Global Baku Forum features panel session on “Africa Today and Tomorrow"

A panel session on "Africa Today and Tomorrow" was held as part of the 13th Global Baku Forum.

The panel session was moderated by Hafez Ghanem, Regional Vice President of the World Bank for Eastern and Southern Africa.

In his remarks, Charles Michel, former Prime Minister of Belgium, described Africa as a strategic partner for the EU, highlighting the need to strengthen cooperation and economic ties amid global armed conflicts and militarization.

Joseph Muscat, former Prime Minister of Malta, emphasized that Africa’s greatest opportunities lie within the continent itself, and that success depends on harnessing these internal resources rather than following other states’ agendas.

In his remarks, Dimitris Avramopoulos, former European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, stressed that by 2026, Africa will turn into a central player in global affairs. He said Africa must be treated as an equal partner, especially as China and other powers are already cooperating with the region.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of West Africa for 2003-2007 and United Nations Special Envoy for Somalia for 2007-2010, provided insights into the Africa’s geographical location and the population count, noting that despite being the world’s second-largest continent by both metrics, it contains 34 of the world’s 48 least developed countries.

Hakima El-Haite, President of Liberal International, Special Envoy for Climate Change of the Kingdom of Morocco for 2015-2017, High-Level Climate Champion of COP22, highlighted Africa’s potential, stressing the need for regional partnerships, sustainable resource use, renewable energy cooperation, and climate action.

The panel session continued its work with discussions around the topic.