In an era marked by geopolitical fragmentation, economic uncertainty and deepening global rivalries, Africa and Europe have chosen a path of renewed cooperation rather than drift apart. The 7th African Union–European Union Summit, held in Luanda on 24–25 November 2025, captured a partnership seeking relevance in a rapidly shifting world order. The meeting was not merely ceremonial. It produced a comprehensive Joint Declaration that attempts to realign two continents around shared interests in peace, sustainable development, climate action, migration governance, economic diversification and strengthened multilateralism.
The Summit marked twenty-five years since the partnership was inaugurated in Cairo in 2000. It also followed the Sixth Summit in Brussels in 2022 and the Third Ministerial Meeting of May 2025, giving this declaration continuity within the long arc of AU–EU cooperation. But more importantly, the Luanda declaration sets a refreshed tone: that both continents see their futures as mutually reinforcing, and that sustained cooperation, not episodic engagement, is the only viable option amid global instability.
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The declaration strongly reasserts the importance of the international system, grounding the AU–EU relationship in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international humanitarian law. At a moment when global power shifts have emboldened states to reinterpret long-standing norms, Africa and Europe insist that sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence are non-negotiable.
This global framing is deliberate. By placing their partnership within the wider framework of international law, both unions are signalling their intention to remain defenders of multilateralism rather than participants in its erosion. They go further by calling for institutional reforms that would make the global system more inclusive, particularly the UN Security Council, and commit to working jointly to advance the Pact for the Future emerging from the UN80 process.
One of the most striking features of the declaration is its outward look at conflicts that weigh heavily on global stability. The two unions jointly express unwavering support for peace efforts in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sahel, and Somalia. For Sudan in particular, the declaration condemns atrocities in El-Fasher following its seizure by the RSF and calls for unhindered humanitarian access — a significant political position given the catastrophic humanitarian situation unfolding there.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the AU and EU reaffirm their commitment to relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including Resolution 2773, and recognise ongoing regional frameworks such as the Doha Agreement and AU-mandated mediation.
This extensive catalogue of crises shows an AU–EU relationship that sees security not as a continental issue but as a shared responsibility anchored in global stability.
When Economies Seek Breathing Space
At the heart of the Luanda declaration is a recognition that Africa’s economic future depends on creating an enabling environment that allows countries to industrialise, integrate markets and service their development needs without being crippled by unsustainable debt burdens. The document acknowledges the high cost of capital that African economies face and calls for deeper reforms of the international financial architecture. These include improvements to the G20 Common Framework, broader eligibility for restructuring, and the development of innovative financial instruments that expand fiscal space.
The declaration also places considerable weight on trade, noting that volatility in global trade policies has become a destabilising force. Against this backdrop, AU–EU trade relations are positioned as a stabilising anchor built on predictable frameworks and rules-based systems. The commitment to accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is central to this vision.
Building the Pathways That Power Economies
Infrastructure development remains one of the most consequential areas of AU–EU cooperation. The declaration directly references the Global Gateway Africa–Europe Investment Package, the Lobito Corridor, and broader alignment with Africa’s Programme for Infrastructure Development (PIDA). Europe signals readiness to support a strong legal and institutional framework for African corridor development, one that mirrors its own Trans-European Transport Network.
Energy cooperation is equally central. Through the Africa–EU Green Energy Initiative, both sides reaffirm their target of providing at least 100 million Africans with access to clean electricity by 2030. The commitment is framed around Africa’s existing continental frameworks, including the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the Continental Power Systems Masterplan (CMP) and the African Energy Efficiency Strategy (AfEES). The declaration promises a fair and sustainable energy transition anchored in Africa’s own potential.
Digital transformation also receives significant attention, recognising its role in job creation and inclusive economic growth. The AU Digital Transformation Strategy and the EU International Digital Strategy will continue guiding future cooperation, particularly around digital literacy, online safety and the development of human-centric artificial intelligence.
Feeding Nations, Safeguarding Resources
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the AU–EU relationship. With food insecurity worsening globally, the two unions reaffirm their alignment with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and stress the importance of sustainable and resilient food systems. They highlight agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture as common strategic interests for prosperity.
Another key area is environmental sustainability. The declaration commits both sides to combating wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, and supporting the outcomes of the First Africa Biodiversity Summit held in November 2025. It also reaffirms commitments to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the ongoing negotiations for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
Preparing for Future Health Emergencies
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped global health architecture, and the Luanda declaration acknowledges this reality. The AU and EU call for reforms that prioritise universal health coverage, equity and stronger country-led systems. They commit to enhancing pandemic preparedness, building climate-resilient health systems, and supporting Africa’s push toward local vaccine and health-product manufacturing.
Cooperation will continue among the Africa CDC, the African Medicines Agency and European institutions. The declaration also endorses the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism as a tool for strengthening continental health security.
Youth empowerment, education, science and culture receive considerable space. Both unions commit to expanding student exchanges, research collaboration and university partnerships. They also reaffirm the importance of protecting cultural assets, intellectual property and promoting fair remuneration for creators. The question of restitution of cultural heritage is framed not as a political gesture but as a commitment to an equitable cultural future.
Where Guns Fall Silent: Peace, Security and Good Governance
A full chapter of the declaration is devoted to peace and governance. The AU’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), established in 2004, is recognised as a critical instrument for conflict prevention and resolution. Europe’s longstanding contribution through the European Peace Facility (EPF) is equally acknowledged.
A major development is the emphasis on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023), which opens the door to predictable UN funding for AU-led peace operations. This is a significant shift and could reshape how peace support missions are financed on the continent.
The declaration goes further by reaffirming commitments to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, gender equality, and the protection of vulnerable groups. It also highlights the need to tackle terrorism, violent extremism, illicit weapons flows and transnational organised crime.
The Unfinished Work of Climate Responsibility
Ten years after the Paris Agreement entered into force, both unions express concern that global climate action is not keeping pace with scientific reality. They reaffirm the need to keep global warming within 1.5°C and call for ambitious implementation of national climate plans.
They also address climate finance, noting that the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) calls for mobilising at least US$1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for developing countries. The AU and EU commit to working together to unlock climate finance at scale, particularly for adaptation — the area where Africa is most vulnerable.
The declaration references key African climate initiatives such as the Africa Adaptation Initiative, the Congo Basin Commission, the Sahel Commission and the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative.
Migration and Mobility: Managing a Shared Human Reality
Migration emerges as a central theme, treated with nuance and responsibility. Both unions commit to enhancing cooperation to prevent irregular migration, combat human trafficking, strengthen border management and support safe and dignified return and reintegration processes. Yet the declaration also emphasises expanding legal pathways for mobility, particularly for students, academics and researchers.
The AU and EU recognise the positive contributions of the African diaspora and commit to reducing remittance costs, a crucial issue given the economic lifeline remittances provide across Africa.
A Partnership That Wants to Be Measured and Held Accountable
Unlike many political declarations that fade after adoption, the Luanda declaration establishes structures for persistent follow-up. The two unions commit to updating the Joint Monitoring Report regularly and strengthening the AU–EU Ministerial Follow-up Committee. A permanent mechanism will be set up by the next Senior Officials Meeting to ensure that commitments are not only articulated but implemented.
The Road to Brussels
The Summit concluded with an agreement that the 8th AU–EU Summit will be held in Brussels. By then, both unions expect substantive progress on the Joint Vision for 2030.
The tone of the Luanda declaration is unmistakably clear: Africa and Europe see themselves as partners navigating an uncertain century. Their joint statement is not a perfect equilibrium of interests, but it is a realistic reflection of shared aspirations shaped by global complexity. In a world searching for stability, the AU–EU relationship may well become a model of how regions with different histories but intertwined futures can negotiate a cooperative path forward.
