DJIBOUTI, Djibouti, July 20, 2025– The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Gender Department and with support from the Government of Japan, will convene a High-Level Forum of the IGAD Council of Eminent Persons (ICEP) focused on advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in the region on July 24-25, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Forum, which follows the successful induction of the Council in May 2024, will bring together respected women political leaders, seasoned mediators, and influential personalities from the worlds of sports and culture. Established as part of IGAD’s ongoing institutional reforms, the IGAD Council of Eminent Persons is a distinguished advisory body comprising respected figures from various fields, including governance, religion, education, the arts, and athletics. The Council expands the scope of peacebuilding by bringing together traditional and non-traditional peace actors under one platform, while supporting IGAD’s regional mandate to address conflict, displacement, and social fragmentation.
“The power of peace lies not only in political agreements but in the hearts, voices, and creativity of our people,” said H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary. “This Forum celebrates a new era of inclusive peace leadership—where stateswomen, artists, and athletes stand side-by-side as agents of change.”
The Forum will explore innovative approaches to conflict resolution, knowledge-sharing, and the integration of culturally relevant peace narratives. It will also serve as a platform to validate the ICEP’s Short- and Long-Term Strategic Plan, aligning the Council’s work with IGAD’s broader peace and development agenda.
Expected outcomes include:
- A compilation of insights and practices from across IGAD Member States on mediation and peacebuilding.
- Identification of regional good practices and shared challenges in conflict prevention.
- Recommendations for operationalizing the ICEP Strategic Plan at national and regional levels.
This initiative underscores IGAD’s commitment to inclusive and participatory peace processes, while promoting leadership that reflects the diversity, resilience, and creativity of the Horn of Africa.
For media inquiries, please contact:
IGAD Communications Unit
Email: communications@igad.int
Website: www.igad.int
