By Ajong Mbapndah L
The Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC) will convene a high-level international forum on June 11, 2026, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, legal experts, business leaders, and civil society voices to examine some of the most pressing geopolitical and economic challenges facing the world today.
The forum, which forms part of the annual Rainbow PUSH Coalition Conference, will focus on “Addressing Critical International Issues and Evaluating U.S. Foreign Policy,” providing a platform for dialogue on global conflicts, international trade, migration policies, and their implications for economic development and international cooperation.
Scheduled to take place at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the event comes at a time of heightened global uncertainty marked by armed conflicts, shifting trade policies, evolving diplomatic alliances, and growing concerns about international mobility and economic stability.
Among the key issues slated for discussion are the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, and Sudan, regions that continue to grapple with instability, humanitarian crises, and complex political transitions. Participants will also examine the implications of U.S. visa restrictions and travel policies, the longstanding U.S. embargo on Cuba, trade tariffs, the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and the potential global economic repercussions of tensions involving Iran.
The distinguished gathering will be hosted by Yusef Jackson, President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, while Congressman Jonathan Jackson, representing Illinois’ 1st Congressional District, is expected to deliver special remarks during the event.
Delivering the keynote address will be H.E. Jean Bosco Barege, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to the United States. Ambassador Barege is expected to offer insights on the role of diplomacy, international cooperation, and Africa-U.S. relations amid rapidly evolving global dynamics.
The forum will also feature a distinguished panel of experts and public officials, including Hon. Lionel Jean Baptiste, Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois; Mrs. Marcia L. Dyson, Global Strategist and Communications Executive with the Women’s Global Institute Trade Bureau; and Hon. Diego Angulo Martinez, Consul General of the Republic of Colombia. Together, the panelists will engage in a moderated discussion and audience question-and-answer session exploring the intersections of governance, trade, human rights, diplomacy, and economic development.
The event is being convened and moderated by Dr. Olivier Kamanzi, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Africa Global Chamber of Commerce, who has consistently championed stronger international partnerships and expanded economic engagement between Africa and global markets.
Organizers say the forum aims to foster informed dialogue on how global political developments and foreign policy decisions affect international business, investment, trade opportunities, and the broader pursuit of peace and stability.
As governments, businesses, and communities navigate an increasingly interconnected world, the discussions are expected to provide valuable perspectives on how policymakers and stakeholders can respond to emerging challenges while strengthening international cooperation.
The forum is open to the public, with registration available through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Conference platform.
The event is expected to attract a diverse audience of business leaders, diplomats, academics, community advocates, students, and policymakers interested in the future of international relations and global economic engagement.
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters, Chicago
Theme: Addressing Critical International Issues and Evaluating U.S. Foreign Policy
