By VICTOR OKOYE

Africa will host the World Public Summit for the first time when global leaders, diplomats, academics and civil society representatives gather in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from July 29 to July 30.

The summit, themed “A New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future,” will bring together experts, policymakers and change-makers to discuss sustainable development, public diplomacy and international cooperation.

Organised by the World Peoples Assembly and its African partners, the summit is expected to attract diplomats, academics, youth leaders, business representatives, media professionals and civil society groups from across the continent and beyond.

The event builds on discussions from the First World Public Assembly held in Moscow in September 2025 and serves as a key milestone ahead of the Second World Public Assembly scheduled for Sept. 18 and Sept. 19 in Moscow.

In a statement on Monday, the Organisers said Africa’s growing population, entrepreneurial drive, regional integration efforts and rich cultural heritage continued to strengthen the continent’s role in shaping global development.

According to them, discussions at the summit will focus on sovereignty, sustainable development, public diplomacy, cultural preservation, education, science, youth engagement and innovation.

The main business programme will take place on July 30 at the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa.

Organisers said the choice of venue reflected the summit’s pan-African outlook and commitment to promoting international dialogue and humanitarian cooperation.

Activities lined up for the event include plenary sessions, strategic dialogues and expert panel discussions on education, culture, youth leadership and international cooperation.

Confirmed participants include Prof. Saidou Madougou of the African Union, Rita Bissoonauth of UNESCO and Zuzana Schwidrowski of UNECA.

Ministers, public sector leaders and business representatives from several African countries are also expected to participate.

The ADWA Victory Memorial Museum will host the regional award ceremony of the Fifth International Competition, “Leader of Public Diplomacy”, followed by a cultural programme showcasing Africa’s heritage and promoting international cooperation.

A major outcome of the summit will be the adoption of the African Communiqué, which will contain recommendations on humanitarian, educational and cultural cooperation.

The communiqué and other outcomes of the summit will be presented at the Second World Public Assembly in Moscow.

According to Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary-General of the World Peoples Assembly, the summit will advance dialogue, cultural diversity and sustainable development.

“The Addis Ababa Summit is an important step toward building a new world founded on mutual respect and cooperation,” he said. (NAN)

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