ACCORD attended the Challenges Annual Forum 2025 (CAF25), held from 14–15 October 2025 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana, under the theme “Adapt and Advance: Renewing the Impact of Peace Operations.” The Forum brought together representatives from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), regional organisations, research institutions, civil society and policy practitioners, to examine the evolving landscape of peace operations and identify pathways to strengthen their effectiveness and resilience.
Discussions focused on the urgent need for bold, practical adaptation of peace operations in response to growing geopolitical tensions, deepening polarisation, and the UN’s ongoing liquidity challenges. Participants reflected on how peace operations can remain fit for purpose amidst shifting conflict dynamics, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel, and how to better align political, operational and structural reforms to advance sustainable peace.
Through three Innovation Labs, CAF25 explored strategies to strengthen the role of regional organisations in addressing armed conflict and instability; integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation into peace operations and peacebuilding; and leverage emerging technologies to enhance operational effectiveness.
As part of the Innovation Lab on Climate, Peace and Security, ACCORD shared insights on building climate resilience within peace operations, drawing from the roundtable discussion on the impact of climate change on peace operations. The discussion underscored the importance of mainstreaming climate considerations into peacebuilding and peace operations to prevent climate-related conflicts, promote sustainable livelihoods and ensure long-term stability in fragile contexts.
ACCORD’s participation in CAF25 aligns with its strategic objective to contribute to evidence based analysis, policy support and knowledge to respond to complex conflicts.
