-Tope Ibitola (Sugarito)
23 Sept, 2026.
The Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement convened a high-level policy dialogue on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York, bringing together prominent African and international voices to examine Africa’s priorities and expectations for the future of global multilateralism.
The dialogue, held on 19 September 2026 at the Westin Times Square, New York, focused on the theme, “Africa’s Expectations of the New UN Secretary-General.”
The high-level gathering featured former heads of state, senior United Nations and African Union officials, diplomats, scholars, development practitioners, and peace and governance experts who shared perspectives on Africa’s role in a changing international order.
Among those who participated were former President of Botswana, H.E. Dr Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi; United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, H.E. Amina J. Mohammed; Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti; and Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Ambassador Selma Haddadi.
Other distinguished participants included Dr Monde Muyangwa, former Assistant Administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Africa; Professor Ebenezer Obadare, Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations; Pa Bakary Sonko, African Youth Ambassador for Peace for West Africa; and Ambassador Michelle Ndiaye, Director of the Transformative Peace Programme for Africa at the Open Society Foundations.
The dialogue also featured key members of the Amandla Institute leadership, including Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Governing Board; Dr Kayode Fayemi, Co-Founder; and Prof. Adebayo O. Olukoshi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute.
Discussions at the high-level forum examined Africa’s expectations of the United Nations leadership, the continent’s priorities within the multilateral system, and the need for stronger attention to issues of development, peace and security, governance, representation and Africa’s voice in global decision-making.
The gathering provided a platform for policymakers, diplomats, academics, civil society actors and development experts to exchange perspectives on how the United Nations can respond more effectively to Africa’s evolving priorities.
Through the dialogue, the Amandla Institute reinforced its role as a platform for policy conversation and leadership advancement, bringing African perspectives into important global conversations taking place around the United Nations General Assembly.
The event formed part of the Institute’s engagement at UNGA 81, providing an avenue for African voices and perspectives to contribute to discussions on the future of global multilateralism.
#AmandlaInstitute #UNGA81 #AfricaAtUNGA
