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This report seeks to captures the discussions and recommendations that emerged from the inaugural High Level Retreat of the AU Panel of the Wise. The first part assesses the state of peace and security in Africa, while part two provides an overview of current trends and challenges in preventing and resolving conflict on the continent. In part three, the report examines opportunities for peace and security in Africa, including progress achieved in the operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), democratization efforts on the continent, increased collaboration between the AU and RECs and the move towards African ownership to resolve the continent's challenges. Part four examines how to capitalize on existing potentials, such as mediation efforts by various African panels and councils of the wise, and provides recommendations for AU member states, the AU and RECs, the AU PW and other panels and councils of the wise. As the retreat aimed at and focused on strengthening relations between the AU PW and similar mechanisms on the continent, the establishment and operationalization of the Pan-Wise was a key aspect of the deliberations, as reflected in part five of the report.