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  Title	AU–EU summit marks 25 years, deepens partnership on trade, climate, security
  ID	28428599
  External ID	7a74220620e60a823ac384f357c03c99
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  Published Date	Nov. 25, 2025, 6 p.m.
  Summary	We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), met on 24 – 25 November 2025 in Luanda under the Co-Chairmanship of H.E. Mr. João…
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  Content ID	36074847
  Key	284a7f68-5e3e-4914-9d2d-6fceccc65010
  Content	Luanda, 25 November 2025 At their 7th summit in Luanda, African and EU leaders marked 25 years of AU–EU partnership, reaffirming their Joint Vision for 2030 and backing Global Gateway investments in energy, transport, digital and green value chains, including AfCFTA implementation. They pledged closer cooperation on peace and security, climate finance, migration and multilateral reform, and set up new mechanisms to monitor delivery and engage youth, civil society and business. Meeting in Luanda under the co-chairmanship of Angolan President João Lourenço and European Council President António Costa, AU and EU leaders celebrated the 25th anniversary of their partnership and confirmed the Joint Vision for 2030 as the political backbone of relations. They framed the partnership as a strategic pillar for implementing AU Agenda 2063, EU priorities and the 2030 Agenda, and stressed resilience in the face of geopolitical shocks. Both sides reiterated support for international law, UN Charter principles, and a just peace in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, South Sudan, the DRC, the Sahel and Somalia. On the economic and climate track, leaders highlighted progress under the Global Gateway Africa–Europe Investment Package and confirmed the AU–EU Green Energy Initiative goal of providing clean electricity to at least 100 million people in Africa by 2030. They committed to accelerating AfCFTA implementation, developing sustainable value chains including in critical minerals, and maintaining structured dialogue on EU trade-related environmental measures such as CBAM and EUDR. Debt vulnerabilities, costly access to capital and international debt architecture reform feature prominently, alongside calls to scale up innovative finance, sustainable infrastructure, and digital transformation, including trusted AI and efforts to bridge the digital divide. In the peace, security and governance chapter, the summit reaffirmed support for African-led solutions via the African Peace and Security Architecture and AU Peace Support Operations, backed by predictable UN financing under UNSC Resolution 2719. The declaration underscores cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, cyber and hybrid threats, as well as disinformation. Leaders recommitted to democracy, rule of law, human rights, gender equality and the protection of vulnerable groups, and expressed concern about rising humanitarian needs, pledging support for the African Humanitarian Agency and disaster-preparedness mechanisms. On multilateralism and migration, both Unions called for a more representative UN Security Council, WTO reform, and major scaling-up of climate finance in line with the NCQG and loss-and-damage commitments. They underlined the role of African climate and biodiversity initiatives and backed a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. The summit also advances a 'reciprocal partnership' on migration and mobility, combining cooperation on irregular migration, return and reintegration with commitments to expand legal pathways, recognise qualifications, and harness the development role of the African diaspora and remittances. Implementation will be anchored in a reinforced joint monitoring architecture, a new permanent follow-up mechanism within AU–EU structures, and structured input from youth, civil society and business, ahead of the 8th summit in Brussels. E-Summary by ChatGPT, based on the Joint Declaration below. Joint Declaration of the 7th African Union – European Union Summit 2025, 24-25 November 2025 Luanda, 25 November 2025 We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), met on 24 – 25 November 2025 in Luanda under the Co-Chairmanship of H.E. Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, and H.E. Mr. António Costa, President of the European Council, with H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf Chairperson of the AU Commission and H.E Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, for our 7th Summit. This historical gathering marked the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU partnership since the inaugural Summit held in 2000, in Cairo. We recall the 6th EU-AU Summit held in Brussels on 17-18 February 2022, as well as the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting, held in Brussels on 21 May 2025. 1. We reaffirm our commitment to the Joint Vision for 2030 from the 6th EU-AU Summit and welcome the extensive progress on its implementation. We take note of the ongoing work on the draft Joint Monitoring Report. 2. We celebrate a unique and strategic partnership that has steadily deepened in scope, ambition, and political significance as reflected in the remarkably strong institutional, trade and investment and people-to-people ties between the two continents. Over the past quarter century, our partnership stands as a direct contribution to, and alignment with, the AU's Agenda 2063 and its successive Implementation Plans and the EU's strategic priorities, as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We reaffirm our support to Africa's development priorities and look forward to an ambitious post-Agenda 2030 framework. 3. 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. On the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU partnership, we look back with pride on our achievements, and we look forward to future cooperation based on mutual ambition for integrated, prosperous and peaceful continents for the wellbeing of our people. Looking ahead, we are determined to further advance our partnership and to unlock new opportunities. 4. We reaffirm our strong commitment to international order based on international law and effective multilateralism grounded in international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and its Purposes and Principles, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. We advocate for the reform of international institutions to collectively address global, regional and national challenges. We are committed to uphold the rules and principles of the Charter of the United Nations including those of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and political independence, these principles cannot be negotiated or compromised. In this context, we reiterate the obligation of all States to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force. 5. Guided by these rules and principles, 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. 6. We express deep concern about the situation in Sudan and reaffirm our support for an AU-IGAD-led, Sudanese-owned political process towards a unified and civilian transition. We condemn the atrocities committed in El-Fasher by the RSF following the recent seizure of the city and call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian access throughout the country. 7. Regarding the conflict in the DRC, we reaffirm our commitment to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2773 and other relevant UNSC Resolutions, the Washington Agreement, the Framework Agreement signed in Doha and the AU mandated mediation and support to the AU led mediation process. Shaping a Prosperous and Sustainable future for Africa and Europe 8. We welcome the significant progress in the implementation of the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package in areas of mutual interest, reflecting our shared commitment to inclusive sustainable development. Leveraging public and private funds to stimulate investments and improving the investment and business climate across our continents remain key and we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the transformative impact of these investments. Financial Institutions, in particular the European Investment Bank (EIB), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and public development banks, agencies and similar bodies from Member States, are strategic implementing partners under Global Gateway. We welcome the expansion of the operations of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) into new countries in East and West Africa this year. We also welcome the Pact for the Mediterranean, which provides a renewed framework for cooperation across the Common Mediterranean Space, encompassing North Africa, and which complements Team Europe's joint efforts under the Global Gateway. We recall that our cooperation also extends beyond the Global Gateway strategy, particularly in fragile contexts. 9. We commit to continue supporting all African countries to develop, industrialise, diversify exports, and integrate into regional markets. We agree on the need to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). We will promote the sustainable development of value chains to enhance the capacity of local industries to participate in regional and global markets and to diversify and secure global supply chains, for instance in the field of strategic and critical minerals. We will continue our support to regulatory changes to facilitate trade and investment, including through experience sharing. 10. In order to facilitate trade, we stress the importance of maintaining open, transparent, and inclusive channels of dialogue, including on trade-related environmental measures, such as CBAM and EUDR, and of fostering cooperation through capacity building and technical assistance to support African countries to decarbonize and sustainably manage natural resources. As we advance our efforts to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability, the EU and AU will tackle together challenges posed to African exporters in sustainably managing natural resources, including bio-diversity based exports. 11. We stress that increasing uncertainty in trade policies and tariff volatility in global trade poses a challenge for the world economy. In this context Europe – Africa trade relations remain a source of stability based on predictable frameworks and commitment to rules-based trade. We commit to continue working together to strengthen our political engagement on trade and economic cooperation including through the existing trade and investment agreements between the EU and some African countries as well as unilateral preference schemes to attract more investment and stimulate regional and continental integration to achieve sustainable growth and decent jobs, especially for younger generations. 12. We acknowledge fiscal efforts made by African countries to service their debt obligation and challenges of liquidity, recognising that high level of debt can be an obstacle to inclusive growth in many countries, and may limit their ability to invest in infrastructure, disaster resilience, healthcare, education and other development needs. We call for additional efforts to implement growth-enhancing reforms, with domestic resource mobilization at their core. We call for improvement in the reform of the international debt architecture to support more timely, transparent, effective, broader eligibility including middle-income countries and predictable debt restructuring mechanisms. In this regard, we welcome the progress made in the implementation of the G20 Common Framework and encourage further the G20 to continue strengthening the Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative. We also agreed on the need to further develop innovative financial instruments, and to reduce the high cost of capital for African countries. 13. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to continued partnership and mutually beneficial investment in energy, transport, and digital infrastructure aligned with the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), Agenda 2063 and the Global Gateway to ensure secure, trusted and reliable connectivity within and between Africa and Europe, including the implementation of the Lobito corridor. We recognise their critical role in enhancing connectivity, trade facilitation, and continental integration including under the AfCFTA framework. We will jointly work on the implementation of PIDA PAP II for enhanced collaboration in their future development. Beyond the twelve corridors it supports, the EU stands ready to support the development of a strong legal and institutional framework for corridor development, inspired by the Trans-European Transport Network, fully tailored to the specific needs, opportunities and dynamism of Africa's transport sector. 14. We commit to continue our strategic cooperation in the energy sector through the Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative providing at least 100 million people in Africa with access to clean electricity by 2030. Taking into account the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Power Systems Masterplan (CMP), and the African Energy Efficiency Strategy (AfEES), together, we will work towards advancing a fair, just, and sustainable clean energy transition, developing Africa's renewable potential for rural electrification, sustainable industrialisation and clean cooking. Through the Global Energy Transition Forum, the AU and the EU will maintain strong political momentum, foster strategic alignment, and mobilise public and private finance to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. 15. We recognise the immense potential of a secure and trusted digital transformation, supported by effective e-governance systems and digital skill development, for creating economic opportunities, boosting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, while stressing the urgency to bridge the digital divide. We welcome the AU Digital Transformation Strategy and the EU International Digital Strategy and support further cooperation. We further underline the importance of promoting digital literacy and ensuring online safety, in particular for women and children. We resolve to strengthen efforts on the development of regional innovation ecosystems, including on human-centric and trustworthy artificial intelligence that respects intellectual property rights. 16. We promote and support innovative and climate-resilient initiatives across all transport modes, including an accelerated deployment of sustainable aviation fuels, the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market, and sustainable transport systems that contribute to decarbonisation efforts, environmental protection, economic transformation and social inclusion. 17. We support the commitment towards sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems transformation, as stressed by the UN Food Security Systems Summit +4 held in Addis Ababa this year and anchored in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration, as strategic initiatives to accelerate progress across key dimensions of agricultural development including nutrition. We also reemphasize the work of the EU-AU Agriculture Ministerial Conference to foster the alignment of ambitions between CAADP and the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food. We share the view that agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture as well as food security, are fundamental common interests of Africa and Europe, representing key assets for prosperity and sustainability by contributing to growth and jobs in the two continents. 18. We reaffirm our commitment to promoting sustainable management of natural resources and circularity in economy, combatting wildlife trafficking, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and supporting the new ambitious global biodiversity framework. We welcome the 1st Africa Biodiversity Summit held in November 2025. We commit to further advancing on the development of a sustainable blue economy. 19. We agree on the urgency to reform the global health architecture that prioritises health security, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and equity and more effective country-led health systems, and that is coordinated at regional level where appropriate within a robust and efficient multilateral system at the global level. We reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing universal access and coverage to quality health services including digital health in recognition of the need for data security. We confirm our engagement to effectively implement the Beijing Platform for Action and the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action. We are strongly committed to strengthening pandemic preparedness, prevention and response and supporting the development of local manufacturing of health products in Africa. We support the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism in the health sector and health financing that is predictable, domestic, innovative and blended, to ensure sustainability. The Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda, led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a key step towards a more self-reliant and resilient health system in Africa. Cooperation within the EU-AU health partnership, including collaboration between the Africa Union Commission, Africa CDC, the African Medicines Agency, and the European institutions remains a priority. 20. We commit to investing in education, research, science, technology, and skills development to drive further scientific discoveries and innovative solutions. We highlight the importance of youth as drivers for sustainable development and commit to supporting their empowerment, and active participation. We encourage further exchanges of young citizens, volunteers, students and researchers through existing programmes, and partnerships between universities and research organisations to foster mutual understanding and excellence. 21. We acknowledge the role of culture to foster solidarity and peace, open and inclusive dialogue and cooperation. We reaffirm our commitment to protecting and promoting cultural diversity, as well as protecting intellectual property rights and authors' rights, ensuring fair remuneration for creators and the sustainable circulation of cultural goods. We will facilitate cultural exchanges, collaboration between artists, circulation of artworks, and encourage mutual undertaking for the restitution of cultural assets. A Renewed and Enhanced Cooperation on Peace, Security and Governance 22. We commend the long-standing AU-EU cooperation on peace, security and governance, including conflict prevention, peace mediation and stabilisation, premised on African-led solutions. We reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening dialogue and cooperation, including through the annual consultations between the AU Peace and Security Council and EU Political and Security Committee as well as the annual AU-EU Human Rights Dialogue. 23. We recall that since 2004, the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) has facilitated the prevention, management and resolution of various conflicts and crises on the Continent, including the deployment of AU Peace Support Operations (PSOs). We recognize the African Union Peace and Security Council's and the European Union Political and Security Committee's contribution to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in both continents and in promoting effective governance and we welcome AU's efforts to silence the guns in Africa in line with Aspiration 4 of the AU Agenda 2063. We stress the need for ensuring enhanced cooperation on hybrid threats and call for increased collaboration with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), as components of the APSA under the auspices of the AU, to ensure a coordinated continental response. We commend the AU's efforts to promote governance, peace and security including through the use of the African Union Peace Fund. We appreciate the substantial contribution and strong support that the EU has provided to these frameworks and peace efforts in Africa. 24. We welcome various EU Common Security and Defence Policy engagements in Africa, the substantial military and security support through the European Peace Facility (EPF), including the longstanding and reliable EU contribution to African Peace Support Operations. We also welcome EU support to the AU Human Rights Compliance Framework. We underline that the UN Charter accords the UNSC with the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and underscore the importance of adequate, predictable, and sustainable financing for AU-led Peace Support Operations, acting under a UN mandate. We therefore call for the full, effective and immediate implementation of the UNSC Resolution 2719 (2023) pertaining to the framework for financing AU-led Peace Support Operations through the UN-assessed contributions. 25. We welcome ongoing cooperation between the two continents renewing our commitment to maintaining a maritime order in accordance with the international law of the sea as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We expressed grave concern about the growing threat for the environment, safe seafaring and secure navigation and security threat posed by vessels, which operate disregarding compliance with international maritime law. 26. We underscore the importance of achieving international peace and security and the need for enhanced coordination, collaboration, transparency and complementarity of collective efforts. In this regard, we underline the importance of sustained efforts to comprehensively address the spread of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and the factors enabling it to thrive, by ensuring national recovery and reconstruction, enhancing good governance and preventing illicit trade in and proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and facilitating sustainable socio-economic development in Africa. We express our commitment to support and protect victims of terrorism and engage them in counter terrorism and counter extremism strategies. 27. We recommit to initiatives to tackle common challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism conducive to terrorism, transnational organised crime including illicit trafficking of people, illegal exploitation of minerals and natural resources, arms, drugs, wildlife, and cultural heritage, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms, antipersonnel landmines, misinformation and disinformation including foreign information manipulation and interference, ideology of hate and hate speech, piracy, cybersecurity and hybrid threats. 28. We renew our commitment to democracy, inclusive governance, rule of law, good neighbourliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, peaceful resolution of disputes, full respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty, right to selfdetermination, media freedom, human rights, including fundamental freedoms, gender equality, civil and political rights, economic social and cultural rights, and the protection of persons belonging to religious, ethnic, and linguistic minorities . We agree to enhance efforts against all forms of discrimination, exclusion, and violence particularly against girls and women. We reiterate the importance of implementing commitments and enhancing engagement on Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security and Children and Armed Conflict. We recall our support for post-conflict reconstruction and development efforts. 29. We express serious concerns over the growing humanitarian challenges, notably the increasing violations of International Humanitarian Law, attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, and reduced humanitarian access. We reaffirm our shared commitment to assist those in need of international protection and fleeing conflict and persecution, recognising that most African refugees are hosted on the African continent. We deplore the consequences of conflict on civilians, especially women and persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, persons belonging to religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities, indigenous peoples, and displaced persons. We reaffirm our commitment to support the African Humanitarian Agency. We will continue to prioritize our coordinated actions to strengthen protection systems for refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons and host communities, and find sustainable solutions in accordance with the principle of burden and responsibility sharing. Central to this commitment is the AU Continental Mechanism of Civil Capacity for Disaster Preparedness and Response, which will serve as one of the critical instruments for the coordination of Africa-led responses to humanitarian crises. A Stronger Commitment to Multilateralism 30. We agree to work towards more converging positions in multilateral fora to ensure an effective multilateral system with the UN at its core, based on international law and true to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Marking the 80th anniversary of the UN, we commit to advance the Pact for the Future, and to drive forward the UN80 initiative with ambition. We reiterate our call for a more representative, inclusive, transparent, and accountable UN Security Council. We welcome cooperation of both Unions as full members within the G20. 31. We welcome the 'Compromiso de Sevilla', the outcome of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development held in Spain, which provides a good basis and a significant step forward to accelerate the mobilisation, and effective use of all available resources as well as new financial instruments. We stress the need for continued reforms towards a more inclusive, efficient and representative international financial architecture, within the framework of each institution's mandate. 32. We underline the importance of sustainable finance that must support economic growth and serve as a driver for resilient, inclusive, and climate-aligned growth. Building on the work of the International Platform on Sustainable Finance and the EU Sustainable Finance Advisory Hub, we emphasise the importance of continuing this cooperation to scale up sustainable finance for Africa to adapt to climate change and mobilise private capital in support of shared climate and development objectives and to support the operationalization of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. 33. We reaffirm our support for rules-based trade and commit to working together towards deep and comprehensive reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO), notably improving its governance and ensuring fairness including level playing field taking into account the development needs of developing and least developed countries in Africa based on preferential and differential treatment. We commit to engage constructively in the preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon in 2026 with the objective to progress towards these goals and to achieve a meaningful, balanced and inclusive outcome. We call for investment facilitation and business climate reforms on the African continent, including through incorporation of the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) into the WTO rulebook. 34. Ten years after the Paris Agreement, we recognise that it has helped shift the global economy toward a clean and resilient transition. However, global climate action remains too slow, and ambition must rise to meet the challenge and avert an existential threat. We reaffirm our commitment to implementing fully the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC, emphasizing that only a collective global response can keep a 1.5°C warming within reach. We renew our commitment to ambitious climate action, reflecting equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. We urge all Parties, especially major emitters, to pursue the highest ambition and effective implementation. We commit to enhancing adaptation, and mitigation efforts particularly for vulnerable countries and communities and recognize the importance of facilitating access to carbon markets and pricing as key enabling factors for African countries to advance climate goals and sustainable development. We will strengthen cooperation on carbon pricing and markets through knowledge exchange to promote robust national strategies and high integrity standards. We further commit to working together to strengthen cooperation and commitments of Governments and key stakeholders on the development, implementation and funding of National Adaptation Plans with regular climate vulnerability assessments, climate resilient health systems, and better preparedness for climate shocks. We stress the importance of innovative finance, mobilizing private and concessional funds, in particular for climate adaptation. We welcome the 2nd Africa Climate Summit held from 8 to 10 September 2025. Both sides noted the outcome of the 30th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP30), held in Belem, Brazil. 35. We recall developed countries' commitment of mobilizing US$100 billion per year by 2025 and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) target of mobilizing at least US$ 300 billion per year until 2035. This funding should come from diverse sources—public and private, bilateral and multilateral—and support ambitious climate action and transparent implementation in developing countries. We stress the NCQG call to all actors to scale up climate finance for developing countries, aiming to mobilize at least USD 1.3 trillion annually by 2035 from a broad mix of public and private sources and we commit to work together to mobilize climate finance at scale. 36. We further reaffirm our determination to work towards meeting the objectives of the various African initiatives on climate change and resilience building namely the Africa Adaptation Initiative, the African Agriculture Adaptation Initiative, the Island Climate Commission, the Congo Basin Commission, the Sahel Commission and the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative. 37. We remain firmly committed to the implementation of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as to advancing to conclude negotiations on a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution. We reiterate our support for the commitments made at the UN Ocean Conference. 38. We emphasise the importance of effective and inclusive international tax cooperation. We are actively engaged in the work on the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, taking into account the work of other relevant fora and institutions. This should strengthen international tax cooperation frameworks for all countries, and to better reflect the diverse needs, priorities, and capacities. We reaffirm the importance of domestic resource mobilization and our commitment to contribute to strengthening financial integrity and resilience through continued cooperation on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism, Asset Recovery, combatting illicit financial flows, including tax evasion, organised crime, fraud and corruption and countering the financing of terrorism, as well as cooperation on tax avoidance, and to establishing fairer and more effective tax systems, both at national and at global level. We commit to jointly monitor progress on commitments made herein, ensuring that both Unions deliver concrete results in enhancing fiscal space and sustainable financing for development. 39. We acknowledge the African Union's 2025 Theme of the Year and the upcoming Decade of 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations'. We recognize and profoundly regret the untold suffering inflicted on millions of men, women and children as a result of the slave trade, colonialism and apartheid. We underline our full support to the principles and elements contained in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. We also recognise the importance of inclusive dialogue on ensuring that the enduring contributions and experiences of Africans and people of African descent are acknowledged, respected, and meaningfully integrated in shaping our future relations. An Enhanced and Reciprocal Partnership for Migration and Mobility 40. We recall our commitment to deepening cooperation and dialogue on migration and mobility in a comprehensive, integrated, and balanced manner, grounded in shared responsibility and commitment, and in full respect of international law and human rights. We reiterate the importance of existing continental and regional migration dialogue frameworks. 41. We commit to strengthening cooperation through comprehensive, tailor-made and mutually beneficial partnerships on preventing irregular migration, combating migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, enhancing border management capacities, and improving effective, safe, timely and dignified return, readmission, and sustainable reintegration, including through promoting voluntary returns, in full respect of international obligations, bilateral agreements, human rights. We further commit to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, notably through inclusive growth, sustainable development, and regional stability. 42. We acknowledge the importance of enhancing legal pathways for migration and mobility, in line with national competences, between our two continents, and within the African continent, especially for higher education students, academics, researchers and staff. We support the recognition of higher and vocational education qualifications. We recognise the need to support countries of origin by investing in people, notably in youth, through capacity building, education, research, skills, vocational training, employment, and socio-economic development initiatives. We commit to addressing the challenges posed by brain drain through mutually beneficial solutions, notably circular migration. In order to overcome challenges and seize opportunities, a whole-of-government approach to migration is needed. We recognise the positive contributions of the diaspora to the sustainable development of both continents and will work on addressing legal obstacles affecting their roles. Engagement with the African diaspora is essential, not only as a source of remittances but as a driver for investment, innovation and knowledge exchange, as also affirmed by the AU-EU Innovation Agenda. We commit to working towards reducing remittance costs and enhancing their productive use. 43. We reaffirm our shared commitment to assist those in need of international protection, fleeing violence, conflict and persecution, and we commit to providing support to internally displaced persons. We will continue to strengthen asylum systems and support the governance and management of migration and forced displacement in accordance with our global commitments, with a view to providing adequate reception and protection for those entitled, as well as working towards their integration. 44. We recognize that if well managed in line with national needs and competences, safe, orderly, and regular migration can be an opportunity, and a catalyst for economic, social and human development of both the sending and the host states. In this regard, we recognize the important role to be played by the African Observatory on Migration in Morocco, the Continental Operational Centre in Sudan for combatting irregular migration and African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration in Mali and regional dialogues on Migration such as Rabat and Khartoum Processes. Implementation, Monitoring, and Follow-up 45. We agree to continue to work jointly on an implementation plan on the Sectoral Areas of Cooperation, building on the document submitted by the EU, for adoption by an African Union – European Union Senior Officials Meeting within six months after this Summit. 46. We commit to following up on our engagements and monitoring the effective implementation of the commitments undertaken during AU-EU Summits through the regular update of the Joint Monitoring Report. We therefore support a permanent follow-up mechanism within the existing AU-EU structures, including the AU-EU Ministerial Follow-up Committee, which assesses progress on commitments from Summit and Ministerial Meetings, ensuring sustained progress in the implementation of the Joint Vision for 2030 through regular dialogue and coordination, both at political and operational level. This new mechanism, which will notably support the existing Ministerial Follow-up Committee, will be set up by the next AU-EU Senior Officials Meeting. 47. We welcome the contributions of the Civil Society and Youth Forum, also in view of the collaboration on an EU-AU Civil Society Organisations-Youth Engagement Mechanism, as well as of the EU-Africa Business Forum. We welcome the contributions from the recent meeting of the European Parliament and the PanAfrican Parliament in Midrand, South Africa. We encourage continued engagement of all relevant stakeholders in advancing the Partnership. 48. We agree to reconvene in Brussels for our 8th Summit, to take stock of progress and chart future priorities of this partnership. 49. We express our profound gratitude to the President of the Republic of Angola, H.E. Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and to the Angolan Government and people for the warm reception, hospitality and excellent organisation of the 7th AU-EU Summit. Source – EU Commission Forward to your friends Post navigation EU Court: Poland must recognise same-sex marriage concluded in other Member States EU Parliament greenlights first-ever European defence industry programme
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