5th Aswan Forum Concludes with Calls for African-Led Solutions to Global Challenges

The fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development concluded on Monday in the historic city of Aswan, reaffirming Africa’s commitment to advancing homegrown solutions to the continent’s peace, security, and development challenges amid a rapidly changing global landscape.

Held under the theme “A World in Flux, A Continent in Motion: Navigating Africa’s Progress Amid Global Shifts,” the two-day high-level gathering brought together heads of state, ministers, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, private sector representatives, and civil society leaders.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated the forum, emphasizing Africa’s capacity to play a leading role in rebuilding global trust and restoring multilateral cooperation.

“Despite formidable global challenges and harsh realities, Africa boasts untapped potential, abundant resources, and powerful human capital,” President El-Sisi said in his keynote address. “Our continent can pioneer efforts to restore the cohesion and credibility of the global order.”

He warned, however, that the international community’s “selectivity and double standards” in upholding international law had deepened humanitarian crises and weakened global governance. He called for renewed commitments to debt relief and climate finance for developing countries.

The President highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a cornerstone of the continent’s Agenda 2063 and underscored the importance of investment in infrastructure, private sector engagement, and innovative partnerships for sustainable growth.

The forum also marked key global milestones, including the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, and the 10th anniversary of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda. Special sessions focused on empowering women and youth as drivers of peace and inclusive development.

Ambassador Seif Kandeel, Director General of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and Executive Director of the Forum, said this year’s edition “takes the Aswan Forum’s mission further by engaging the business and philanthropic communities as essential partners in advancing sustainable peace and development across our continent.”

The discussions explored the nexus between peace, security, and development—known as the **PSD nexus—and addressed emerging issues such as climate-security risks, digital transformation, and the role of strategic infrastructure and trade in fostering stability and growth.

An African-Owned Platform for Action

Launched by Egypt in 2019 during its presidency of the African Union (AU), the Aswan Forum serves as an African-owned, action-oriented platform that bridges the gap between policy and practice. It brings together leaders from governments, regional organizations, and international partners to design and implement concrete, African-led initiatives.

Over its five editions, the Forum has become a recognized platform of the AU Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) for advancing post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) efforts, promoting inclusive dialogue, and translating policy commitments into tangible progress.

This year’s outcomes—collectively known as the “Aswan Outcomes”—will be followed up throughout the coming year to ensure implementation.

 “Africa has the capacity to secure and fulfill its peoples’ aspirations for sustainable peace and development,” President El-Sisi concluded. “This will allow them to thrive within a just global order governed by humanitarian principles and values.”