Kinshasa, November 24th, 2025 (CPA). – The plea for fair representation in international financial institutions has been made on Monday by the Chairperson of the Permanent Commission of the African Union (AU) at the opening of the summit on partnership with the European Union in Luanda, Angola. « We demand our place on the United Nations Security Council, based on the consensus of those who are far away. And we demand an equitable representation in international financial institutions, » has indicated Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the Permanent Commission of the African Union. On the same issue, he has called on the European Union (EU) to get involved in the review of the international financial architecture. ‘Furthermore, Africa is calling for a reform of the international financial architecture in order to reduce the cost of capital and facilitate access to substantial financing. Europe must play a central role in this,’ he has declared. « Indeed, and beyond the geographical proximity, Africa and Europe share a history, but above all, multidimensional common interests. And we are long-standing partners, » he has added. Mr Mahamoud Ali has recalled the context of this summit, marked by an increased multilateralism, which requires to consider the place of the African continent, having become a member of the G20. ‘As such, Africa continues to demand its place at this table. We have become full members of the G20. Moreover, I would like to congratulate South Africa, which has upheld the continent’s ambitions in Johannesburg a few days ago,’ has said the Chair of the AU Standing Committee. He has also expressed the African continent’s desire to consolidate the EU-AU partnership through the development of several structural projects in areas such as infrastructure, energy transition, agro-industrial transformation, etc. ‘Africa is counting on Europe to step up investment in structural projects. Corridors, energy transition and agro-industrial transformation must find their way through the Global Gateway programme, etc.,’ he has maintained. Regarding, moreover, the security crises on the African continent, Mr Mahamoud Ali has affirmed that Africa, although plagued by its own humanitarian and developmental crises, has nevertheless, for several decades, thought about and mapped out the path to follow, with the ambition of an integrated and prosperous Africa, the objective of the 20-60 agenda.
Call for action on the rise of conflicts on both continents
In her speech, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Vonderley, has called on the heads of state and government delegations present to take action to counter the rise of conflicts on both continents. ‘In an increasingly conflict-ridden global context, Africa and Europe need each other more than ever,’ she has indicated. Mr. Joao Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and of the African Union, in turn, has highlighted the importance of relations between the two continents and of strengthening Africa’s presence in global decision-making processes. Over two days, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union and the European Union will focus their discussions on strengthening peace, stability, economic integration and intercontinental trade, while responding to contemporary challenges such as ecological transition, digital transformation and Africa’s growing role on the world stage. ‘Promoting peace and prosperity through effective multilateralism’ is the theme of this 7th Summit, in which Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi is also taking part.