Aga Khan Meets President Macron, AKDN Pledges €10 Million to Paris Peace Forum Endowment Fund

High-Level Meeting Precedes Paris Peace Forum

His Highness the Aga Khan, also known as Mawlana Hazar Imam, met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on October 28, 2025. The meeting took place just one day before the commencement of the 8th edition of the Paris Peace Forum, scheduled for October 29-30, 2025, at the Palais de Chaillot. This high-level discussion underscored the enduring partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and France, particularly in advancing global peace and development initiatives.

During his visit, His Highness the Aga Khan was also received by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. The discussions built upon previous engagements, including an official visit in July 2025, where agreements were signed to strengthen cooperation across various sectors such as education, culture, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

AKDN Commits €10 Million to New Endowment Fund

A significant outcome of the pre-Forum activities was the announcement by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) of a €10 million pledge to the newly established Endowment Fund of the Paris Peace Forum. This fund aims to create a stable financial reserve that will generate interest, providing reliable year-on-year funding to supplement existing donations. The objective is to ensure the Forum's long-term independence, stability, and capacity to impact global governance.

Justin Vaïsse, Director General of the Paris Peace Forum, described AKDN's commitment as 'a vote of confidence in the mission of the Forum and a crucial step for ensuring our independence, our stability and our impact for the decades to come.' His Highness the Aga Khan emphasized the importance of institutions like the Paris Peace Forum, stating, 'The challenges of our century require institutions that can sustain long-term, courageous work across borders and sectors.'

A Legacy of Partnership with the Paris Peace Forum

The AKDN has been a steadfast partner of the Paris Peace Forum since its inception. The Forum, initiated by President Emmanuel Macron in 2018 on the centenary of the World War I Armistice, was founded on the principle that international cooperation is essential for addressing global challenges and fostering lasting peace.

The Aga Khan Development Network is a founding member and strategic partner of the Forum, actively participating in its executive and governance bodies. The late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was initially solicited by President Macron to become a principal partner, a role seamlessly continued by his successor, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. This sustained engagement highlights AKDN's dedication to promoting pluralism, human development, and collaborative solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems.