MÖVENPICK HOTEL & RESIDENCE • NAIROBI • KENYA AFRICA SECURITY SYMPOSIUM • 17-18 MAY 2022
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ASEC2022 POST-EVENT REPORT PNYX was was particularly delighted to host the 9th Africa Security Symposium (ASEC2022) as our first in-person event in more than two years, taking place between the 16th – 18th May 2022. In our continued efforts to facilitate growing collaboration across the region, PNYX welcomed more than 300 participants from Government - including Ministries of Defence, Heads of Police, Heads of Armed Forces; UN agencies - MINURSO, MONUSCO, UNON, UNOAU, and International Organisations – the African Union, EASF Secretariat, IGAD, INTERPOL, SETAF-AF, CJTF-HOA and many more for a busy few days of high-level plenary sessions, keynote speeches, workshops, private afternoon 1-2-1 matchmaking meetings, and networking functions, to discuss lessons learned, current challenges and future priorities across the peace and stability spectrum on the African continent.
ASEC2022 Opening comments. Conference Chair, Amb. (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim
PRE-EVENT: MONDAY 16 MAY
ASEC2022 speakers & sponsors were invited to a series of workshops beginning with a USAID Funding Workshop presented virtually by Matthew Johnson, Industry Liaison & Communications Director of USAID – the U.S. Agency for International Development. Participants learned how to work with USAID, about the Agency’s operations, key terminology, tips for submitting proposals, and funding opportunities. This session was followed by a Defence Attaché’s Workshop welcoming Deputies and Defence Attache colleagues from across the African continent for presentations, an open discussion and Q&A. Delegates discussed lessons learned, current challenges, and future priorities across the peace and stability spectrum as well as private sector support, looking at available solutions and how they might be implemented. Concluding ASEC2022’s pre-event day, delegates were able to unwind, network, and discuss the two days ahead at our Evening Networking Reception, enjoying drinks and canapes poolside, at the Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Kijani Bar. The informal gathering also provided a prime opportunity for panelists to engage with their session Chairs ahead of the main two days of plenary conference sessions.
ASEC2022 Welcoming Address. Lt. Gen. Francis Ogolla
Chair, Amb. (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim, Former IGAD Executive Secretary and Former Permanent Secretary, Office of the President. Amb. Mahboub offered everyone a warm welcome, before remarking about the significance of dialogue and advancing new ways of collaborating and working together with different actors from public and private sector. Day 1 commenced with a Welcoming Address from Lieutenant General Francis Ogolla, Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) who spoke about security being fueled by various interests coming from state and non-state actors, further fueled by profit motives of the industry, and by key owners of the industry. This was followed by an Opening Keynote Address given by Amb. William Azumah Awinador-Kanyirige, Senior Adviser - Governance & Peacebuilding; Office of the Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace & Security at the African Union Commission (AUC). Amb. Awinador-Kanyirige emphasized the need to build resilience on the national, regional, and continent level and the importance of resilience and dignity amidst backdrop of climate change, covid, and terrorism. Amb. AwinadorKanyirige spoke about balancing lessons of convergence and divergence to move forward together and leave nobody behind. He closed his opening statement by mentioning the importance of cooperation and alignment between African Union and ASEC on key priorities and areas.
ASEC2022 DAY 1: TUESDAY 17 MAY
ASEC2022 delegates commenced day one with networking tea and coffee whilst remaining participants registered for their welcome packs, before heading into the Hall of Africa for the Opening Ceremony. PNYX’s Managing Director, Andrew Dowell, was thrilled to greet all participants to our first live in-person event in more than two years, welcoming familiar and new faces to the event. Andrew encouraged all delegates to continue the momentum built in previous years of ASEC; to tackle the key issues around peace, security, stability, governance, and conflict but also setting the foundations to create a long-lasting partnership among public and private sector leaders. Next to take to the stage was Conference
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