The African Transformer Institute (ATI) has announced that Diplomatic Conference 2.0 will take place in Abuja on July 9 and 10, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic capacity and promote multilateral cooperation.
Speaking at a press conference, the Director of ATI and Convener of the conference, Ambassador Augustine Igweshi, said the event would serve as a high-level diplomatic and multilateral engagement platform designed to advance strategic economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, bilateral relations and international cooperation for national development.
Themed “Advancing Multilateralism and International Cooperation through Strategic, Economic, and Cultural Diplomacy,” the conference is expected to bring together diplomats, ambassadors, high commissioners, international development partners, global business leaders and cultural ambassadors.
According to Igweshi, the conference is structured to move beyond dialogue by equipping participants with practical diplomatic skills through an integrated three-phase model. The model includes pre-conference capacity building, applied ambassadorial engagement, and post-conference institutional networking.
A key component of the programme is a mandatory one-month online certification course for delegates prior to the physical conference. The course, organisers said, is designed to provide participants with foundational knowledge to ensure informed and high-quality engagement during the event.
The conference will focus on five major tracks: high-level diplomatic and multilateral engagement, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, ambassadorial simulation exercises, and induction into the Diplomatic Assembly and the African Transformer Institute.
Igweshi noted that delegates would have opportunities to engage directly with senior diplomats and other key actors in international relations, providing avenues for mentorship and long-term networking. Participants will also be inducted into the Diplomatic Assembly, an ongoing platform intended to support continued diplomatic engagement and professional development.
Reflecting on the first edition of the conference, he said it recorded meaningful engagement, practical simulations and strong institutional participation, which informed the expansion of the second edition.
Registration for Diplomatic Conference 2.0 opened at the press briefing, with the organisers calling on governments, diplomatic missions, international organisations, development partners, academic institutions and private sector actors to collaborate and support the initiative.
Diplomatic Conference 2.0 is organised by the African Transformer Institute in collaboration with the Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD) and other partners.
Igweshi said the conference represents Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic capacity, building strategic partnerships and contributing actively to global governance.
