The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) launched a year-long celebration marking the 25th anniversary of their enduring and unique partnership, since the first Africa- Europe Summit on 3-4 April 2000 in Cairo, according to AU’s statement released on Tuesday.
The partnership underscores the powerful impact of two unions representing over 1.9 billion people and accounting for more than 40 percent of the UN’s membership, the statement said.
The Unions are set to hold their ministerial meeting on 21 May 2025, in Brussels, where over 80 AU and EU leaders will converge to promote a series of anniversary initiatives including joint outreach explaining the development of the partnership and concrete results and open dialogues on shared challenges.
The 25th anniversary will highlight the strategic alignment of the AU-EU partnership around the four central pillars of the Joint Vision for 2030 adopted by African and European leaders.
Their partnership focuses on fostering regional economic integration and sustainable growth, bringing together their people, regions, and organizations for common goals.
Human development remains at the core of the AU-EU partnership. Joint initiatives on migration and mobility, education, culture, exchange opportunities, social inclusion and humanitarian affairs, empower people, especially women and youth, to build prosperous and inclusive societies.
Representing more than 40 percent of the UN’s membership, the AU and EU are expected to be a formidable force for strong support for the multilateral system, with the UN Charter at its core, and for environmental sustainability.
The statement said both are working to increase the legitimacy and effectiveness of the multilateral system: cooperation within the G20, chaired by South Africa, driving global action to promote shared fundamental values and addressing climate change among others.
MG/abj/APA