- online

Online discussion in English on future EU-Africa economic cooperation with perspectives from Africa and Europe

Image: Together towards justainability of FES / Anne Lehmann

In 2020, the nature of the cooperation between the European Union and Africa is negotiated and might profoundly change: a new EU-Sahel Strategy, a new EU-Africa Strategy, the EU-AU summit in autumn, the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, the development of new finance instruments – all against the background of a shaky multilateralism an the challenges posed by the corona crisis. An opportunity to raise the partnership to "a new level"? An opportunity to address not only issues such as security, migration, hunger and poverty but also sustainability, the empowerment of women and youth and fair trade?

Our third webinar took a closer look on the future Africa-EU economic cooperation and EU’s financial instruments such as the External Investment Plan. The EU is still Africa’s most important partner in terms of trade, investment, economic and development cooperation. With its Africa strategy the EU aims at taking its partnership with the continent to the next level.

Keeping our slogan “What’s the offer” in mind we discussed the EU’s approaches to foster “sustainable growth and jobs” as put forward in the new strategy. Does the EU apply the right tools to achieve these indisputable objectives? Does Europe’s offer meet Africa’s aspirations and take into account the continent’s development realities? What impact may the current Covid-19 crisis have on Africa’s socio-economic agenda and the future of EU-African cooperation?

Programme

Introduction:

Prof. Robert Kappel, Professor Emeritus at the University of Leipzig and former President, German Institute for Global Area Studies

Inputs:

H.E. Prof. Victor Harison, Commissioner for Economic Affairs, African Union
Luca Jahier, President, European Economic and Social Committee

Chair:

Lennart Oestergaard, Desk Officer, FES Africa Department
Daniela Iller, Policy Officer, FES EU Office

Please register here by 24 May 2020. Log-in details will be communicated right before the session. Simultaneous interpretation for English and French will be provided.

Webinar series programme

12 May, 2pm – 3.30pm #1 | Kick-Off | What’s the offer? Expectation on the EU-Africa Year

19 May, 3.30pm – 5pm #2 | New Finance Instruments | NDICI and Democracy Promotion

26 May, 2pm – 3.30pm #3 | New Finance Instruments | The EU External Investment Plan

2 June, 2pm – 3.30pm #4 | New Finance Instruments | The European Peace Facility

9 June, 2pm – 3.30pm #5 | Wrap up and way ahead | Targeted Policy Advice

Webinar "What's the Offer? The EU External Investment Plan and the future EU-Africa Economic Cooperation"

Tuesday May 26, 2-3:30 pm CEST (via Zoom)

Tuesday, 2 June 2020 - ONLINE

EU's New Finance Instruments: The European Peace Facility

Veranstaltungsnummer: 248179 – als .ics herunterladen

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's (FES) Africa Department and EU Office cordially invite you to the fourth webinar in our series "What's the offer? A new partnership between Europe and Africa". In the third webinar we took a closer look on the future Africa-EU economic cooperation and EU's financial instruments such as the External Investment Plan.

In 2020, the nature of the cooperation between the European Union and Africa is being negotiated and might profoundly change: a new EU-Sahel Strategy, a new EU-Africa Strategy, the EU-AU summit in autumn, the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, the development of new finance instruments - all against the background of a shaky multilateralism and the challenges posed by the corona crisis. An opportunity to raise the partnership to »a new level«? An opportunity to address not only issues such as security, migration, hunger and poverty but also sustainability, the empowerment of women and youth and fair trade?

The EU is providing substantial financial support to the Africa Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). Within this framework, Germany is playing an important role through technical and institutional support. After the evaluation of the EU's engagement towards the APSA by the European Court of Auditors in 2018, the EU's engagement for peace, security and democracy on the African Continent will be re-defined through new financial instruments: the European Peace Facility (EPF) and the Neighbourhood, Development, International Cooperation instrument (NDICI). Both instruments will replace the African Peace Facilitate (APF). The APF - through its provisions on governance and a strong role of the AU PSC - strengthened the cooperation between the AU and the EU on a continental level. The way that EPF and NDICI are designed, they might lead to a more interest based and flexible engagement of the EU on peace and security on the African continent. In the webinar we will discuss the possible impact of the new financial instrument EPF and NDICI on the AU-EU, especially for the system of collective security and the long-term goal to strengthen civic conflict prevention.

The webinar will be held in English language with French interpretation.

More information on the topic and webinar series on our website: https://www.fes.de/en/together-towards-justainability