Cairo: President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the African Union (AU) Champion for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, launched the fifth edition of the AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Awareness Week. This year's event will be held in Cairo from 17 to 23 November under the theme Rebuilding Lives After Conflict Through Restorative Justice.
According to State Information Service Egypt, El-Sisi highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by African states, including internal conflicts, terrorism, transnational crime, humanitarian crises, poverty, and deteriorating education systems. These issues are further complicated by climate change and the misuse of advanced technologies. El-Sisi also pointed out that global geopolitical polarization is worsening the continent's vulnerabilities and hindering efforts to advance the AU's Agenda 2063 for stability and prosperity.
Despite these challenges, El-Sisi emphasized Africa's vast potential, resources, and human capital, noting progress in leveraging these strengths to promote peace, security, and development. He called for stronger continental solidarity and more holistic approaches to conflict recovery, including the implementation of the AU's updated post-conflict policy, institutional strengthening, national ownership of solutions, capacity building, and expanded engagement of youth and women.
El-Sisi also stressed the importance of delivering justice for victims of conflict and highlighted the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, held in October, as part of Egypt's broader efforts to link peace, security, and development in reconstruction strategies. He praised the African Union Centre for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUC-PCRD) in Cairo for its work in supporting stabilization, capacity building, and public awareness in several African countries, expressing hope that its programs will continue to expand.
Furthermore, he commended the African Union Commission for its support of reconstruction and peacebuilding initiatives, reaffirming Egypt's commitment to working with African leaders, regional organizations, and international partners to advance the goals of Agenda 2063. Launched in 2021, the AU PCRD Awareness Week aims to increase public understanding of post-conflict needs and mobilize political and financial support for recovery efforts. Each edition brings together AU member states, regional bodies, civil society, and international partners for workshops, discussions, and high-level forums.
Headquartered in Cairo and inaugurated in 2021, the AUC-PCRD serves as the AU's lead institution for designing and implementing reconstruction programs. It focuses on capacity building, institutional rehabilitation, peacebuilding training, and supporting national recovery strategies. The AU appointed El-Sisi as its Champion for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development in 2019. Since then, Egypt has hosted multiple AU meetings on peace and security, offered technical training for African officials, and expanded cooperation with conflict-affected states, including the Aswan Forum, which remains Africa's first platform dedicated to addressing the peace-security-development nexus.