12th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa – Oran Process – Opens in Algiers

Algiers – The 12th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa – the Oran Process – opened today, Monday, at the Abdellatif Rahal International Conference Centre in Algiers.

The opening session was chaired by the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, H.E. Mr Ahmed Attaf, who conveyed the greetings and full support of the President of the Republic, H.E. Mr Abdelmadjid Tebboun. The President attaches the utmost importance to this process and is personally committed to ensuring its continuity and further strengthening.

This year’s edition enjoys broad and distinguished participation from foreign ministers of numerous African countries, as well as high-level African officials. The seminar brings together the Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ms Salima Bakhta Mansouri, members of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC), current, incoming and outgoing African members of the United Nations Security Council within the A3 mechanism, friends of the seminar, and representatives of the African Union Commission, the United Nations and other partners.

The 2025 session is particularly significant due to Algeria’s dual role: as an African member of the UN Security Council (A3), as a member of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), and as the host country and originator of the Oran Process.

The high-level seminar will assess the achievements of the A3 mechanism to date in fulfilling the mandate entrusted to it by the African Union, identify urgent challenges that require immediate attention, and explore the most effective ways and means to further strengthen the role of the A3.

It should be recalled that the High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa was established in 2013 on Algeria’s initiative and has since become an indispensable platform for discussion and reflection on peace and security issues across the continent, with the constant aim of enhancing joint African action.

Since its inaugural edition in December 2013, this annual event has served as a dedicated African space to improve coordination and cooperation between African members of the UN Security Council (A3) and members of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), thereby enabling Africa to speak with one voice in the Security Council and to effectively defend common African positions on peace and security issues.

In recognition of Algeria’s efforts to strengthen linkages between the A3 mechanism and the PSC, the 8th edition of the seminar, held in Oran from 2 to 4 December 2021, adopted a decision to institutionalise the forum under the name “Oran Process” and to designate the city of Oran as its permanent venue.

By way of exception, the 2025 edition is being hosted in the capital, Algiers, immediately following the International Conference on the Crimes of Colonialism in Africa.