European Union - African Union summit, 17-18 February 2022

Agenda highlights - The leaders of the EU and the African Union (AU) as well as of their respective member states meet for the sixth European Union - African Union summit in Brussels on 17 and 18 February 2022.

• Background brief

Ahead of the summit, EU leaders took part in an informal meeting of the members of the European Council on the state of play of the latest developments related to Russia and Ukraine.

• Informal meeting of the members of the European Council

The summit presents a unique opportunity to lay the foundations for a renewed and deeper AU-EU partnership with the highest political involvement and based on trust and a clear understanding of mutual interests. Leaders are expected to discuss how both continents can build greater prosperity. The aim is to launch an ambitious Africa-Europe Investment Package, taking into account global challenges such as climate change and the current health crisis. They should also be talking about tools and solutions to promote stability and security through a renewed peace and security architecture.

A series of thematic roundtables are also organised. The following topics are debated:

• growth financing
• health systems and vaccine production
• agriculture and sustainable development
• education, culture and vocational training, migration and mobility
• private sector support and economic integration
• peace, security and governance
• climate change and energy transition, digital and transport [connectivity and infrastructure]

EU and AU heads of state or government are participating in the roundtables, together with a selected group of external guests who are experts in their respective fields.

• List of roundtables

A joint declaration on a joint vision for 2030 is expected to be adopted by the participants.

Programme

17/02/2022 12:30 - Informal meeting of the members of the European Council

• 14:15 - Official welcome
• 14:45 - Opening ceremony
• 16:00 - Thematic roundtables - session 1
• 19:30 - Dinner for heads of state or government (external venue)

18/02/2022 09:15 - Side event: press statements on mRNA technology transfer

• 10:00 -Thematic roundtables - session 2
• 12:00 - Closing ceremony
• - (TTBC) Press conference
• - (TBC) National press conferences or statements

Background

Previous summit

The fifth African Union - European Union (AU-EU) summit was held on 29-30 November 2017 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

EU and African leaders adopted a joint declaration outlining common priorities for the EU-Africa partnership in four strategic areas:

• economic opportunities for youth
• peace and security
• mobility and migration
• cooperation on governance
• 5th African Union - EU Summit, 29-30 November 2017

Useful links

• EU-Africa relations (background information)
• On the path to a deeper and stronger partnership, living up to the European and African aspirations: Council adopts conclusions on Africa (press release, 30 June 2020)
• Africa and the EU (EEAS)
• Africa-EU Partnership (European Commission, DG International Partnerships)
• African Union website

Source by Unione europea