African Union-European Union summit begins

In an effort to renew and deepen their partnership, The African Union and European Union kick off the 2022 EU-AU summit in Brussels on Thursday. The two day gathering was initially planned for 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and agenda issues.

It will be the first time EU and African Union leaders have met in this format since 2017. The COVID-19 global health pandemic will form part of key topics during the summit, and eyes are on this latest meeting to see if it will help reshape the relationship between the two international organisations. Last week European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced a 150-billion euro investment plan in Africa as part of the EU's so-called Global Gateway project, which is widely seen as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative. The EU said that its investment package for Africa is meant to bolster a green and digital transition, accelerate sustainable growth and job creation, and strengthen education and health systems.