ASEC Virtual Format
Chair's Welcome
Invited guests and delegates,
It is with great pleasure that on behalf of GRV Global and the esteemed sponsors, I welcome you to the 2020 Africa Security Symposium (ASEC) taking place using an exciting ‘Virtual Event’ platform due to the ongoing COVID 19 situation. This is the second event in the series of merged symposia of the West and East African sub-regions, which is aimed at galvanising and promoting greater cross-border security cooperation and collaboration. The Symposium comes as the UN enters a peace and security milestone however, peaceful coexistence within Africa remains a signifi cant challenge. Hence, of the 13 UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, more than half are deployed in Africa trying to resolve conflict and enhance peace.
The Global Peace Index Report (2019) observes that tensions, conflicts and crises in Africa that emerged in the past decade remain mostly unresolved, and these challenges have pushed several African nations to be among the least peaceful countries in the world with regards to safety and security. As the socioeconomic and political challenges of conflict and violence stare Africa in the face, there is the need to develop a new conceptual understanding of peace and the causal factors that would enhance stability and security on the continent. Little wonder the ASEC2020 program was tailored to seek possible new approaches to the lingering complex security dilemma and to suggest probable long-term peace and security to the continent of Africa.
Looking at the topics for presentation and the calibre of speakers and participants, I do not doubt that by the end of the Symposium, a far-reaching new approach to enhance peace, security and stability in a challenging African environment would be proffered. We, therefore, seek your commitments to discuss the presentations fruitfully, engage in the panel schedules and participate in matchmaking meetings with industry stakeholders to advance the set objectives of the Symposium.
Finally, I thank GRV Global, sponsors, and participants, for giving me the honour to chair the Symposium and for coming together to examine the security issues in Africa. We hope that you will passionately enjoy this new exciting Virtual format this year.
Thank you and remain blessed.
MG Salihu Zaway Uba (Ret.)
Former Force Commander UNMIL
ASEC2020 Conference Chair