About Désiré Assogbavi

Désiré Assogbavi is a jurist, advocate and international development strategist with more than two decades of experience in policy analysis, diplomacy, high-level advocacy and strategic leadership across Africa and globally. His work spans international law, governance, human rights, peace and security, humanitarian policy and Africa’s engagement with the world.

Widely recognized for his expertise on African policies, politics and institutions, Désiré has worked extensively with the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the United Nations and international civil society organizations.

He currently serves as Advocacy Advisor for Africa at the Open Society Foundations. Previously, he was Senior Director of Advocacy and Strategic Relations for Africa at the ONE Campaign and UNFPA Representative to the African Union and UNECA. From 2017 to 2019, he led UNFPA’s Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, advancing work on population and development, youth, the demographic dividend, gender justice and the empowerment of women and girls within the frameworks of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

From 2009 to 2017, Désiré was the founding Head of Oxfam International’s Liaison Office to the African Union. Earlier, he served as Senior Policy Analyst at Oxfam GB and coordinated the Africa Team of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court in New York. He also briefly led Plan International’s Pan Africa Office.

In Togo, Désiré was elected by Parliament to serve on the National Human Rights Commission and the Inter-Ministerial Commission for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law. He also headed civic education programming at the Ministry of Communication and presented national radio programs reaching more than two million listeners.

Earlier in his career, he worked as a researcher with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines, contributing to four editions of the global Landmine Monitor Report. Since 2014, he has been a member of the Netherlands Government’s Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies.

Désiré has authored and presented more than 100 articles, papers and studies on African politics, international law, governance, human rights and humanitarian affairs. He also led the drafting team for the African Union Compendium, the first comprehensive reference manual on the AU.

He studied international law, administrative sciences, human rights and management in Togo, France, Canada and Austria. He works fluently in French and English.

About This Blog

This blog explores the policies, politics and institutions shaping Africa, as well as the continent’s place in a changing world. It offers analysis of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, national governments and the global institutions and geopolitical forces influencing Africa’s choices and future.

Its purpose is to make continental and global policy debates more accessible, encourage informed public engagement and promote accountability for translating political commitments into action. The blog addresses governance, international relations, human rights, peace and security, economic transformation and Africa’s role in reshaping the global order.

Disclaimer:

The views expressed on this blog are entirely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the positions of his current or former employers and should not be attributed to them.

Contact: Desire.Assogbavi@Assodesire.com  or Desire.Assogbavi@gmail.com

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireassogbavi

Blog: https://assodesire.com

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