UNESCO ICM and the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO hosted the 1st African Regional Martial Arts Congress in Nairobi, Kenya on October 23rd and 24th. The Congress consisted of five sessions, drawing martial arts experts, UNESCO and government officials from 13 African countries including Kenya.

 UNESCO ICM with the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (hereafter referred to as KNATCOM) hosted the 1st African Regional Martial Arts Congress (hereafter referred to as the “Congress”) in Nairobi, Kenya on the 23rd and 24th of October. This Congress consisted of five sessions to discuss the current status and challenges of African Martial Arts, how to build a network for African Martial Arts, etc. The Congress brought together martial arts experts, UNESCO and government officials from 13 African countries including Kenya.

The South Saharan region is a priority region for UNESCO and this Congress carries great significance in that it is part of the efforts to strengthen a culture of peace and reconciliation by facilitating cooperation between the developed and developing countries.

UNESCO ICM has worked together with KNATCOM before, including an MOU signed in 2017, and also plans to continually implement projects to propagate positive values through martial arts in the African region.