What: African Civil Society Side Events at UNGA80
Who: Organized by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) in partnership with TrustAfrica, the Federation of African Journalists, Akina Mama wa Afrika, the Women’s International Peace Centre, Oxfam, and Ford Foundation. Participants include African civil society leaders, policymakers, academics, journalists, and international partners.
When: 20–25 September 2025
Where: New York, USA
Background
As the United Nations commemorates its 80th anniversary under the banner “Building Our Future Together,” the world is navigating multiple, intersecting crises ranging from persistent conflict and global inequality to digital fragmentation, democratic backsliding, and a loss of trust in multilateral institutions.
The 2024 Summit of the Future adopted the Pact for the Future, structured around five pillars: Sustainable Development and Financing, International Peace and Security, Science, Technology and Innovation and Digital Cooperation, Youth and Future Generations, and Transforming Global Governance.
Guided by Agenda 2063, AU ECOSOCC and partners are convening strategic side engagements during UNGA80 to ensure Africa’s voice shapes global outcomes. Events include the Africa CSO Engagement Launch, the 40th anniversary of Akina Mama wa Afrika, diaspora dialogues on reparations, thematic sessions on leadership and democracy, the Fireside Dialogue: Africa at UNGA80, and a closed-door roundtable on post-Summit advocacy.
Together, these engagements spotlight Africa’s agency in advancing peace, reparative justice, digital cooperation, inclusion, and institutional reform while offering African-led contributions to a fairer global governance system beyond UN@80.
Program of Side Events
Saturday, 20 Sept | 14:00–17:00 EST
Jay Conference Empire, 8 W 38th St, 3rd Floor
Saturday, 20 Sept | 17:00–20:00 EST
Empire Rooftop, Jay Conference Empire, 3rd Floor
Monday, 22 Sept | 15:00–17:00 EST
AU New York Office, 305 East 47th St, 5th Floor
Wednesday, 24 Sept | 10:00–13:00 EST
Jay Suites, Beatles Room, 515 Madison Ave, 10th Floor
Wednesday, 24 Sept | 14:00–17:00 EST
Jay Suites, Beatles Room, 515 Madison Ave, 10th Floor
Thursday, 25 Sept | 10:00–13:00 EST
369 Lexington Ave, 3rd Floor
Key Objectives
- Provide African CSOs with a platform to engage global decision-makers at UNGA80.
- Highlight African perspectives on reparations, governance, and democracy.
- Strengthen Africa’s role in shaping global governance reform.
- Build partnerships between African CSOs, the diaspora, and international allies.
Expected Outcomes
- A stronger civil society voice at UNGA80.
- Concrete proposals on reparations, democracy, and global governance reform.
- Deeper collaboration between African CSOs and international partners.
Participation
- ECOSOCC leadership and senior officials
- African Union Commission representatives
- Civil society organizations and networks from across Africa
- African diaspora representatives
- International partners, academics, and experts
- Media representatives and observers
