High-Level Plenary: Geopolitical Challenges for Peace and Security in Africa

Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its geopolitical evolution, navigating a rapidly shifting global landscape marked by changing alliances, regional conflicts, climate crises, and governance transitions. As the world becomes increasingly multipolar, African nations are striving to assert greater agency in shaping global peace and security policies while managing internal and regional challenges.

This High-Level Plenary Session brings together senior policymakers, diplomats, and experts to explore how Africa can strengthen its leadership in peacebuilding and conflict resolution amid evolving geopolitical realities. The discussion will address Africa’s positioning within major global alliances, its role in multilateral peace and security efforts, and the strategies needed to promote stability, resilience, and self-reliance in addressing emerging threats.

The session is part of the Geneva Peace Week Meets Addis Ababa initiative, fostering a dynamic exchange between Geneva’s multilateral ecosystem and African peacebuilding institutions. By bridging global and regional perspectives, this session will contribute to identifying innovative approaches for enhancing multilateral cooperation, supporting conflict prevention efforts, and ensuring Africa’s priorities are reflected in international decision-making forums.

Key themes

• Strengthening multilateral cooperation and regional conflict prevention.
• Enhancing Africa’s role in global peacebuilding.
• The impact of international alliances and trade on stability.
• The role of locally led peace initiatives.

Speakers 

Welcome Addresses

• Amb. Pietro Mona, Swiss Permanent Representative to the AU, IGAD & UNECA
• Dr. Annyssa Bellal, Executive Director, Geneva Peacebuilding Platform
• H.E Jafar Bedru Geletu, Executive Director, Institute of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia

Panel Discussion

• H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf , Chairperson of the AU Commission (tbc)
• Dr. Patrick Osakwe, Poverty and Inequalities Branch, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (online)
• Awa Dabo, Director & Deputy Head, UN Department of Political & Peacebuilding Affairs (online)
• Amb. Nathalie Chuard, Director, DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance 
• Itonde Kakoma, President, Interpeace (online)

Moderator

• Dr. Solomon Ayele Dersso, Founding Director, Amani Africa

Registration

To attend this event, please register here. 

Join online

This event will be live streamed live on Zoom, click here to join live.

Time Zone Information

Times indicated reflect the local Addis Ababa time zone (East Africa Time) one hour ahead of  Geneva time (Central European Time).

Organisers