Former Liberian Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr. will deliver a special keynote address at the 2026 International Day of Peace conference. The virtual conference, organized by the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and its affiliated organizations, will discuss global conflicts and pathways to peace. The summit, themed "Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day," will convene virtually from Istanbul and Geneva.
Ambassador Kemayah has been listed among special guest speakers for the summit, including former heads of state, diplomats, and international figures. The conference aims to discuss ongoing conflicts and advance recommendations for negotiators, mediators, and parties involved in hostilities. The IHRC invitation highlights Kemayah's role in contributing to discussions on peace, stability, and international cooperation.
The former Liberian Foreign Minister will share the platform with prominent international figures, including former Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, former Mauritian President Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, and former Ecuadorian President Dr. Rosalia Arteaga Serrano. Other invited speakers include former Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister Rui Duarte de Barros and former Maldivian Foreign Minister Dounia Maumoon.
The summit's agenda focuses on the role of diplomacy, dialogue, and sustained investment in human rights in preventing conflict and promoting peaceful coexistence. The gathering comes at a time of armed conflicts, economic crises, and civil wars, emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
The conference will seek to develop recommendations for negotiators and mediators while encouraging parties to ongoing conflicts to pursue peaceful solutions rather than prolong hostilities. The summit is tied to the annual International Day of Peace, observed globally on September 21, with this year's theme emphasizing the role of individuals and communities in building peace through everyday actions, cooperation, and respect for human dignity.
The conference is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. New York time, with the opening welcome address to be delivered by IHRC World Chairman Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan. The summit will be moderated by Ms. Emaan Amjid Abbasi, while Ambassador Asra Khan will deliver the vote of thanks on behalf of the organizing bodies.
For Kemayah, the invitation places Liberia's former top diplomat among an international group of political and diplomatic figures discussing peace, conflict resolution, and the role of diplomacy in addressing global challenges. The summit provides a platform for world leaders, diplomats, government officials, and civil society representatives to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration.
Key points
- Former Liberian Foreign Minister Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr. will deliver a keynote address at the 2026 International Day of Peace conference.
- The virtual conference will discuss global conflicts and pathways to peace, with a focus on diplomacy, dialogue, and sustained investment in human rights.
- The summit will bring together former heads of state, diplomats, and international figures to advance recommendations for negotiators, mediators, and parties involved in hostilities.
