On 7 October 2025, the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) will hold their 20th Annual Human Rights Dialogue, a crucial part of their regular dialogue within the framework of the AU-EU Partnership that celebrates 25 years (#AUEU25). The AU-EU partnership is unique in the strong emphasis it places on Human Rights and in the frequency with which the Human Rights Dialogue takes place, as we jointly work for safeguarding and promoting Human Rights in both Africa and in Europe.
On the road to the AU-EU Summit, scheduled for November 24-25 in Luanda, this Dialogue, held in Brussels and co-chaired by Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, and Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, promotes closer cooperation and policy exchange between the European Union and the African Union on human-rights protection.
This high-level meeting will gather representatives from the main entities in EU and AU covering these matters and engage representatives of civil society organisations from both continents. The participants from the AU represent the Department for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The EU is represented by the Special Representative for Human Rights, supported by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the European External Action Service and the European Commission.