Around 140 Catholic bishops from Eastern Africa gathered in Nairobi on 19 July for the 21st Plenary Assembly of AMECEA (the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa), with youth ministry declared the region's top pastoral priority for the next four years. AMECEA President Bishop Charles Kasonde announced the focus, saying bishops want to demonstrate that young people "are worth the effort" and to foster their sense of belonging in the Church. Cardinal Michael Czerny, representing the Vatican, urged young people not to be "robbed of hope," while Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi called for stronger regional cooperation on peace, governance, and youth empowerment, stressing the Church's role in equipping the next generation.