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Day 1: Forums

The first day of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit kicked off with a focus on the vital role of civil society and the strength of our African diaspora communities in the United States. It featured a range of sessions on topics from trade and investment, to health and climate change, to peace, security, and governance, to space cooperation.  

Keep reading to learn more about the Day 1 sessions and find links to watch the sessions on YouTube.

Tuesday, December 13, 2022 Schedule

African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum

“Amplifying Voices: Building Partnerships that Last”

As outlined in President Biden’s U.S.-Africa Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa, our African Diaspora is a source of strength. It includes African Americans, descendants of formerly enslaved Africans, and nearly two million African immigrants who maintain close familial, social, and economic connections to the continent. The African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum elevated our diaspora engagement to strengthen the dialogue between U.S. officials and the diaspora in the United States and provide a platform for young African and diaspora leaders to fashion innovative solutions to pressing challenges. The forum featured three breakout sessions on higher education, the creative industries, and environmental equity.

With appreciation to creative exhibitors featured during the African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum:

  • Aramanda, Fashion Designs
  • ZAAF Collection, Fashion Designs
  • Post-Imperial, Fashion Designs
  • Shani Crowe, “BRAIDS” photo collection
  • Oghosa Ebengho, Visual Artist, Afropolitan

Civil Society Forum

“Inclusive Partnerships to Advance Agenda 2063”

The vision for the Civil Society Forum related directly to three of the seven aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063: 1) a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development 2) an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law 3) an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential offered by African people, especially women and youth, and caring for children. The session elevated a diverse range of civil society voices on issues of importance in Africa and highlighted the importance of including African civil society voices throughout the Summit.

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Trade Ministerial

“Modernizing the United States’ partnership and engagement with Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen trade and investment relations and implement the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).”

The AGOA Ministerial was hosted by United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai with trade ministers from AGOA eligible countries, U.S. Members of Congress, senior officials from the U.S. government and the African Union; the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank, and Regional Economic Communities (REC). The Ministerial provided a platform to discuss AGOA implementation, including strengthening economic cooperation, expanding two-way trade and investment, supporting regional economic integration, and sharing perspectives on other key issues of mutual interest affecting U.S.-Africa trade.

convention center lobby, summit branding is the focus on the left, people on the right out of focus

U.S.- Africa Space Forum

“Strengthening the 21st Century U.S.-Africa Partnership in Space”

The U.S.-Africa Space Forum sought to leverage outer space to meet shared goals for the U.S.-Africa relationship here on Earth.  This Forum included discussion on the use of space to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and capacity building, and the role of the private sector in supporting U.S.-Africa Partnership.

Peace, Security, and Governance Forum

“Delivering Democracy and Security Dividends”

Within the framework of Innovative Solutions to Security through Partnerships, senior U.S. and African leaders exchanged views on how security, stability, and sustainable democracy require an integrated approach and clear focus on governance.  For example, security sector governance should focus on a holistic approach that involves managing reform processes within a framework of democratic control and oversight, involving a broad range of actors in and out of government, as well as nationally, regionally, locally, and multilaterally.  No one solution exists, as many of the contributing factors to security challenges are localized, requiring innovative solutions.  Therefore, a balanced and comprehensive approach that integrates different voices and partners provides the opportunity for more sustainable democracy and security dividends.  Three distinguished African Heads of State discussed inter-ministerial approaches to security, the role of communities and other partners, areas of focus in next 6-12 months.  U.S. Cabinet leadership representing diplomacy, development and defense discussed the strengths and challenges associated with a whole of government approach and explored how the U.S. and African countries can collaboratively innovate on solutions to security through partnership.

Partnering for Sustainable Health Cooperation

“Partnering for Sustainable Health Cooperation”

This session engaged high-level U.S. and African leadership in a multisectoral discussion to identify steps to deepen our partnership and strengthen cooperation around shared health priorities. The session took place in the context of longstanding, ongoing coordination between the U.S. Government, African nations, and the AU/Africa CDC on health priorities in the region. The discussion focused on ways in which sustainable financing, innovation, and health system strengthening can effectively address existing health security threats and protect against future shocks. The two panels focused on: 1) partnering to build resilient health systems and strengthen health security; and 2) investing in the health workforce to build more resilient health systems. It also explored ways to promote a robust health workforce in order to support healthier populations and build more resilient health systems.

Conservation, Climate Adaptation, and a Just Energy Transition

“Building Our Green Future Together”

This session explored the ways that the governments and peoples of the United States and African nations are partnering to address conservation, climate adaptation, and the just energy transition based on shared priorities. The discussion identified ways that we might better integrate natural resource planning and infrastructure development, including clean energy. Session focus areas include: 1) conservation including nature-based economies based on forests and wildlife and protecting Africa’s waters – ending Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing; 2) climate adaptation; and 3) the clean energy transition. Each segment highlighted the important role that women, girls, indigenous, and marginalized communities play as agents of change and focused on opportunities for sub-national engagement.

U.S. Department of State

The Lessons of 1989: Freedom and Our Future