the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, participated in the opening session of the 5th Edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The Forum is held under the theme: A World in Flux, A Continent in Motion: Navigating Africa’s Progress Amid Global Challenges. It takes place in Aswan, Egypt, from 19 to 20 October 2025 as a dialogue forum that explores measures and possible solutions to the challenges facing the global order, especially the peace and security situation in Africa.
The opening session, entitled “Navigating the Crossroads: Restoring Trust in the Rules-Based International Order”, brought together a distinguished gathering of high-level leaders and strategic partners, to deliberate on Africa’s pivotal role in shaping a fairer and more inclusive global order. In her remarks, the Deputy Chairperson reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to revitalizing multilateralism, its centrality and advancing Africa’s strategic priorities on the international stage. She underscored the continent’s call for a just, equitable, and impartial global system that upholds international law as well as universal human rights and international humanitarian law.
The Deputy Chairperson highlighted that peace and security, and development are interdependent and indivisible. She further emphasized that sustainable development must be co-owned and co-created through inclusive partnerships. The Deputy Chairperson reiterated Africa’s readiness to engage constructively with all partners to reinforce continental peace, security, and prosperity since international peace and security is indivisible.
The opening session featured eminent participants including H.E. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt; H.E. Tété António, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola and Chair of the African Union Executive Council; H.E. Bankole Adoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; and H.E. Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union.
During the opening session, a recorded video statements from H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations were delivered to the distinguished participants of the Forum.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Salaheddine TIAR | Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chairperson | Cabinet of the Deputy Chairperson (CDCP) African Union Commission | E-mail: TiarS@africanunion.org.
