During the 2024 Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the African Development Bank and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This agreement aims to strengthen their existing collaboration and reaffirms their shared commitment to deepen understanding of fragility and insecurity drivers, as well as promote actions that prevent conflicts and build resilience in Africa.
Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Vice President of Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery at the African Development Bank, spoke about the partnership: “Our MoU with SIPRI reflects the Bank’s continued strong commitment to enhance its operational effectiveness in fragile settings. We aim to build resilience at scale on the continent and advance the prevention agenda through innovative partnerships across the humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus. This is in line with the Bank’s new Ten-Year Strategy as well as the Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa.”
The partnership between these two organizations aims to pursue several objectives over the next five years. These include research, data analysis, capacity development; policy and development effectiveness; along with partnerships and resource mobilization.
Dan Smith, Director of SIPRI said: “With this new MoU, we will be leveraging our respective expertise and resources to contribute to system-wide approaches to tackle the interconnected issues of fragility, conflict, and climate change.” He added: “By deepening the understanding of the drivers of conflict and insecurity, and the opportunities for sustainable peace, the partnership aims to enhance policies, programs and interventions that will benefit some of Africa's most vulnerable communities.”
Yero Baldeh, Director of Transition States Coordination Office at the African Development Bank stated: “With regards to specific outcomes expected throughout this MoU duration, these will be captured in an evolving Partnership Workplan guiding implementation. The partnership will strengthen knowledge base, build capacities, inform policy dialogues and mobilize resources."
The ceremony was prepared by designated partnership focal points from both organizations, including Sepideh Soltaninia, Head of the Director's Office & Partnerships Manager at SIPRI, Frederik Teufel, Lead Coordinator and Jerome Berndt, Principal Fragility and Resilience Officer, of the Transition States Coordination Office at the African Development Bank.
SIPRI was established in 1966 by the Swedish Parliament. It is an independent foundation with a vision to identify and understand sources of insecurity, prevent or resolve conflicts, and sustain peace. Its mission includes research on security, conflict and peace; providing policy analysis and recommendations; facilitating dialogue and building capacities; promoting transparency and accountability; as well as delivering authoritative information to global audiences.
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