First convened in 2023, the annual International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) Conference has established itself as a platform for home-grown discussions on matters of international relations and diplomacy in Kenya and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. In just three years, the conference has evolved into a leading regional diplomatic gathering, bringing together policy makers, diplomats, scholars and youth to debate and discuss Africa’s role in the evolving global order.
The conference has built a reputation as a policy space where fresh and innovative ideas are translated into actionable strategies rooted in the idea of developing African solutions for African problems. Its relevance has particularly come into focus in today’s volatile geopolitical environment characterised by heightened power rivalries, economic uncertainty, and complex transnational threats. It is against this backdrop that the third annual IRSK Conference takes place.
From 1-3 October 2025, Nairobi will host the conference under the theme Enhancing COMESA’s Strategic Positioning and Resilience in the Evolving Global Order. The timing of this year’s conference is particularly important, as it comes just a few days before the 24th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Nairobi, strategically positioning it to offer thought leadership, influence policy and build momentum ahead of the high-level summit. The conference will feature a range of targeted sessions, including panels, workshops, and interactive discussions bringing together, voices from formal diplomatic channels, the private sector, civil society, and academia.
The conference will engage pressing questions of integration, peace, and resilience. A special session, COMESA at 30, will reflect on the bloc’s three-decade journey towards regional integration. The discussions will evaluate progress and challenges in trade liberalisation and economic cooperation. It will also explore emerging opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and digital transformation to enhance connectivity and competitiveness. This is especially important as the global economy faces rising protectionism, rapid technological advances, and supply chain disruptions. These dynamics threaten to undermine Africa’s access to markets, but also strengthen the need to build better continental trade systems to enhance resilience through blocs like COMESA.
Recognising the strong link between peace and economic prosperity, the conference will also examine how persistent peace and security challenges continue to undermine integration efforts in Africa. The ongoing conflict in Sudan illustrates this reality: it has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, strained neighbouring states and disrupted trade and integration efforts. A panel of experts drawn from COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will examine the important role of regional economic bodies as peacemakers and how overlapping mandates and limited institutional capacity weaken their effectiveness. The discussions will also highlight how lack of coordination and effective integration within the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) undermines Africa’s collective response to conflict.
This year will also see the launch of the Women in Diplomacy and International Affairs initiative (AWIDA). This first-of-its-kind platform in Kenya seeks to highlight women’s contributions to the field of international relations while addressing the structural barriers that hinder their full participation. Building on the momentum of the first annual IRSK conference where a panel on Women in Diplomacy sparked debate and discussion about the status of women’s representation in government and international organisations, AWIDA aims to move beyond conversation and drive concrete action.
This year will also see the launch of the Women in Diplomacy and International Affairs initiative (AWIDA). This first-of-its-kind platform in Kenya seeks to highlight women’s contributions to the field of international relations while addressing the structural barriers that hinder their full participation
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Its launch also connects Kenya and the COMESA region to a growing global movement for gender equality in diplomacy, in line with commitments such as United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which affirms that inclusive leadership and participations is required for sustainable peace and development. AWIDA will launch structured and deliberate efforts to create opportunities for women to develop their skills, gain visibility, and take on leadership roles in diplomacy, recognising that diplomacy is most effective and legitimate when it is inclusive.
The IRSK Conference has also carved out a distinct space for intergenerational dialogue, providing youth with a unique opportunity to engage directly with seasoned experts. This commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders to drive Africa’s development agenda has already led to the successful launch of the Young Diplomats Fellowship (YDF), supported by Konrad Adenuer Stiftung (Kenya) and born out of the success of the 2024 IRSK Conference. During the conference youth delegates engaged the critical question of youth agency and voice in democracy and governance in Africa today. They highlighted how existing structural barriers, weak institutional frameworks, and a lack of practical skills and mentorship opportunities continue to marginalise young people. This year’s conference will also feature a youth led panel discussion targeted at policy makers, focusing on how to effectively mainstream youth in diplomacy and create a sustainable talent pipeline for the next generation of leaders.
The IRSK Conference has also carved out a distinct space for intergenerational dialogue, providing youth with a unique opportunity to engage directly with seasoned experts.
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Beyond the formal sessions, the conference is also designed to facilitate networking and interactive sessions. A dedicated networking session will provide an opportunity for seasoned diplomats, policy makers, scholars and youth delegates to interact in an informal setting. This is aimed at building a diplomatic network of seasoned professionals in the COMESA region.
As Nairobi prepares to host this important gathering, it is expected that diplomats, policy makers, scholars, the private sector, civil society groups, and the youth will share their knowledge and expertise in the upcoming conference. Their participation will be central to shaping discussions, influencing policy, and building lasting networks that strengthen COMESA’s role in the evolving global order.
Judy Njeri Mbugua is a Media and Communications Executive at IRSK and a Young Diplomat Fellow with the International Relations Society of Kenya and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (Kenya).
