(Cairo, Egypt – April 30, 2025) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt, the Government of Japan, and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) today signed a new project to advance peacebuilding and peacekeeping across Africa. The project, titled "Strengthening African Institutions to Respond to the Evolving Conflict Dynamics and Security Threats on the African Continent," was signed by H.E. Ambassador Hamdy Shaaban, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration of Egypt; Mr. Suzuki Yusuki, Counsellor, Japan MFA; Alessandro Fracassetti, UNDP Egypt Resident Representative; and H.E. Ambassador Seif Kandeel, Director General of CCCPA.

This project aims to enhance African capacities to address the continent's intricate security challenges and bolster regional peace support operations. Amid diverse transnational security issues and climate-related stressors, African nations confront a wide array of interconnected threats that undermine both peace and developmental prospects. The project is aligned with the objectives of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2719, focusing on operationalizing African peace support frameworks. CCCPA’s role as the Secretariat of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development will be pivotal in shaping policy debates and enhancing training for peacekeepers throughout the region to address both traditional and emerging security threats.

At the signature, H.E. Ambassador Hamdy Shaaban, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration of Egypt said, “The project reflects a strategic and timely response to the complex security challenges that continue to affect peace, stability, and development across Africa. These challenges are multidimensional rooted in climate change, armed violence, displacement, and institutional fragility and demand equally multidimensional solutions. He added, “I thank the Government of Japan for its generous support and continued commitment to building peace and resilience in Africa and UNDP for its critical role in supporting this initiative.”

From his side, Mr. Suzuki Yusuki, Counsellor, Japan MFA, said, “This project reflects our ongoing commitment to building Africa’s capacities in peace and security through peacekeeper training and shaping future policy discussions. Japan is dedicated to supporting Africa’s conflict prevention efforts by addressing its root causes. We emphasize the central role of women and youth in creating peaceful, sustainable and resilient societies, and strongly support the efforts of UNDP and CCCPA to enhance Africa’s capacity in this area, particularly focusing on youth.”

From his side, UNDP Egypt Resident Representative Alessandro Fracassetti said, "Africa’s peace and security landscape is evolving, and we must adapt with urgency and purpose. This project underscores our ongoing commitment to supporting CCCPA’s capacity-building activities, which benefit numerous African countries where UNDP is also actively engaged. Our longstanding partnership with CCCPA and the Government of Japan is pivotal in enhancing national and regional capacities through innovative training and policy dialogue." He added, “We remain dedicated to advancing critical agendas such as Women, Peace and Security, climate security, and post-conflict reconstruction.”

H.E. Ambassador Seif Kandeel, Director General of CCCPA, stated, “Today’s signing ceremony represents a significant building block in the enduring partnership between CCCPA and the Government of Japan, which has significantly shaped our legacy in promoting global peace and security. For over 15 years, Japan has been a key partner in our efforts to advance conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa, helping train more than 20,000 Egyptian peacekeepers.”He added, “This collaboration with Japan and UNDP enhances our collective response to emerging security challenges and highlights the importance of integrating gender and youth perspectives in peace operations to effectively navigate today’s security landscape.”

UNDP’s partnership with CCCPA is a cornerstone of its commitment to strengthening African-led responses to peace and security challenges. Since 2008, UNDP and CCCPA have worked closely to build national and regional capacities through cutting-edge training, policy dialogue, and South-South cooperation. Together, we have advanced critical agendas such as Women, Peace and Security (WPS), climate security, and post-conflict reconstruction. CCCPA’s role as the Secretariat of the Aswan Forum has further enabled the partnership to shape regional discourse on peace operations and sustainable development.

The partnership between UNDP and Japan continues to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to addressing global challenges. In Egypt, the collaboration has been instrumental in crisis response, energy transformation, and conflict resolution. With a focus on sustainability, both partners have championed renewable energy solutions, combating climate change, and promoting peace and security. Japan’s unwavering support exemplifies its commitment to fostering quality growth and human security, while solidifying the future of Africa's peace and stability.

For additional information, please contact:

UNDP | Fatma Elzahraa Yassin, UNDP Egypt, Communication Lead, fatma.yassin@undp.org