07/07/2026
Last week, the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) at the University of the Witwatersrand, in partnership with the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) and the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD), convened a timely and thought-provoking roundtable on "African Agency in a Shifting Global Order: African Priorities and the Reform of the Multilateral System."
Over two days, scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, international organisations, and students came together to tackle one of the defining questions of our time:
How can Africa move from being a rule-taker to becoming a rule-shaper in an increasingly complex and multipolar world?
The discussions explored critical issues including:
🌍 Africa's role in reforming the United Nations and the broader multilateral system.
🤝 The continent's strategic positioning amid intensifying geopolitical competition.
📈 Opportunities for Africa to strengthen its voice in global governance and international decision-making.
💡 Practical pathways to ensure African priorities help shape the future international order.
As global institutions face unprecedented pressure, conversations like these are more important than ever. They provide a platform for advancing African perspectives, strengthening collaboration across sectors, and developing actionable ideas that can inform policy, diplomacy, and future research.
The roundtable also laid important groundwork for the upcoming "Africa and the United Nations: Shifting Global Order, Multilateralism, and Reforms" conference, which will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in November 2026.
A sincere thank you to our distinguished speakers, partners, and participants for contributing to such rich and forward-looking discussions. The conversation continues as we work collectively towards a more inclusive, representative, and equitable global governance system—one in which African voices are not only heard but help shape the future.
