WorldSkills International President Chris Humphries emphasised the organization's mission during the event, stating that the "organization's mission is simple: to change the world for the better through skills."

Humphries noted that investing in skills is the fastest and most reliable way to create more jobs, build equitable, successful, and sustainable economies.

"Skills are the key to empowering young people, reducing inequalities, making industries more competitive, and ensuring long-term sustainability."

While the WorldSkills community gathers in full force every two years for the competition, Humphries stressed that the movement works daily to transform skills development globally.

WorldSkills now boasts 89 member countries and regions, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Nigeria joining this week.

Humphries praised the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation at the press conference, saying that the airing of the WorldSkills Africa competition held in Swakopmund two years ago acted as a catalyst for reactions from African countries.

"And the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation was an essential part of the whole competition there, and your broadcasting actually covered the whole of Africa. What was fascinating, directly related to your question, is that although every African country had been invited to participate, it was surprising to us how many ran up after your coverage, swept across Africa, to say, why won't you? Now, our answer to them was very simple. One, you were invited, but not ready. And two, we have, in the process, and were then, and we have now established, WorldSkills Africa, a regional platform for WorldSkills International, to actually work with the nations of Africa."

He further stated that he was inspired by the passion displayed by Namibian competitors.

"One of the things for me about WorldSkills Africa at Swakopmund 2022 was the young people who participated. Their passion for education, their passion to develop their skills, and their passion to serve their countries and communities by creating opportunities was stunning. Second to none, their attitude and cultural approach to wanting to learn in order to improve themselves and the opportunities for their families, children, and country was stunning. And that told me as clearly as anything could that Africa, the young people of Africa, are ready for this. And our job, I think, is to work with the countries to make that success possible."