UNESCO Convenes Preparatory Meeting for Central African Culture of Peace Forum
National Commissions mobilise ahead of major regional peace conference in Bujumbura
August 24th, 2026
The UNESCO Regional Office for Central Africa organised an online preparatory meeting on 9 July 2026, bringing together the Secretaries General of the National Commissions for UNESCO. This session aimed to coordinate efforts ahead of the upcoming Bujumbura Forum, scheduled for September 2026, which focuses on strengthening the culture of peace and regional cohesion across Central Africa and the Great Lakes Region.
During the session, delegates analysed key orientations for the forum, designed to serve as a platform for joint dialogue on security, social, and humanitarian challenges. Participants addressed severe subregional crises, including resource-linked conflicts, maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and cross-border insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin. Highlighting these interconnected struggles, the presentation noted that forced displacement currently affects nearly 10.4 million people in the subregion
To counter these challenges, the Bujumbura Forum will draw on UNESCO's interdisciplinary expertise across key areas. It establishes a comprehensive framework integrating four strategic pillars: peace education, sciences, culture, and communication and information. By utilising these educational and cultural resources, the initiative leverages cultural diplomacy to combat hate speech, foster reconciliation, and promote active citizenship. This cooperative approach demonstrates how inter-institutional coordination can lay the foundations for more durable international relations across the African continent
Ultimately, the September event is expected to result in the adoption of a shared regional approach, a clear roadmap for promoting peace, and a portfolio of strategic initiatives. Furthermore, the resolutions adopted in Bujumbura will constitute Central Africa's direct contribution to the upcoming Luanda Biennale. This step will elevate the subregion's voice and solutions to the highest continental level, creating a long-term framework for ongoing intercultural dialogue and community development
The preparatory process for the Bujumbura Forum underscores the critical role of multilateral partnerships in fostering a culture of peace. By bringing together diverse national commissions to address mutual security and social concerns, UNESCO demonstrates that collaborative diplomacy remains the most effective tool for regional stability. This initiative highlights how subregional cultural cooperation can successfully translate into lasting continental peace and international solidarity
