EU and Nigeria boost cooperation on research and learning mobility
On April 11 2024, at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen showcased the European Union’s strong commitment to education and health equity, signing with Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, a cooperation agreement on €18 million EU support to enhance research and development capacities for implementing Nigeria’s national plan for the pharmaceutical industry and local production of vaccines and medical technologies.
Global Gateway: The EU launches new regional initiatives in Africa to boost youth mobility and skills, including the unique Africa-Europe Youth Academy
On April 11 2024 at the Global Gateway High-Level Event on Education in Brussels, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen launched new regional programmes boosting youth mobility and skills in Africa.
The Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training, the Africa-Europe Youth Academy and 15 new projects under the flagship Youth Mobility for Africa highlight the EU’s commitment to empowering African youth with education.
EU Ambassadors (COREPER I) found qualified majority on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive
On March 15, 2024, the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (COREPER I), endorsed the final compromise text on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive.
Following the trialogue between the representatives of the three insitutitions held on 13 December 2023, a draft overall compromise package was agreed by the Permanent Representatives' Committee.
Global Gateway: Over €200 million allocated to boost Uganda’s economy and create new jobs
During the high-level Business Forum “Boosting Trade and Investment. What can Uganda gain from the Global Gateway?”, held on March 6, 2024, eight new projects with a total financial envelope of over €200 million have been launched to support small business owners, young female entrepreneurs, agribusinesses as well as vital digital infrastructure projects in full Team Europe format with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and several Member States.
EU and Rwanda sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains
On February 19 2024, the European Union and Rwanda have entered an important agreement to nurture sustainable and resilient value chains for critical raw materials. Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Biruta, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen Rwanda's role in fostering sustainable development and resilient value chains across Africa.
The European Union continues to implement the Memorandum of Understanding with Tunisia with the disbursement of EUR 150 million in financial support
The European Union maintains its commitment to Tunisia through the disbursement of financial aid in the form of budgetary support worth EUR 150 million under the support programme for macroeconomic reforms by Tunisia(programme d'appui aux réformes macro-économiques de la Tunisie (PARME)) approved by the EU and Tunisia in December 2023.
The European Commission launches new migration partnership with Mauritania
On March 7 2024, the European Union has strengthened the cooperation between EU and Mauritania by launching a migration partnership and dialogue. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson together with the Mauritanian Minister of Interior and Decentralisation, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, have signed a Joint Declaration launching an EU-Mauritania migration partnership.
EU-Angola: Council gives final greenlight to the EU’s first sustainable investment facilitation agreement
On 4 March 2024, the Council adopted a decision on the conclusion of the sustainable investment facilitation agreement (SIFA) between the European Union and Angola. This agreement will make it easier to attract and expand investments while integrating environment and labour rights commitments in the EU-Angola relationship.
EU provides initial €171 million in humanitarian aid for Greater Horn of Africa region
People in the Horn of Africa are facing mounting humanitarian needs as the region is plagued by multiple conflicts, climate extremes and economic shocks. Around 65 million are estimated to be in immediate need of assistance. The EU announced on February 27 2024, an initial allocation of €171 million in humanitarian aid to the region. This funding is in addition to €72 million already announced for Sudan. Overall, the total initial allocation for humanitarian aid to the Greater Horn of Africa in 2024 is €243 million.
Global Gateway: Côte d’Ivoire and the EU unite to safeguard forests and combat illegal logging
On the 19th of February 2024, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen, Ivorian Minister of Water and Forests Laurent Tchagba, and Ambassador, Belgian Permanent Representative to the European Union, Willem van de Voorde, signed a legally binding trade agreement to promote sustainable trade of legal timber to the EU. Through this agreement, Côte d’Ivoire will improve forest governance, modernise its forestry sector and address illegal logging and associated trade. At the same time, the agreement will give EU-based timber buyers assurance that timber products from Côte d’Ivoire are legal.