Joint Role in Convening the Conference
The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies (HORN) and the Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa jointly convened the Horn of Africa Security Dialogue 2026 to provide a high-level platform for policymakers, experts, and practitioners to engage with the most pressing questions of regional peace
and security in an era of dramatically declining international aid. Now in its sixth iteration as a joint convening, this two-day conference brought together government officials, regional organisation representatives, security and humanitarian practitioners, diplomats, researchers, and civil society actors from across the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.
Through this collaboration, the two institutions sought to promote informed dialogue grounded in credible research and regional expertise; strengthen cooperation among regional and international stakeholders; support the development of actionable policy recommendations to enhance regional stability; and contribute to collective efforts to address aid dependency, institutional reform, and the long-term sustainability of Africanled peace and security financing. Together, the convenors reaffirmed their commitment to fostering sustainable peace, strengthening regional institutions, and advancing security and development in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region.