High-Level #UNGA Side-Event on Cross-Border Peace Initiatives

Resilience and devolution:
The experience of Kenya and Ethiopia, and the Horn of Africa in the prevention of violent extremism and conflict

This high-level #UNGA side-event on cross border peace initiatives along the Kenya-Ethiopia Border is co-organized by the Permanent Representations of Ethiopia and Kenya to the United Nations alongside the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).

High-level speakers from Ethiopia, Kenya, IGAD, the UNOCT and UNDP will participate in the meeting.

Background

This cross-border initiative was partially a response to the evolving threat of violent extremism that has not only setting in motion a dramatic reversal of socioeconomic progress already made, but also threatens to stunt prospects of development for decades to come across many countries.

The policy of addressing and preventing violent extremism and conflict should include resilience building of individuals and local communities through education, capacity building programmes and improved livelihoods. In the Horn of Africa region, there are encouraging developments in strengthening neighborly relations and peace consolidation among countries in the region. This offers new possibilities to develop comprehensive regional approaches to prevent violent extremism and radicalization with an emphasis on the security and development nexus.

Objectives

The objective of the side event is to show case the innovative approaches of Kenya and Ethiopia cross-border programme at devolved levels to prevent radicalization and violent extremism and conflict; and to exchange experiences in the Horn of Africa and beyond. It will also present an opportunity to explore ways to advance the implementation of the Kenya-Ethiopia cross-border initiative and how the same could be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.

The event will take place on 1 October 2018 from 9 to 11 AM,  United Nation Headquarters, New York

Follow the event will be webcast live on UN Web TV (webtv.un.org)