Driving transformative change, and shaping the future of global peace, security, and sustainable development
On 20 October 2025 the Founder and Executive Director, Dr Vasu Gounden, participated in the 5th Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, held on 19-20 October 2025 in Aswan, Egypt. The theme of this year’s Forum was A World in flux: A Continent in motion: Navigating Africa’s progress amid global shifts.
Given the current global dynamics, especially as global governance and multilateral action undergo profound transformation, the Forum provided an opportunity for Africa to assert its leadership in navigating global shifts, forging equal partnerships, driving transformative change, and shaping the future of global peace, security, and sustainable development by spearheading tangible progress.
The Forum served as a vital and timely platform for Africa to engage in strategic discussions on the future of global cooperation and governance, identifying practical pathways to position Africa at the heart of its own peacebuilding and development strategies.
The Forum convened leaders from various sectors, including governments, regional and international organizations, regional economic communities and mechanisms (RECs/RMs), financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society. It also brought together opinion leaders, scholars, key experts, practitioners, and other stakeholders to explore innovative solutions and strategic planning aimed at addressing the continent’s most urgent peace, humanitarian, and development challenges, with a focus on empowering women and youth. The Forum facilitated dialogue to promote mutual understanding and bridge divides between global and regional stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and shared ownership of solutions. Additionally, it aimed to identify strategic partnerships both within Africa and with the global community, enhancing Africa’s role in reshaping global governance and driving inclusive growth. Efforts were also made to strengthen the integration and implementation of the peace-security-development (PSD) and humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus, building upon the priorities established since the Forum’s inception in 2019 and the successes achieved through the successive Aswan Conclusions under the Aswan Cycle concept. Finally, the Forum sought to devise innovative solutions and financing strategies that could unlock Africa’s potential for economic growth, sustainable peace, and development.
The expected outcome of the Forum is the “Aswan Conclusions on Sustainable Peace and Development.” This document will synthesize the key outcomes of extensive and strategic discussions. The Aswan Conclusions will be implemented through specific, measurable deliverables as part of the Aswan Cycle, in collaboration with the Forum’s partners.
