More than two years have passed since the last African Union-European Union Summit in Abidjan. Ahead of the next 6th AU-EU Summit that will take place at the end of October 2020 in Brussels, it is now time to take stock of progress so far and to identify the key challenges for the future.
The new “geopolitical” European Commission of Ursula von der Leyen and the new President of the European Council Charles Michel, during recent visits to the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa emphasized the importance of a new “partnership of equals” based on respect, optimism and confidence. Also, African leaders repeatedly expressed the need to work towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial political partnership beyond the asymmetric donor-recipient relationship of the past. The quest for a mutually reinforcing partnership is occurring within the context of growing momentum on the AU reform and integration agenda. The reform of the African Union Commission, the adoption of the AfCFTA and the momentum on the African Union passport are evidence of progress within Africa.
In order to contribute to a participatory, well-informed 6th EU-AU summit, The European Think Tanks Group (ETTG) and UNDP-Africa, in close cooperation with leading African think tanks, will organise a two days Agenda setting seminar in Addis Ababa on 9-10 March. The participants of this event is a select and mixed group of some 25-30 “change-makers” of leading think tanks and research organisations in both continents. They were invited to bring a strategic “helicopter perspective” to the table and to contribute in frank and interactive discussions to defining an attractive, concrete and policy relevant agenda.
The event aims to identify and discuss possible convergence and divergence between Europe and Africa in key areas of the partnership. This should contribute to an open and well-informed Summit preparatory process with fresh ideas on how to build bridges between European and African perspectives and agendas.
The discussions will revolve around 5 key areas of mutual importance for the current EU-Africa Partnership:
- Sustainable Economic Transformation, Trade and Inclusive Growth
- Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Management
- Migration and Mobility
- Governance, Peace & Security
Image courtesy of pedrik via Flicker.
