Let me start by welcoming you all to Kigali.

I want to thank the organizers who made this conference possible, and each of you for coming here to share and contribute in all of this. This forum is not only timely, it is long overdue.

Africa’s future, particularly in matters of peace and security, cannot be outsourced. For far too long, our security has been treated as a burden to be managed by others, with minimal input from us, and often without the benefit of our context or consent. This approach has failed to deliver, both for Africa and for the world.

What begins here, is more than a conference.

It is a deliberate effort to change both the narrative and the substance, of how Africa engages with global security debates. Moving forward, we must participate not from the margins, but as a credible and capable partner.

To succeed, we have to focus on three critical pillars of action.

The first is ownership. We cannot complain about external interference, while at the same time creating the conditions that produce it. Sovereignty is not just about defending borders. It is about taking responsibility for our security, both as states, and collectively as a continent. Neglecting this duty, allows others to step in, leading to a loss of credibility and control.

We also need to strengthen our continental institutions, namely the African Union, and the Peace and Security Council within it, to handle our common security concerns.

The second pillar is the link between governance and security. When one is weak, the other is compromised. Without both, there can be no trust, and no meaningful progress. Security is not just about the absence of threats. Our job, as leaders, is to create an environment where people can live with dignity, enjoy their rights, and look to the future with hope and confidence.

The third pillar is cooperation. Even with the best domestic systems in place, no country today, can secure itself in isolation. None.

Borderless threats like pandemics, terrorism, and cybercrime evolve quickly, often faster than national responses. But cooperation must go beyond merely sharing information, or joining forces in an ad-hoc manner.  It must be strategic, intentional, and innovative.

The key to overcoming security challenges, lies in our ability to produce our own solutions.

The exhibition attached to this conference shows what is possible, when we invest in ourselves. Where we have capacity, we must scale it up. Where we lack it, this is the time and the place to build it and also cooperate.

The platform we are launching today, must help align political will with technical expertise, and national interests with continental priorities. Let us leave here not just informed, but more resolved to do more, and better. I wish you productive deliberations in the days ahead.

I thank you.