Organizers have announced that the first-ever World Public Summit Africa will take place in Addis Ababa in mid-July of this year. More than 600 lenders, policymakers, innovators, academics, and civil society representatives from across Africa and around the world are expected to participate in this historic forum, which will be held on July 29 and 30.
Hosted at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) hall, the summit will be guided by the theme “New World: Africa In Shaping a Common Future.” The event is being organized by the World Peoples Assembly in partnership with the Global Black Centre and various international organizations.
Organizers stated that the summit will create a major platform to advance dialogue and cooperation through public diplomacy, cultural exchange, and economic partnerships at a time when Africa is striving to increase its role in global decision-making.
There is a growing belief that traditional state-to-state diplomacy alone is no longer sufficient to address contemporary global challenges and opportunities. Instead, organizers emphasized in a statement that broader engagement involving citizens, civil society organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and cultural actors is highly necessary. They noted that the summit reflects a new international approach that prioritizes people-to-people cooperation, mutual respect, and shared development goals.
This two-day summit will feature high-level panel discussions, five distinct thematic areas, an international business cooperation forum, a 1,300-square-meter innovation exhibition, and an international awards ceremony. The event will conclude with a concert at the Adwa Memorial Complex, expected to be attended by more than 2,000 participants.
Discussions will focus on five core themes considered critical to Africa’s future development. The first track, “Genuine Sovereignty,” will deliberate on strategies to strengthen national resilience by investing in food security, infrastructure, and information systems, enabling Africa to remain self-reliant while actively participating in global cooperation. The second track, “Youth Leadership,” will focus on equipping Africa’s rapidly growing youth population with education, employment, and leadership skills to make them competitive in the global economy.
Under the third theme, “Innovations for the Future,” experts will extensively discuss artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, infrastructure modernization, and the social implications of technological change. The fourth track, “Creativity and Cultural Diplomacy,” will focus on leveraging Africa’s rich cultural heritage to strengthen international partnerships and build mutual trust among communities. The fifth theme, “International Scientific and Educational Cooperation,” will examine ways to utilize cross-border research and academic partnerships for sustainable development.
Beyond the discussions, a business forum themed “From Trust Between Peoples to Trust Between Economies” will facilitate direct networking in trade and investment between African and international partners. The exhibition will showcase new innovations in food technology, cybersecurity, financial technology (FinTech), and smart transportation.
The summit aims to achieve practical outcomes that extend far beyond the event itself. These include establishing an African Network of Public Diplomacy, creating a dedicated media platform for African storytelling, and adopting four key documents, including an African Communiqué. This Addis Ababa gathering marks the first of six regional summits planned worldwide, with subsequent forums scheduled for India, America, Europe, and Russia.
