AFRICAN leaders and the European Union have agreed on the importance of open dialogue regarding new EU environmental regulations, such as CBAM and EUDR, to prevent African exporters from being disadvantaged.

CBAM and EUDR are two separate EU regulations from the Green Deal that require companies to provide transparency across their supply chains, mandating that products placed on the EU market are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR is different from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as it imposes a carbon cost on certain imported goods to level the playing field with EU products that have a carbon price, an online entry explains. 

The leaders concluded their 7th summit in the Angolan capital of Luanda on Tuesday, with a strong reaffirmation of their unique and strategic alliance, where Tanzania was represented by Vice-President Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi.

The meeting marked 25 years of the AU–EU partnership, with a call to accelerating cooperation on peace, security, climate action and sustainable development, welcoming the progress made since the last summit in 2022. 

They firmly committed to realizing the Joint Vision 2030 aligned with Africa's Agenda 2063, the EU’s strategic priorities and the global 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, the VPO said in a statement yesterday

To deepen economic integration, the two blocs expressed commitment to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) rollout by developing sustainable value chains, particularly in critical minerals, it said.

They highlighted significant concerns over debt sustainability, urging comprehensive reforms to the global debt architecture with broader eligibility for debt relief and reduced borrowing costs for African nations, it specified.

Under the theme of building a prosperous and sustainable future, the Summit welcomed progress under the Global Gateway Africa–Europe investment package, emphasizing the vital role of public–private financing in driving development. 

They praised the expansion of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) into several African countries and the launch of the Mediterranean Pact, directing the focus on infrastructure and the green transition, it said. 

Key commitments included improving transport connectivity, implementing the Lobito Corridor development, expanding renewable energy access and bridging Africa’s digital divide, with both sides pledging support for the Africa single electricity market and responsible artificial intelligence adoption, it emphasized.

Reflecting on the partnership's resilience amid complex geopolitical challenges, the leaders vowed to deepen collaboration to foster integrated, prosperous and peaceful continents, by upholding international law, multilateralism and the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, it stated.

On the critical issue of peace and security, the summit reiterated support for lasting resolutions in conflict-affected zones globally, including Ukraine and African hotspots, voicing grave concern over escalating violence in Sudan, atrocities in El-Fasher and the need for an immediate ceasefire, while backing mediation efforts on the DRC and the Sahel, it further noted.

The leaders praised long-standing cooperation through the African peace and security architecture, reaffirming support for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to ensure sustainable financing for AU-led peace operations through predictable funding.

On the health sector, the leaders called for reforms to global health governance, expanded digital health systems and strengthened pandemic preparedness, increasing the local manufacturing of vaccines and medical products. The role of the Africa CDC and the African Medicines Agency were equally emphasized, it asserted.

Heavily investing in education, youth empowerment, culture and scientific research to drive innovation and mutual understanding were stressed, including promoting cultural exchange and cooperation on the restitution of cultural assets, it affirmed. 

The summit concluded with palpable optimism for the future, demonstrating a shared dedication to advancing prosperity for both continents, the statement added.