' Seminar Series to share insights and stimulate dialogue on development challenges in Africa.

Launched in 2006, the lecture series was previously known as the Eminent Speakers Lecture Series.