Pedro Sánchez stresses that Europe and Africa can be the driving force behind a renewed, fairer, and more inclusive multilateralism

Luanda (Angola)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the plenary session of the African Union-European Union Summit (Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez, has participated in the seventh European Union-African Union Summit, entitled: "Advancing Peace and Prosperity through effective Multilateralism". This bi-regional meeting, held every three years, structured its plenary session into four segments: the peace, security, and governance agenda; the shared prosperity and common interests agenda; mobility and people; and multilateralism.

In his address to the plenary, President Sánchez stressed that Europe and Africa can be the driving force behind a renewed, fairer, more inclusive and representative multilateralism. In this regard, he underscored the importance of choosing the path of collaboration and defending the multilateral system, establishing three objectives: strengthening its legitimacy and that of the United Nations, ensuring that it responds to global challenges, particularly for the most disadvantaged countries, and reinforcing Africa's already consolidated role in the system.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço, greet each other | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

President Sánchez stressed that, to achieve the necessary and urgent reform of global governance, this must also go hand in hand with a paradigm shift in development finance, highlighting the concrete commitments reached at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville regarding debt relief, resource mobilisation, and greater participation of developing countries.

With regard to relations between the European Union (EU) and the African Union, Pedro Sánchez stressed the importance of strengthening the alliance between the European Union and the African Union, underlining that for Spain it represents a natural alliance. In this regard, he highlighted the Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028, adopted in 2024 by the Government of Spain, with an ambitious economic and social agenda, as well as the promotion of strong trade relations and the development of initiatives such as Africa Avanza or Global Gateway that represent opportunities for Spain, the EU and the African continent to move together towards prosperity.

Bilateral meetings

During the summit, Pedro Sánchez held several bilateral meetings. First, he met with the recently appointed president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Sidi Ould Tah, to whom he conveyed Spain's position in favour of increasing its engagement and commitment to the institution. They discussed the need to increase the mobilisation of public and private capital for the continent's development, as well as the Bank's participation in both the Africa Forward Alliance and the Seville Debt Forum.

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of the African Development Bank, Sidi Ould Tah | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

He also met with the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, whom he congratulated on the successful outcome of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Both agreed on the importance of consolidating a strong alliance capable of addressing major global challenges, such as inequality, conflict, and climate sustainability.

Pedro Sánchez also met with the President of Kenya, Williams Ruto, with whom he reaffirmed Spain's commitment to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries. He highlighted that Spanish companies already operate in key sectors and stressed that the EU-Kenya Agreement can provide a new impetus to generate prosperity and attract investment.

Group photo from the African Union - European Union Summit | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Meeting with European Union leaders

On the sidelines of the Summit, the President of the Government of Spain participated in the meeting of European Union leaders, where the negotiations in Geneva were discussed.

Pedro Sánchez also spoke by telephone with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to express his support. He further conveyed to him that, after almost four years of war, Spain's determination and support for Ukraine remain unwavering. He emphasised that Spain and Europe support a peace that respects the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people, because only in this way will it be a truly just and lasting peace.

Non official translation