This year’s Challenges Annual Forum (CAF23) gathered partners and key stakeholders to explore the key features of the important and strategic AU-UN partnership. The in-person event was held at the UNECA in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 26-27 October and was co-hosted by the Training for Peace Programme (TfP).

CAF23 engaged participants from across the globe to explore the role of regional security organisations in the maintenance of peace and security. Under the theme of Towards Stronger Global-Regional Peace & Security Partnerships, the CAF23 discussed and generated recommendations on how the UN can better support African-led peace operations that the UN Security Council mandates. 

This year’s theme is built on the UN Secretary-General’s report on financing AU peace support operations and his Policy Brief on the New Agenda for Peace. The CAF23 centered its discussions around three sub-themes, using concrete examples and lessons learned from recent African-led peace support operations.