LUANDA, Angola (Chatnewstv.com) — Leaders from the African Union and the European Union concluded their 7th Summit on Tuesday, issuing a joint declaration that commits both continents to significant investment in sustainable development, an accelerated response to global conflicts, and a renewed push for reform of international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council.
The two-day summit, co-chaired by Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and European Council President António Costa, marked the 25th anniversary of the strategic AU-EU partnership.
The declaration strongly reaffirmed the partnership’s resilience in the face of ongoing geopolitical challenges. “We recognize that the AU-EU Partnership has shown resilience in the face of past and present geopolitical challenges, reaffirming that our common future lies in closer cooperation and collective action for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Africa and Europe,” the leaders stated in the joint text.
A major focus was on financing climate goals and sustainable infrastructure. The leaders reiterated the need to mobilize $100 billion per year in climate finance for developing countries, a commitment originally made by developed nations. Furthermore, the declaration stressed the need for a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) of mobilizing at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 from a mix of public and private sources.
The EU’s flagship Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package was highlighted as a critical tool for development, leveraging public and private funds to spur infrastructure investments. The leaders also committed to strategic cooperation in the energy sector through the Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative, aiming to provide at least 100 million people in Africa with access to clean electricity by 2030.
On global security, the joint statement addressed multiple conflicts, reiterating support for lasting peace across the globe.
“We reiterate our unwavering support for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Sahel, Somalia, and in other wars and conflicts around the globe,” the declaration read.
The leaders specifically condemned atrocities in El-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian access. They also stressed the importance of full implementation of relevant UN resolutions concerning the conflict in the DRC.
Finally, the document focused on strengthening global governance, including a united stance on reforming international bodies. “We reiterate our call for a more representative, inclusive, transparent, and accountable UN Security Council,” the leaders stated, emphasizing the need for effective multilateralism based on international law.
The two unions also committed to deepening cooperation on migration, focusing on addressing root causes of irregular migration, enhancing border management, and combating human trafficking while strengthening legal pathways for students and researchers.
The two blocs agreed to convene for their 8th Summit in Brussels to chart future priorities and monitor the implementation of the new commitments.
