Nairobi, 22 August – As global dynamics continue to shift rapidly, driven by technological advancements, geopolitical realignments, climate change, and economic disruptions, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) faces both unprecedented challenges and unique opportunities. In response, the annual IRSK Conference 2025 will convene from 1–3 October 2025, in Nairobi Kenya, offering a timely and interdisciplinary space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic foresight.
Jointly hosted by the COMESA, the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) – Kenya Office, the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) and Acacia Dialogue Center (ADC), this 3rd edition of the IRSK Annual Conference presents an exciting convergence of theory and practice in international relations and diplomacy.
Held under the theme, “Enhancing COMESA’s Strategic Positioning and Resilience in the Evolving Global Order”. The three-day conference will bring together key stakeholders, including diplomats, government officials, policymakers, scholars, business leaders, media, and civil society from the COMESA region and beyond. Through exciting blend of insightful keynotes, roundtable discussions, research presentations, book launches, workshops, and networking events, the conference will foster collaboration and facilitate knowledge sharing among participants, enabling meaningful contributions towards an empowered COMESA region, capable of navigating complex global challenges with confidence and cohesion.
We expect over 130 delegates from Kenya, Uganda, S.A, Ausralia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe among others. The participants will include a mix of high-level guests, seasoned experts and emerging voices in international relations and diplomacy, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences.
At the conference, participants will critically interrogate theoretical, conceptual and methodological approaches as well as instruments adopted to deal with the issues within the COMESA region and its 30 years of impact. These are to be embedded in elaborate, innovative and empirical examination in order to spur both rigorous academic and policy discourse.
The conference’s outcomes shall be converted into actionable strategies and policies that will help inform more effective diplomatic approaches to addressing some of the region’s most complex challenges.
Participants are invited to register for the IRSK Conference 2025 through our dedicated registration ticket portal: https://gig.co.ke/event/gev_1031/ticket. Early registration is encouraged to secure participation in this high-level event. In the lead-up to the conference, IRSK and its partners will collaborate with selected media outlets to ensure broad coverage and engagement. Participants are responsible for all their logistics including flights, accommodation and visa.
Media organisations interested in partnering or covering the event are encouraged to contact the conference press for further information.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Paidamwoyo Mudzimuirema. paidamwoyo@accord.org.za ACCORD
Ms. Claudia Masah cmasah@comesa.int Governance Peace and Security COMESA Secretariat
Click on the link below for more information.