ECOSOCC hosts African civil society organization (CSO) side events at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA80)
What: African Civil Society Side Events at UNGA80Who: 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 2025Where: New York, USABackgroundAs 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 EventsOpening Session – Africa CSO Engagement LaunchSaturday, 20 Sept | 14:00–17:00 ESTJay Conference Empire, 8 W 38th St, 3rd FloorNetworking Evening & 40 Years of Akina Mama wa AfrikaSaturday, 20 Sept | 17:00–20:00 ESTEmpire Rooftop, Jay Conference Empire, 3rd FloorColloquium on Diaspora Engagement and the Reparations AgendaMonday, 22 Sept | 15:00–17:00 ESTAU New York Office, 305 East 47th St, 5th FloorFireside Dialogue: Africa at UNGA80 – The End of a Historical Cycle and the New World OrderWednesday, 24 Sept | 10:00–13:00 ESTJay Suites, Beatles Room, 515 Madison Ave, 10th FloorBridging Opportunities for Leadership and DemocracyWednesday, 24 Sept | 14:00–17:00 ESTJay Suites, Beatles Room, 515 Madison Ave, 10th FloorStrategic Roundtable: Africa’s Place in Global Governance – From Reflection to Action (Closed Session)Thursday, 25 Sept | 10:00–13:00 EST369 Lexington Ave, 3rd FloorKey ObjectivesProvide 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 OutcomesA stronger civil society voice at UNGA80.Concrete proposals on reparations, democracy, and global governance reform.Deeper collaboration between African CSOs and international partners.ParticipationECOSOCC leadership and senior officialsAfrican Union Commission representativesCivil society organizations and networks from across AfricaAfrican diaspora representativesInternational partners, academics, and expertsMedia representatives and observersThe media are invited to cover the sessions starting from Saturday, 20 September 2025 at 14:00 EST at Jay Conference Empire, 8 W 38th St, 3rd Floor, New York.More information:ecosocc.au.int/en/events/african-csos-voices-unga-80 ...
