Today, 11 November 2025, a very well-attended roundtable discussion on shifting global dynamics, the state of multilateralism and peace and security in Africa, in the context of the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU Partnership (#AUEU25), took place in Addis Ababa.
The event, hosted by the International Crisis Group (ICG) and the EU Delegation to the AU, gathered policy practitioners, regional experts on peace and security, ambassadors and officials from the AU and EU member states, as well as representatives from international organisations and civil society. Speakers and attendees agreed that the current international political landscape characterized by fragmentation and geopolitical competition warrants sustained investment in conflict prevention, preventive diplomacy and a renewed focus on UN reform.
Discussions focussed on the impact of the changing nature of multilateralism on African peacemaking and the role of the AU-EU partnership in an international context marked by increasing distrust of multilateral solutions. Speakers and attendees looked ahead to the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola, identifying possible avenues for future, enhanced cooperation between the two organisations, as well as practical pathways to address common security challenges.
In her welcome remarks, Karin Stanghed, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to the AU, looked forward to an ambitious AU-EU Summit: “ that delivers a mature, mutually beneficial partnership for African and European people”. She identified opportunities to scale up the EU – Africa partnership in 3 key areas: (1) joint support to multilateralism; (2) a renewed partnership on trade and investment, fostering the African integration process; and (3) enhanced African agency.
Crisis Group’s Africa Director Murithi Mutiga stressed: “Crisis Group and the European Union are longstanding partners. This year, which also marks Crisis Group’s 30th anniversary, we welcomed the opportunity to co-host an event with the EU Delegation to the African Union. It was important to discuss the changing multilateral landscape and its impact on Africa. We also looked forward to the EU-AU summit, what can be expected, and where there are opportunities for cross-regional collaboration to better prevent and resolve conflicts.”
More information:
#AUEU25
AUC: www.au.int| Facebook | Twitter @AUC_PAPS | Instagram | YouTube
EU Delegation to AU: Website / X / EEAS Press Material and YouTube channel
ICG:
Background information:
AUC Political Affairs, Peace and Security Directorate
EU-AU partnership for peace, security and governance
EU Peace, Security and Defence
EU Missions and Operations and factsheet
7th AU–EU Summit: on November 24-25 in Luanda, Angola, Heads of State and Government and Member States from Africa and the EU will gather to reaffirm their shared commitment to multilateralism, solidarity, and joint action to address common challenges. The Summit will be co-chaired by H.E. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, and H.E. António Costa, President of the European Council. H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and H.E. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, will also be in attendance. More information and media accreditation here
The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) launched a joint year-long campaign celebrating the 25th anniversary of their enduring and unique partnership (#AUEU25). Together, the EU and the AU represent more than 1.9 billion people and are driving sustainable and people-centred progress, with multilateralism at its core. The partnership’s key pillars are Prosperity, Peace, People and Planet from the Joint Vision for 2030 adopted at the Summit in 2022, aligned with the Africa Agenda 2063 and the EU’s political priorities. More information: article, video and card.