Commemorating the 2025 World Interfaith Harmony Week and the Golden Rule Day in Addis Ababa

With the theme, “Faith Communities in Africa Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063, and Africa’s 2025 G20 Process.” COFP was invited to participate in a conference which took place in Addis Ababa, the headquarters of the African Union, from May 12 to 14, 2025 under the patronage of H.E. Taye Atske Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The purpose of the conference was to promote constructive dialogue among different faith and religious followers towards enhancing peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, human dignity, social justice, development, preservation of environment and cooperation for positive change among people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions in Africa by accelerating the SDGs, the AU’s Agenda 2063, and the G20 Process. Furthermore, this conference played an essential role in preparation for the G20 Interfaith Forum to be held in Cape Town, South Africa from August 10-14, 2025, and more generally, for the G20 Summit itself. Practical discussions and recommendations centered in particular on the AU’s engagement in finding holistic solutions for sustained global development and good global governance now that the AU has become a formal member of the G20 with responsibilities to represent the 55 member states of the AU in the G20 process.

During her presentation at the conference, Sr. Agatha emphasized that ‘faith communities are not just part of the society but often, its heart beating. They are known for setting the tone for moral and practical reflections which is why they have become an indispensable partner in realizing the G20’s broader objectives of inclusive growth, peace, resilience, and sustainable development, especially within the African context. Therefore, building true peace is to go beyond silencing guns. It is to right wrongs, heal wounds, and restore dignity. It means standing with the vulnerable, confronting systems of oppression, and nurturing a culture where every human life is valued’, said Sr. Agatha.