The second edition of the Europe-Africa Forum will bring together a thousand participants from 15 to 16 May 2023 in Marseille, France, with innovation in the relationship between the two continents as the backdrop. AFRIK 21 is a partner of the event.
The Europe-Africa Forum opens on 15 May 2023 in Marseille, France. Organised by La Tribune and La Tribune Afrique, with the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the annual meeting will be held until 16 May. For this second edition, the thousand or so participants expected to attend will rethink economic, cultural and energy cooperation between Europe and Africa through the prism of innovation and the capitalisation of human resources. Hence the theme “New ambitions, new resources and new technologies”.
Indeed, cooperation between Europe and Africa aims to create an area of solidarity, security, peace and sustainable prosperity. It also aims to bring the citizens of the two metropolises closer together through joint projects carried out by public authorities and businesses. The terms of this cooperation are set out in various frameworks, in particular the Cotonou Agreement signed in 2000 and the Joint Africa-EU Strategy.
Innovation in the face of current emergencies
The terms of this cooperation are also part of the regional strategies for the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Guinea and the Sahel, given that the African continent, with its dynamic demographics, the vitality of its economic and cultural players, and its natural resources of energy and raw materials, is undoubtedly at the heart of global transitions. However, challenges remain.
Innovation, which will be discussed in Marseilles from 15 to 16 May 2023, is the key to meeting these challenges, in particular poverty, demographic growth, climate change, urbanisation, pollution, financing, terrorism, etc. Thus, the first day of the Europe-Africa Forum at the Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean will invite participants to discuss three questions, “the media’s view of the Europe-Africa relationship”, “What is the role of cinema in the Europe-Africa dialogue” and “Aix-Marseille-Provence, capital of Europe-Africa creative industries”.
The exchanges will continue on 16 May at the Palais du Pharo, a monument in Marseille, around four other themes. The theme “New ambitions and new collaborations” will raise the following issues: “How to rethink cooperation between the two continents? What economic awakening? FTAA: is there strength in numbers? What financing for the development of African economies? How are European and African cities adapting and innovating in the face of the climate emergency?
Converging towards sustainable development
The thousand or so participants in the 2nd edition of the Europe-Africa Forum will also be discussed on the theme of “New resources and new energy”. In the framework of this workshop, participants will discuss energy cooperation between the EU and the African Union (AU)? The agricultural revolution and growth to feed both continents? As well as the limits of innovation to meet the challenge of resource conservation.
“New infrastructures and new technologies” will be at the heart of the third workshop of this second day of the forum with the following issues: What will be the new Europe-Africa hubs to accompany green growth? Africa, the world’s start-up?
Finally, the focus will be on “New talents” in order to evaluate their education in the professions of tomorrow, as well as on women considered as actors of a new deal between Africa and Europe. This forum will be the highlight of the Europe-Africa Fortnight organised from 8 to 22 May by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis and the Bouches-du-Rhône Department.
For more information on the event, click here.
Inès Magoum
