WASHINGTON, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A number of African leaders will be guests of the American government in mid-December 2022 when President Joe Biden hosts the first in-person summit with his peers.
The United States has been under increasing pressure to assert its influence on the continent amid a growing role economic giant and rival China is exerting in the area of infrastructure development and loans.
A July 20 statement from the White House noted that the agenda for the meeting will include among others, building “on our shared values to better foster new economic engagement; reinforce the US-Africa commitment to democracy and human rights.”
Other areas of consideration will be to, “mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and of future pandemics; work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health; promote food security; advance peace and security; respond to the climate crisis; and amplify diaspora ties.”
Biden last year joined the African Union summit of Heads of State via virtual means at the height of COVID-19.
Statement by President Biden on the US-Africa Leaders Summit: “I look forward to hosting leaders from across the African continent in Washington, DC on December 13-15, 2022, for the US-Africa Leaders Summit.
“The Summit will demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa, and will underscore the importance of US-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities.
“The US-Africa Leaders Summit will build on our shared values to better foster new economic engagement; reinforce the US-Africa commitment to democracy and human rights; mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and of future pandemics; work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health; promote food security; advance peace and security; respond to the climate crisis; and amplify diaspora ties.
“I look forward to working with African governments, civil society, diaspora communities across the United States, and the private sector to continue strengthening our shared vision for the future of US-Africa relations.”
