Foreign ministers of the European Union and the African Union discussed three main themes: political aspects: peace, security and governance; economic aspects: trade, investment, and economic integration; multilateralism: strengthening cooperation in support of a rules-based global order.

As more and more people face humanitarian crises worldwide, the EU has adopted its highest ever initial annual humanitarian budget of €1.6 billion for 2019. From long-lasting conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, to the growing impact of climate change worldwide, humanitarian crises are worsening and conflict threatens aid delivery to those most in need.

New technologies, knowledge and innovations can be powerful drivers of inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development. In fact, investments in research, innovation and technology are considered instrumental to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda .

There is more than enough food produced in the world to feed everyone, yet 815 million people still go hungry every day. Moreover, global population is projected to rise to around 10 billion by 2050. In order to fight hunger and feed an extra two billion people in 2050, food production will need to increase by 50 percent.

European Parliament president, Antonio Tajani, called on Wednesday for stronger cooperation between Africa and Europe by organising yearly EU-Africa summits instead of now meeting only every three years.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Rwandan President Paul Kagame participated in the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe in Vienna on December 18. More than 50 official delegations from member states of the African Union and the European Union attended the forum, along with 1,000 innovators and representatives of companies and start-ups from Africa and Europe.

The 79-member African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States on Wednesday urged “vigorous support” for the United Nations in what it regards a “turbulent” global environment. ” Vigorous support for the United Nations to advance multilateralism will loom large in all the programmes and projects of the ACP in 2019,” ACP Secretary General, Dr. P. I. Gomes told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

The European Union has signed a financing agreement of EC$18.35 million (€5.98 million) with the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines for a road management and rural road improvement programme.

The European Commission has set out its ambitions for a comprehensive and innovative partnership between Africa and the EU called the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investments and Jobs. This includes a renewed determination to boost investment for job creation and to strengthen the role of the private sector.

At the Africa‑Europe High‑Level Forum in Vienna today (18/12/2018) the European Investment Bank formally agreed a total of EUR 495 million of new financing for three projects to support sustainable transport, clean energy and internet access projects in North, West and East Africa.