Nairobi: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will convene a High-Level Forum of the IGAD Council of Eminent Persons (ICEP) focused on advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in the region. The Forum is scheduled to take place from July 24-25, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, organized by IGAD's Gender Department and supported by the Government of Japan.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Forum will build on the successful induction of the Council in May 2024, gathering respected women political leaders, experienced mediators, and influential personalities from various sectors including sports and culture. The IGAD Council of Eminent Persons, established as part of IGAD's ongoing institutional reforms, serves as an advisory body with distinguished figures from governance, religion, education, the arts, and athletics.
The Council aims to expand the scope of peacebuilding by uniting traditional and non-traditional peace actors on a single platform, supporting IGAD's regional mandate to address conflict, displacement, and social fragmentation. 'The power of peace lies not only in political agreements but in the hearts, voices, and creativity of our people,' stated Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary. 'This Forum celebrates a new era of inclusive peace leadership-where stateswomen, artists, and athletes stand side-by-side as agents of change.'
The Forum will explore innovative approaches to conflict resolution, knowledge-sharing, and the integration of culturally relevant peace narratives. It will also serve as a platform to validate the ICEP's Short- and Long-Term Strategic Plan, aligning the Council's work with IGAD's broader peace and development agenda.