The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received a high-level delegation from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), led by H.E. Francia Elena Márquez Mina, Vice President of the Republic of Colombia.
The Colombian delegation included Felipe Quintero Suarez, Vice Minister for Foreign Trade; Yeison Arcadio Meneses Copete, Ambassador of Colombia to Ethiopia; as well as representatives from government agencies and programmes.
Discussions focused on strengthening AU-CELAC cooperation, with particular emphasis on trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and multilateral collaboration.
The Chairperson highlighted the African Union’s deepening partnership with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), noting that the upcoming 2nd Africa-CARICOM Summit will unite African nations, Caribbean states, and the global African diaspora to advance unity, integration, and reparatory justice.
The Chairperson reaffirmed Africa’s interest in strengthening ties with Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly around shared priorities such as racial justice, reparations, peacebuilding, climate change, and sustainable development.
He also emphasized the need for closer coordination between AU and CELAC Member States in New York and Geneva to defend common interests at a time of growing challenges to multilateralism.
The Colombian delegation underlined the shared opportunities between Africa and Latin America as members of the Global South, highlighting ongoing negotiations in areas including air services, visa exemptions, and cultural and trade cooperation.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen economic and political cooperation, expressing optimism about building durable and mutually beneficial partnerships across diverse sectors.
