UN Special Adviser on Africa Ahunna Eziakonwa to Deliver Special Presentation at IFAL 2026

The 2026 International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership (IFAL) will take place on September 24 at the Marriott Marquis in New York, during the United Nations General Assembly week. The forum's theme is "The Global African Alliance: Reimagining Solidarity, Sovereignty & South–South Cooperation." This event is a flagship initiative of the African Leadership Magazine, bringing together leaders from Africa and the Caribbean to foster cooperation and investment.

H.E. Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, will deliver the special presentation at IFAL 2026. She was appointed to her current role by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in June 2026 and assumed office on August 1, 2026. Prior to this, she served as UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator, and Director of UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa.

Ms. Eziakonwa's presentation will open IFAL 2026's plenary segment, alongside contributions from Dr. John Panonetsa Mangudya, Chief Executive Officer of Zimbabwe's Mutapa Investment Fund, and Mr. Admassu Tadesse, Group President and Managing Director of the Trade and Development Bank Group. Her remarks are expected to address multilateral cooperation and Africa's strategic positioning within the evolving global order.

IFAL 2026 will feature a range of high-profile attendees, including heads of state, policymakers, investors, and private-sector leaders from Africa and the Caribbean. The forum aims to strengthen trans-regional cooperation, trade, and investment between these regions. This annual event is convened on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.

Ms. Eziakonwa has extensive experience in her role as UN Special Adviser on Africa, having previously served in senior assignments in Ethiopia, Uganda, Lesotho, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Her expertise will provide valuable insights into Africa's development and cooperation efforts.

The African Leadership Magazine, organizer of IFAL 2026, is a prominent publication that highlights African leadership and excellence. The magazine's events, including IFAL, bring together influential figures to discuss pressing issues and opportunities in Africa and the Caribbean.

Key points from IFAL 2026 include the participation of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Daniel Asiedu, who will join the forum to discuss global leadership and cooperation. The event promises to be a significant platform for advancing Afro-Caribbean alliance and global south cooperation.

Key points

• UN Special Adviser on Africa Ahunna Eziakonwa to deliver a special presentation at IFAL 2026.
• The forum's theme is "The Global African Alliance: Reimagining Solidarity, Sovereignty & South–South Cooperation."
• IFAL 2026 will feature high-profile attendees, including heads of state, policymakers, investors, and private-sector leaders from Africa and the Caribbean.