Extensive Egyptian participation in the 10th session of the Dakar International Peace Forum in Senegal

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

Ambassador Saif Kandil, Director of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding in Africa, and Khaled Aref, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Senegal, along with members of the embassy, participated in the proceedings of the tenth session of the Forum Dakar International Peace and Security in AfricaWhich was held on April 20 and 21, 2026 at the Abdou Diouf International Center in Diamniadio, Republic of Senegal.

Participation of representatives from 37 countries

This year’s forum was held under the theme: «Africa facing the challenges of stability, integration and sovereignty: What are the sustainable solutions?» with the participation of representatives from 37 countries, confirming its status as a key platform for strategic dialogue and the exchange of views on security and stability issues in West Africa.

Terrorism and organized crime are the continent's biggest challenges.

The participants discussed the most prominent challenges facing the continent, most notably the growing threats of terrorism, organized crime, and cross-border trafficking, in addition to the repercussions of climate change, especially in the Sahel region.

The interventions emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between African countries, with the support of regional frameworks, foremost among them the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as the way to achieve effective and sustainable responses.

Egypt, through the Cairo International Center, affirmed its continued commitment to supporting African capacities in the fields of conflict prevention and peacebuilding, based on its accumulated experience in the areas of training and institutional support.

In a related context, the forum addressed the issue of natural resource governance as a fundamental pillar for achieving economic sovereignty.

Ambassador Khaled Aref reviewed the experience of the Senegal River Basin Development Organization as a successful model of regional cooperation, highlighting the ability of riparian states to jointly manage water resources, which enhances opportunities for achieving sustainable development, supports food and energy security, and contributes to building trust between countries.

The issue of combating terrorism also received extensive attention during the discussions, with Ambassador Aref stressing the need to adopt a comprehensive approach that is not limited to security aspects, but extends to include economic, educational and social dimensions.

In this context, he pointed to the role played by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Foundation in spreading the values of moderation and tolerance, which contributes to confronting extremist thought and enhancing the stability of African societies.

In the plenary session dedicated to the topic of sovereignty and contemporary challenges, the importance of empowering women and youth as two essential elements in achieving sustainable development was emphasized.

Ambassador Aref highlighted the Egyptian state’s efforts in this regard, pointing to the national initiative «Decent Life» which aims to improve the standard of living in rural areas, in addition to programs to support women’s entrepreneurship and initiatives to protect childhood.

In concluding his participation, Ambassador Aref stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between the Dakar Forum and the Aswan Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, in order to unify African visions and transform recommendations into practical policies that support development and stability efforts on the continent.

Egypt is keen to strengthen cooperation with African partners.

Egypt’s participation in the forum reflects its keenness to enhance cooperation with its African partners and support efforts to achieve stability and development, based on its belief in the continent’s ability to turn challenges into real opportunities for growth and prosperity.