Africa, Europe seek to renew partnership by 2030

The recent African Union, European Union summit held in Brussels ended with a nod to strengthen relations between Africa and Europe. Leaders left the room with a quiet and joint vision for 2030 aiming to renew partnership between the two continents. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and the Co-President of the EU Africa Foundation, sat down with CNBC Africa's Julius Bismongo to delve into the details of this significant development. Robinson highlighted how the summit was crucial in improving relations that were not as strong as they should be between the two continents. The summit had been postponed, causing some anxiety about its outcome. However, dialogues organized by the Africa Europe Foundation on issues like migration and climate helped prepare the way for the summit. The final document resulting from the summit was notably strengthened during the discussions, signifying a commitment to a deeper partnership. The 'Joint Vision for 2030' sets this agreement apart from previous declarations such as the Cairo Declaration in 2001 and the joint Africa-EU strategy in 2007. Robinson emphasized the importance of genuine listening, with Europe acknowledging the realities faced by Africa, particularly regarding climate change and equitable access to resources like vaccines. The focus is on a more grounded partnership with a sincere commitment to addressing key issues. One of the central themes of the vision is the need for holistic approaches to challenges like migration and energy access in Africa. With 600 million people on the continent lacking electricity, the EU has pledged a €150 billion investment package over the next seven years to tackle these issues. This new funding signifies a dedicated effort to support Africa's development and transition to cleaner energy sources. Robinson stressed the importance of tangible plans emerging early to ensure the effective implementation of this commitment. The dialogue also touched upon energy and climate change, critical topics for both Africa and Europe. Robinson highlighted the urgency for African countries to transition to clean energy swiftly due to the rapidly closing window to combat climate change. While the use of gas for a just transition may be necessary in the short term, a clear plan to shift away from fossil fuels is essential to avoid investing in redundant assets. The conversation also turned to vaccine production, where Africa has faced challenges in distributing vaccines despite generous contributions from the EU. Robinson acknowledged the need to strengthen health systems for equitable vaccine access while emphasizing the importance of manufacturing vaccines within Africa. Lastly, the discussion touched on special drawing rights and the slow progress in reallocating them to countries in need, especially in light of the impacts of the Ukraine war and climate change on African countries. Robinson urged the European Union to fulfill its commitments to support African countries facing multiple crises. Overall, the 'Joint Vision for 2030' marks a significant step towards a renewed and more robust partnership between Africa and Europe, focusing on addressing key challenges and fostering sustainable development in the years ahead.