EESC Strengthens Civil Society Relations with African Union, Enhances Strategic Partnership
EESC Strengthens Civil Society Relations with African Union, Enhances Strategic Partnership
On July 17, Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Khalid Boudali, the Presiding Officer of the African Union's Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC). This agreement aims to bolster collaboration between EU and African civil societies, focusing on promoting economic and social development, enhancing civil society engagement, and fostering sustainable growth. This initiative reaffirms the strategic partnership between the African Union and the EU, promoting a renewed commitment to democratic dialogue.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the African Union ECOSOCC, President Röpke led a delegation of EESC members, including Vice-President Laurentiu Plosceanu, to Ghana. They met with key representatives of the African Union ECOSOCC, where President Röpke reiterated the EU's dedication to strengthening its strategic partnership with the African Union. This commitment aims to foster shared values of democracy, inclusive dialogue, and sustainable development.
Röpke stated, "This MoU underscores our commitment to enhancing civil society participation in the Africa-EU partnership. We aim to establish a permanent, inclusive, and representative mechanism for such engagement. This is a testament to our shared commitment to promoting democracy, inclusive dialogue, and sustainable development. With a population of 1.3 billion, the African Union and its ECOSOC are among our most significant partners, and we are eager to invest further in our joint future."
Commitment to a Stronger Partnership
The EU-Africa relationship faces numerous challenges, including growing insecurity and high-intensity conflicts. However, civil society remains crucial in maintaining focus on shared challenges, providing citizens with the opportunity to express their opinions and actively contribute to decision-making processes.
The MoU seeks to enhance cooperation between the two institutions, emphasizing the importance of involving economic and social stakeholders in the Africa-EU partnership. It outlines a series of actions for both institutions to foster regular meetings, exchange information on work programs, organize joint events, and contribute collaboratively to relevant EU-AU events.
On the same day, President Röpke delivered a speech at a Gala event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the African Union ECOSOCC, held alongside the AU mid-year coordination meeting. He highlighted that ECOSOCC is viewed as a sister organization to the EESC, with both institutions playing a vital role in bridging the gap between citizens and leaders, ensuring that the concerns, hopes, and aspirations of the people are reflected in policymaking processes.
During the Gala, the EESC was honored with a token of appreciation from the African Union ECOSOCC, celebrating the strengthened partnership. This recognition reflects the dedication and collaborative efforts to ensure that civil society's voices are heard, reinforcing the belief that collaboration makes us stronger.
Background
The AU ECOSOCC is the EESC's natural partner in Africa. In March 2023, during a meeting of the ACP-EU Follow-up Committee, discussions on an MoU between the two institutions began. In July, in collaboration with the AU ECOSOCC, the EESC organized the 8th Meeting of the EU-Africa Economic and Social Stakeholders' Network in Brussels, focusing on the AU-EU Partnership for a Sustainable Future. The resulting declaration emphasized the importance of civil society participation and called for an inclusive definition of stakeholders, encompassing all sectors of civil society, economic actors, and social partners.
The African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting is an annual event aimed at enhancing coordination and cooperation among the various organs and institutions of the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and member states. This meeting typically involves high-level officials and serves as a platform for strategic discussions.
Photo attribution: Guy Delsaut, Jacques Delors Building 02, CC BY-SA 4.0
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