Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
This year’s events will be held in Cairo from 17 to 23 November under the theme Rebuilding Lives After Conflict Through Restorative Justice.
In a presidential statement, El-Sisi, who serves as the AU Champion for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, said African states continue to grapple with interconnected security and development pressures, from internal conflicts, terrorism and transnational crime to humanitarian crises, poverty and deteriorating education systems.
These challenges, he added, are intensified by climate change and the misuse of advanced technologies.
El-Sisi warned that global geopolitical polarization is also deepening the continent’s vulnerabilities and complicating efforts to advance the AU’s Agenda 2063 for stability and prosperity.
Despite these strains, he said Africa retains “vast potential, resources, and immense human capital,” noting progress in leveraging these strengths to promote peace, security and development.
The president called for stronger continental solidarity and more holistic approaches to conflict recovery, including implementation of the AU’s updated post-conflict policy, institutional strengthening, national ownership of solutions, capacity building and expanded engagement of youth and women.
He also underscored the need to deliver justice for victims of conflict, pointing to the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, held in October, as part of Egypt’s wider effort to link peace, security and development in reconstruction strategies.
El-Sisi praised the African Union Centre for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-PCRD) in Cairo for its work supporting stabilization, capacity building and public awareness in several African countries, expressing hope that its programmes will continue to expand.
He also commended the African Union Commission for supporting reconstruction and peacebuilding initiatives, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to working with African leaders, regional organisations and international partners to advance the goals of Agenda 2063.
Launched in 2021, the AU PCRD Awareness Week aims to increase public understanding of post-conflict needs and mobilize political and financial support for recovery efforts.
Each edition brings together AU member states, regional bodies, civil society and international partners for workshops, discussions and high-level forums.
Headquartered in Cairo and inaugurated in 2021, the AUC-PCRD serves as the AU’s lead institution for designing and implementing reconstruction programmes. It focuses on capacity building, institutional rehabilitation, peacebuilding training and supporting national recovery strategies.
The AU appointed El-Sisi as its Champion for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development in 2019.
Since then, Egypt has hosted multiple AU meetings on peace and security, offered technical training for African officials and expanded cooperation with conflict-affected states.
Launched the same year, the Aswan Forum remains Africa’s first platform dedicated to addressing the peace–security–development nexus.
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