By Roy Nkosi
The 7th African Union-European Union Summit opened in Luanda, Angola, with a strong message of unity, peace, and shared prosperity, marking a milestone in Africa-Europe relations.
The summit, themed Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism, brought together Heads of State and Government or their representatives from all 27 EU member states and 55 AU member states, including Malawis Vice President, Dr. Jane Ansah.
Delegates were welcomed with performances showcasing Angolan culture.
Opening the summit, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, João Lourenço, said November is a special month for the country as it celebrates its 50th year of independence and hosts the summit, which he described as a symbol of Africas growing role on the global stage.
The summit builds channels of dialogue and cooperation in areas such as peace, security, trade, investment, and climate change. Peace and security are critical factors that accelerate economic growth. This partnership allows us to reflect on our trajectory, mutual investment, and a shared future,” Lourenço said.In her remarks, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said Europe is committed to expanding Africa-Europe trade and investment through infrastructure development. She noted the Commission has set a target of €150 billion investment in Africa by 2027.
“Across the continent, we are building new infrastructure to connect Africa and Europe, creating a corridor for critical minerals to reach the global market. This partnership has helped local companies align with European standards and expand their export capacity, making global trade a driver of local growth, von der Leyen said.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the EU-Africa partnership as a central axis for a new multipolar world.
“This partnership offers an opportunity to rectify historical injustices and foster a fairer ecosystem. It is a cooperation between continents to address global challenges. It provides greater participation and influence for developing countries in global financial institutions, helps end crushing debt cycles, and increases the lending capacity of development banks,” Guterres said.
The two-day summit will discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in peace, security, governance, multilateralism, prosperity, and migration.
