Debate: New EU-Africa Strategy
Date: WEDNESDAY, 24 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Jutta Urpilainen
Language: EN

Just over a year ago we jointly presented, together with the High Representative, our proposal for a new strategy with Africa, with the intention to get a joined-up approach and a renewed partnership with our sister continent Africa. And two days later the COVID-19 outbreak was declared as a global pandemic. The Commission, together with the Member States and the EIB and the EBRD acting as Team Europe, has led the charge on the global COVID response and vaccine solidarity, including in Africa. A sizable portion of the almost EUR 14 billion mobilised in support to partner countries has being going to Africa. And COVAX vaccine deliveries are now happening across the continent. We also continue to support health- system strengthening and country vaccination strategies. And we are exploring how to build up manufacturing and production capacity in Africa in the context of our budget for external action. So much has happened during this exceptional year. It made our renewed partnership all the more crucial. The crisis revealed the urgency of the five pillars of this strategy and the need to streamline human development across the partnership. And this brings me to my second point. Over the past year, the EU has continued to reach out to its African partners, including several visits to Addis Ababa. And I consulted different actors to ensure views are taken on board in the process leading up to the sixth African Union-European Union summit, starting with the European Parliament. So I could not be happier to see the numerous points of convergence between your report and the joint communication. The priorities outlined in our joint communication and in this report should help us spearhead a sustainable and inclusive global recovery linking the sustainable development goals to investment and depth relief. These areas can be win-win opportunities for Africa and Europe that benefit both people and planet. We can tackle climate change and environmental degradation, reverse biodiversity loss and ensure food security, while at the same time focusing on job creation, human development and a comprehensive approach to migration. Likewise, when it comes to digitalisation, if we bridge the digital divide in Africa, there is a huge potential for fostering inclusion. In doing so we must continue to promote democracy, human rights, good governance and peace and security as prerequisites for sustainable development. As my last point, let me praise your report’s endorsement of our shared vision for supporting women and youth. I’m grateful to see your reference to the new ambitious gender action plan, which will promote participation of women and girls in all aspects of the COVID-19 recovery. Likewise, answering the growing demand of Africa’s young and dynamic workforce by investing in education, training and skills is critical in a post—pandemic world. And I have notably decided to increase funding for education from 7% to at least 10% of our budget. But we need to engage with youth in Africa to guide us in the process. This is one of my personal priorities and I’m happy to announce that I have launched a youth sounding-board and I will be nominating a special envoy on youth. So in conclusion let me thank you once more for this report, and I very much look forward to this debate.