Eswatini, (New Ziana) — More than 200 parliamentarians from Africa and Europe are set to gather in Eswatini this week for a landmark parliamentary assembly aimed at deepening cooperation on peace and security, youth empowerment, strategic resources and global governance under the Samoa Agreement.
The Samoa Agreement is a comprehensive partnership framework signed on November 15, 2023, between the European Union (EU) and 79 members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).
It succeeds the Cotonou Agreement to modernize cooperation on key issues like sustainability, human rights, and economic growth for 20 years.
The three-day meeting, running from May 12 to 14, marks the first Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly plenary session under the Samoa Agreement, bringing together 31 Members of the European Parliament alongside delegations from more than 36 African countries.
Lawmakers are expected to debate pressing geopolitical and socio-economic challenges affecting both continents, including insecurity, competition over critical raw materials, youth mobility, women’s economic participation and the future of multilateral cooperation.
Co-Chair of the Assembly, Hilde Vautmans, said the gathering signalled a new phase in Africa–Europe relations anchored on stronger political cooperation and shared interests.
“Africa and Europe must turn dialogue into political action,” Vautmans said ahead of the plenary.
She added that the EU remained committed to “building a partnership with Africa based on mutual respect and shared responsibilities.”
“In a world of growing competition and uncertainty, a renewed EU–Africa partnership is our strongest strategic asset. Our futures are intertwined and should be guided by shared interests,” she said.
Vautmans said the assembly would focus on ensuring that the partnership delivers tangible benefits for citizens on both continents, particularly in the areas of peace and security, youth employment, women’s economic empowerment and strategic cooperation.
The assembly is taking place against a backdrop of shifting global geopolitics, growing competition for critical minerals and persistent security and economic challenges affecting several regions.
Organisers say Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, increased mobility and global economic shifts have elevated the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in shaping future cooperation between the two regions.
Co-Chair Godonou David Houinsa described the meeting as a historic turning point in Africa–EU parliamentary engagement.
“This first historical EU-Africa Parliamentary Assembly marks the beginning of a new era of parliamentary dialogue and political cooperation between Africa and the European Union based on common engagements in the framework of the Samoa Agreement,” Houinsa said.
He added that the partnership “must be people-led and rooted in parliamentary dialogue.”
The assembly is also expected to culminate in the adoption of joint political recommendations to guide the Africa–EU Council of Ministers on the future implementation of the Samoa Agreement.
Among the key issues scheduled for debate are peace and security, multilateralism, critical raw materials, youth education and mobility, women in agriculture and the development of creative industries.
Side platforms including a Youth Forum, Women’s Forum and Business Forum will also be held to broaden stakeholder participation and strengthen dialogue on education, agricultural value chains and innovation-driven industries.
The programme includes opening sessions and discussions on peace and security tomorrow, a keynote debate on youth education and mobility on Wednesday, and final deliberations on critical minerals and multilateralism before voting on joint recommendations on Thursday.
*New Ziana*
