Seeking common ground in a world of rivalry: AKDN at the 2023 Paris Peace Forum

Paris, France, 10-11 November 2023 – In a world of increasing rivalry and conflict how do we seek common ground to care for our planet, to secure our digital space, to create more equality and peace for all? For its 6th edition, the Paris Peace Forum gathered under one roof, on 10-11 November, some of the most important actors in global governance to seek coordinated responses to these urgent challenges of our time.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is honoured and proud to be a founding partner of the Paris Peace Forum since its inception in 2018. This reflects His Highness the Aga Khan’s and AKDN’s longstanding and close relationship with the French Republic, founded on the shared values of peace, human development and pluralism. The Forum’s multi-actor approach and emphasis on partnership between governments, civil society and the private sector resonates strongly with AKDN’s decades-long approach to development.

This year’s theme “Seeking common ground in a world of rivalry” is particularly important. Three issues align with AKDN’s global priorities, especially in Asia, the Middle East and Africa: 1) protecting the planet and the people, 2) addressing inequalities and accelerating the SDGs, and 3) crafting peace and building a safer world.

A strategic partner this year alongside the European Commission, Microsoft and the Open Society Foundations, amongst others, AKDN was represented at the Forum by a delegation led by Prince Rahim Aga Khan and included experts from the Aga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat.