The Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), in its capacity as the Executive Secretariat of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, and as Co-Chair of the African Union (AU) Network of Think Tanks for Peace (NeTTPeace), organized a hybrid workshop titled “Charting the Future of Peace Operations Post-Berlin Ministerial through an African Lens.” The workshop was held in partnership with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), as Vice-Chair of NeTT4Peace, with the support of the GIZ Office to the African Union.

The aforementioned workshop, conducted under the auspices of NeTT4Peace, was hosted at the African Union Commission as part of the preparatory process for the 5th Edition of the Aswan Forum, scheduled for 19-20 October 2025. The opening session featured remarks from H.E. Ambassador Seif Kandeel, Director General of CCCPA; H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS) and Co-Chair of NeTT4Peace; H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Gad, Ambassador of Egypt to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union; and Dr. Dawit Yohannes, Program Manager and Senior Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).

The workshop featured two key sessions: the first session evaluated the outcomes of the 2025 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference, held in Berlin, and the broader, ongoing review of peace operations. It also aimed to integrate African insights, focusing on how the continent’s experiences, priorities, and unique models can shape the future of peace operations. Moderated by H.E. Ambassador Seif Kandeel, the session featured distinguished speakers, including H.E. Jens Hanefeld, Ambassador of Germany to Ethiopia and Permanent Observer to the AU; Mr. Oliver Ulitch, Head of the Protection and Performance Pillar at the UN Department of Peace Operations; and Dr. Andrew Tchie, Senior Researcher at the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI).

The second session focused on the significance of strengthening the AU-UN partnership in peace operations—a key element of the ongoing review process. Moderated by Dr. Dawit Yohannes, it included H.E. Rebecca Otengo Amuge, Ambassador of Uganda to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU; H.E. Parfait Onanga Anyanga, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU); and Dr. Solomon Dersso, Founding Director of Amani Africa.

The workshop served as an important step in preparing for the 5th Edition of the Aswan Forum, reinforcing the importance of African ownership and leadership in shaping the future of peace operations.