This is a milestone year: the African Union–European Union partnership turns 25 at the same time as a generation of young people who have grown up alongside it. In November, leaders from both continents will gather in Luanda, Angola for the sixth AU–EU Summit.
They will be marking a quarter century of cooperation that began on April 3, 2000, when the first summit met in Cairo, Egypt. In 25 years, there have been real wins: Child mortality has dropped. Access to electricity and the internet has expanded. Diseases like HIV and malaria have retreated in many places. The 2022 summit paired its €150 billion investment with new agreements on vaccine access and a renewed push to address global inequalities.
The summits occur roughly every three years, bringing together Heads of State and Government to take stock of what has been achieved, set joint priorities, and issue declarations that guide policy and investment. Here’s a closer look at what’s at stake for this year’s summit and why it’s a pivotal moment for our youth advocates.
Why this summit matters now
Big promises have been made at these summits through the years. Still, promises often outpace realities. Africa’s population is projected to double within a generation. Climate emergencies intensify. Debt burdens limit public spending. Ambitious blueprints like the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the EU’s Global Gateway provide direction, but what matters is how these plans are translated into real change. Decisions in Luanda will shape access to education, healthcare, jobs, and justice for young people across both continents.
Youth voices are speaking up
Against this backdrop, African and European youth advocates’ voices are joining the conversation. As this group of young people and the partnership itself reach 25 years of age, activists are asking leaders to decide what kind of force this relationship will become over the next quarter century.
The Luanda summit provides a chance for leaders to match words with action. The policy recommendations of ONE’s young advocates align with the official agenda in many areas: sustainable financing, health, education, mobility, and inclusion. For this partnership to retain credibility, it must deliver concrete progress.
Looking forward
If today’s commitments lead to real investment, transparent decisions and genuine partnership with youth voices, when these African and European youth advocates turn 50, they will be able to say they helped shape a fairer partnership. One that gave every generation the chance to dream bigger, reach higher, and build a future worthy of their potential. The next 25 years starts in Luanda, on 24-25 November 2025.