In a landmark gathering held during the 80^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the African Union Peace Fund and Football for Peace joined forces to launch a dynamic new partnership aimed at promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development across Africa through the transformative power of sport.

The high-level side event, convened on 25 September 2025 at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, brought global leaders, athletes, diplomats, youth advocates, and development partners. Together, they explored the growing role of sports diplomacy in shaping resilient communities, preventing conflict, and fostering inclusive peacebuilding across the continent.

The occasion marked the official launch of a multi-year initiative that combines community-based programming, peace education, and diplomatic engagement, with the goal of scaling youth-led and sports-powered peacebuilding in Africa.

As the continent’s primary financial instrument supporting mediation and conflict prevention, the African Union Peace Fund is intensifying its focus on sustainable resource mobilization and strategic partnerships. The collaboration with Football for Peace, a London-based global organization with a proven model for impactful youth engagement through sport, reflects a bold and timely commitment to leveraging the unifying power of sport as a catalyst for peace, social cohesion, and inclusive development.

In his keynote address, H.E. Ambassador Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union, underscored the importance of innovation and multi-sector collaboration in advancing sustainable peace. He welcomed the initiative as a model of partnership that aligns with Agenda 2063 and contributes to strengthening the UN-AU collaboration on peace and security.

Mrs. Dagmawit Moges, Director of the AU Peace Fund, at the African Union Commission reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to investing in Africa’s youth. She emphasized the need for innovative, inclusive and forward-looking approaches to peacebuilding that local actors and elevate young voices as drivers of change.

Kash Siddiqi, co-founder of Football for Peace and a former professional footballer, emphasized the organization’s mission to use sport as a tool for grassroots change and international diplomacy. He co-moderated the discussion alongside Dean Shannon Hader, from the School of International Service at American University, highlighting the shared insights on collaborative, youth-led models for peace.

Other featured voices included Megan Mendoza, Senior Manager for Community Relations at the NFL; Robert Skinner, Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement at the United Nations; Oliver Alawuba, Managing Director of United Bank for Africa Group; and Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, a philanthropist and youth empowerment advocate.

A roadmap presented during the event outlined a series of joint activities beginning in early 2026. These will include national and regional peace tournaments, youth-led campaigns to promote tolerance and inclusion, and community-based programs that use sport as a platform to prevent violence and foster social cohesion.

The African Union Peace Fund and Football for Peace jointly called upon governments, development partners, and the private sector to support this bold initiative. The collaboration stands as a compelling model for multi-stakeholder action with the potential to accelerate progress toward a peaceful, resilient, and inclusive Africa.

The event concluded with a collective pledge to continue harnessing the power of sport to champion peace, uplift communities, and build a prosperous future for all Africans.

About the African Union Peace Fund

The AU Peace Fund was established to provide predictable, adequate, and sustainable financing for peace-related initiatives across Africa. The Fund prioritizes conflict prevention through mediation, early warning, preventive diplomacy and capacity-building, in line with the African Union’s vision for a peaceful and prosperous Africa.

About Football for Peace

Football for Peace is a global sports diplomacy foundation, which is advancing international relations by leveraging the soft power of football and American football to tackle global issues that contribute to division. It collaborates with governments, businesses, and sporting institutions to implement youth empowerment programs, and water security projects in peace-building efforts worldwide.

For media inquiries and further information, kindly contact:

Mr. Mikaïla Issa| Communication Expert l African Union Peace Fund Secretariat l African Union Commission | Tel. +251 988558335 | E-mail: AbramaneM@africanunion.org

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate; AU Commission Tel: 0911-630631; Email: molalett@africanunion.org

Football for Peace: Mrs. Sara Vite | Partnerships and Communications Liaison | E-mail: s.vite@ffpglobal.org     | Tel. +44 7428 588770