Secretary General, African Council of Religious Leaders, Religions for Peace International

Francis Sylvester Kuria Kagema serves as the secretary general of Religions for Peace International and its African affiliate, ACRL-RfP, guiding more than 90 interreligious councils globally. He is also the administrative chair of the international steering group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. With over two decades dedicated to interreligious peacebuilding, Dr. Kuria empowers youth and women at all levels through Kenya’s Women of Faith Network and Interfaith Youth Committee. His leadership at the African Council of Religious Leaders has instituted and strengthened numerous IRCs across Africa, creating the continent’s largest multireligious platform. He has been instrumental in combating radicalization and violent extremism, promoting women’s rights, and fostering intergenerational dialogues for peace. Dr. Kuria actively collaborates with various United Nations agencies on initiatives promoting peace, health, and human rights, demonstrating his commitment to partnering with the UN for tangible social change. His early career included roles in finance and emergency response.