EU-African Union ministerial meeting, 26 October 2021

Foreign affairs ministers of the European Union and the African Union will meet for the second time in this configuration since January 2019 to take stock of progress made since the fifth EU-AU Summit (Abidjan, 29-30 November). Ministers will also exchange views on the EU-AU partnership and how to strengthen cooperation.

During the meeting, discussions will revolve around the following topics:

• the response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
• building resilience
• investing in the digital and green transitions
• peace, security and global governance
• migration and mobility
• education, science, technology and skills development

Ahead of the sixth EU-AU Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Brussels in early 2022, ministers are expected to identify the most important common priorities, opportunities and challenges for the agenda.

The meeting will be co-hosted by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Vice-Premier Minister/Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and President of the AU's Executive Council, Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen'Apala. The Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, will attend the meeting.

A joint press release will be issued at the end of the meeting.