Convened By
In Partnership With
West and Central African human rights actors are shaping the region’s priorities for the future of human rights.
Cotonou, Benin
The Reimagining the Future of Human Rights in Africa: West and Central Africa Convening seeks to provide a forward-looking regional platform for dialogue on the evolving human rights landscape in West and Central Africa. It will examine emerging governance, political, economic, environmental and technological challenges affecting the realization of human rights and identify innovative, African-led solutions that strengthen democratic governance, peace, justice and inclusive development.
The convening forms part of a broader continental initiative to develop a future-fit African Human Rights Architecture, ensuring that the perspectives, priorities and experiences of West and Central Africa inform the continental dialogue on the future of human rights governance in Africa. It supports the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063, the implementation priorities of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) Strategic Plan 2026-2028, and the United Nations' commitment to advancing human rights, conflict prevention, sustainable development and accountable governance across Africa.
The convening will also inform the strategic thinking and priorities of the recently established Regional Hub for Central and West Africa of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, based in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
A strategic platform to reflect on the changing human rights landscape and identify emerging risks and opportunities.
Regionally grounded, future-oriented responses to safeguard and advance human rights gains.
Contributing West and Central African priorities to the Roadmap for a Future-Fit African Human Rights Architecture.
The convening will be organized around four interrelated thematic areas reflecting key current and emerging human rights issues in the region while contributing to the broader continental dialogue on the future of human rights governance in Africa.
How governance systems can better respond to citizens' aspirations for accountable leadership, participation, justice and inclusion — from democratic legitimacy beyond elections to digital rights and the protection of civic space.
The interrelationship between peace, security, good governance and human rights in contexts affected by armed conflict, violent extremism and humanitarian crises — prevention, early warning, transitional justice and the protection of vulnerable populations.
The relationship between economic governance and the realization of human rights — inclusive development, business and human rights, environmental justice, climate resilience, and the governance of natural resources and extractive industries, including critical ecosystems such as the Congo Basin.
How regional institutions — AU human rights organs, Regional Economic Communities, National Human Rights Institutions, civil society, academia and the private sector — can strengthen Africa's human rights architecture and develop African-led responses to emerging challenges.
A preliminary outline of the convening.
Click here for the full agendaSpeaker lineup to be announced.
The West and Central Africa Regional Convening will take place in Cotonou, Benin, from 10 to 12 November 2026. The specific venue will be confirmed by the co-conveners and partners.
Key documents and materials for the convening. More resources will be added as they become available.