The Kofi Annan Peace & Security Forum 2021 edition
On December 8 and 9, 2021, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra and the Kofi Annan Foundation in Geneva hosted the second edition of the Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum (KAPS Forum). The two institutions came together based on their shared commitment to the values of the late Mr Kofi Annan, whose understanding of peace was founded on a holistic vision of societies based on good governance, democracy, and human rights, especially in Africa.
The KAPS Forum 2021 was funded by the Government of Norway, the Federal Government of Germany, and the Swedish Government. The Forum brought together over two hundred delegates including former African Heads of State and high-level diplomats from governmental and intergovernmental organizations, including Kofi Annan Foundation Chair of the Board Elhajd As Sy.
2021 Theme: Democracy in the Context of Complex Crises in West Africa
The KAPS Forum 2021, which was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, took place from 8 to 9 December 2021, at the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Centre in Accra, Ghana. The 2021 edition of the forum adopted a hybrid format and focused on the theme: ‘Democracy in the Context of Complex Crises in West Africa’.
Against the backdrop of the 20th Anniversary of the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and Ghana as the current Chair of ECOWAS, the 2021 KAPS Forum aimed at building political will to reaffirm the avowed commitment to democracy and credible elections.
|See the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance that was signed 20 years ago in December 2021|
The Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum 2021 covered the following topics:
- Constitutionalism;
- Ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections;
- The challenge of balancing democracy with countering violent extremism;
- The challenge of balancing democracy with pandemic management (e.g. Covid-19);
- Youth inclusion;
- Protecting electoral integrity in the digital age;
- The role and responsibilities of the international community.
The KAPS Forum contributed to the ongoing discussion on how to strengthen the role of democratic institutions in their function as gatekeepers in promoting and maintaining peace and stability. It provided a platform for participants to explore multi-pronged approaches to address the erosion of democratic values and good governance in the region.
Key outcomes of the 2021 KAPS Forum
Read our joint call to action following the conference. A conference report reflecting new ideas and knowledge as well as policy-relevant recommendations will be shared soon.
About the Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum
The Kofi Annan Peace and Security (KAPS) Forum was initiated in 2019 as an annual event to bring together political leaders, diplomats, scholars and experts to dialogue and take steps to address contemporary peace and security issues on the African continent. The KAPS Forum was established in honour of the memory of Kofi Annan for dedicating his working life to the cause of global peace and security
