The 5th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC) returns next week on November 15-16 at the Makerere University auditorium under the theme “Bringing International Debates to Africa.” The two-day high-level academic public event organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) together with Makerere University will attract researchers from Uganda and the African
continent to discuss current geopolitical questions and trends.
Nils Wormer, the Director of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s regional program on security dialogue for East Africa, said that the conference aims at offering an interactive platform for dialogue and free exchange on contemporary, regional, and international debates to move global debates to an African stage.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is restructuring relationships between African governments and external partners, creating an opportunity for a hard reset and a re-prioritization of strategic
issues.” “The geopolitics panel on global health partnerships will seek to address this,” Wormer said. According to Wormer, this year’s conference will largely focus on key points like democracy
and freedom of speech as two of the biggest issues. “Today, the African region continues to face serious challenges that temper many countries’ ability to project power.” Relatively low economic recovery, civil wars, and climate change
“Those will be some of the debates to get solutions to address the challenges,” Wormer said. Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, despite a sharp economic decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many experts have identified Africa as the next big frontier – as a global economic and political force. Thus, it is unsurprising that many global powers have again turned their attention to the continent. The conference will address new challenges such as energy insecurity excavated by external factors such as the Russia-Ukraine Invasion among others. “Regional governments and publics have been increasingly forthright with their frustrations with foreign partners—criticizing vaccine nationalism, racism abroad, and the asymmetry of bilateral ties,” reads a document from the organizers.
Other organizers of the KGC include the UN Women, and the Embassy of France. It is inspired by the flagship event of the “Geopolitics of Nantes” in France. The conference will also feature cultural performances and an exhibition, plus training of journalists on how to report different topics.
