African political leaders, African Union representatives and UN officials will discuss with Parliament’s President Antonio Tajani, other MEPs, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, and many other leading figures from the private sector and civic society, including Dr Denis Mukwege, Laureate of the 2014 Sakharov Prize about new responses to the challenges Africa is facing and how to deepen the partnership between the two continents.
EP President Antonio Tajani said: “This time our approach should be different: it should be a people-centred partnership of equals with a focus on youth and job creation. We should look at Africa through African eyes. Cooperation should not be only political and institutional, but fully involve economic actors and civil society”.
The dynamic demographic trend that will make Africa the youngest and most populous continent in the world with 2.5 billion inhabitants by 2050 poses challenges regarding economic growth and job creation, as well as for security, migration, climate change and political participation.
The conference brings together political leaders, policy makers and experts, who will discuss in three panels:
1 - Peace & Security and democracy, good governance and human rights
2 - Attracting investments for sustainable and inclusive development and growth
3 - Migration, youth and human development
Parliament voted on a resolution advocating a new EU-Africa strategy on 16 November.
In July, Parliament gave its green light to an EU investment plan tackling root causes of migration in Africa.
A press conference with EP President Antonio Tajani and other leaders is scheduled for 15.30h in the Anna Politkovskaya room (PHS 0A50) after the opening of the conference.
The detailed programme of the conference in the EP can be found on http://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/media/20171109RES87765/20171109RES87765.pdf
