Abu Dhabi Forum For Peace Chairs High-Level Talks With US And UK Officials On Africa Peace Initiatives

The Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace has convened a high-level consultative meeting at the United States Department of State headquarters, gathering officials from the United States and the United Kingdom with international religious and intellectual figures, to examine coordinated strategies for supporting stability, reconciliation, and sustainable peacebuilding across the African continent.

During the discussions, participants focused on moving from short-term crisis responses towards long-range investment in peace, seeking to connect community reconciliation efforts with sustainable development programmes, build trust between local groups, and back African-led initiatives that counter hate speech, extremism, and the sources that drive violence in affected societies.

The gathering formed part of broader international efforts to reinforce stability in Africa and reflects the role of the United Arab Emirates, through institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, in promoting dialogue-based solutions and strengthening diplomatic and intellectual partnerships that rest on shared human values and collective responsibility.

The Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace delegation was led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, who engaged with senior United States and United Kingdom representatives. The meeting brought together diplomatic, religious, and community perspectives, aiming to align them within a single framework that supports reconciliation processes and helps build peace that is sensitive to Africa’s diverse cultures and contexts.

The United States side included Riley Barnes, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and Mark Walker, Principal Advisor on Global Religious Freedom at the Department of State. The United Kingdom was represented by David Smith, Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, alongside Justin Welby, former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Baron Rook.

At the opening of the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah thanked the United States Department of State for the invitation and reception, and highlighted the strong friendship and strategic partnerships linking the United Arab Emirates with both the United States and the United Kingdom, noting that all three states view peace and stability as ethical and strategic foundations for protecting dignity and supporting global prosperity.

Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace and comprehensive peacebuilding approach

Participants examined ways to upgrade practical coordination and institutional integration for peace efforts in Africa, advocating a comprehensive approach that combines diplomatic engagement, religious leadership, and community-level initiatives, while respecting local traditions, understanding specific national environments, and empowering religious, civil, and youth leaders to play constructive roles in reconciliation processes.

The meeting also reviewed several leading African peacebuilding experiences and current initiatives, stressing that lasting impact depends on long-term international partnerships built on shared responsibility and complementary roles between global institutions and African actors, with a focus on supporting authentic local processes rather than imposing external templates for reconciliation or development programmes.

Before closing, attendees agreed on the need for regular structured dialogue between the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, United States and United Kingdom officials, and African partners, and called for clear, implementable coordination mechanisms that can enhance the effectiveness of joint initiatives, reinforce stability, and contribute to a safer and more peaceful future for communities across the African continent.

With inputs from WAM