Ahead of the World Public Relations Forum, WPRF, 2026, the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management has confirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chief Host, while President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia will serve as Keynote Speaker at the landmark event scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria, from 15 to 21 November 2026.
The forum is being hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and is expected to bring together communication professionals and stakeholders from more than 126 countries.
Announcing the development from Portugal, Prof. Justin Green, President and CEO of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, described the acceptance of roles by the two African presidents as a strong signal that Africa is ready to host what he called the “biggest, brightest and boldest” global public relations gathering ever staged on the continent. He said their participation reflects growing international confidence in Africa’s leadership role in shaping the future of strategic communication.
Prof. Green also confirmed that Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, and Samuel Heath, Director of Communications at INTERPOL, will participate as speakers during the week-long event, further underscoring the forum’s global relevance and high-level appeal.
The 2026 edition of WPRF will be held under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.” According to Prof. Green, the theme aligns with the Global Alliance’s ongoing advocacy for Responsible Communication to be recognized as the 18th Sustainable Development Goal. Organisers say the Abuja forum will provide a major platform for discussions around ethical leadership, trust, inclusion, sustainability, innovation, and the role of communication in addressing misinformation and global division.
The World Public Relations Forum is widely regarded as one of the profession’s leading international gatherings, convening voices from government, academia, multilateral institutions, business, and the media to discuss the future of public relations and communication management. The Abuja edition is particularly significant because it coincides with the Silver Jubilee of the Global Alliance and will also be held alongside the 37th conference of the African Public Relations Association, further strengthening Africa’s central role in the global communication conversation.
Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, said the Institute is working closely with the African Public Relations Association and public relations bodies across the continent to ensure that Africa delivers an exceptional and memorable forum. He said Nigeria is determined to host a world-class event that will not only showcase African excellence but also influence global communication practice from an African perspective.
With Abuja set to welcome delegates from around the world, WPRF 2026 is expected to serve as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange, professional collaboration, policy dialogue, and cultural connection. For Africa, the event represents more than a conference; it is an opportunity to demonstrate the continent’s growing influence in global public relations, responsible leadership, and communication for development.
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