Public hearing on Financial assistance to Africa and Latin America - 28.06.2023

28-06-2023 - 16:40
A drawing of the planet Earth
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The BUDG Committee, together with Members of the AFET and DEVE Committees, discussed the EU budget and its impact on EU external action in Latin America and Africa. Speakers delved into some of the possibilities to increase the impact that the EU budget has in the regions in order to enable them to achieve sustainable and inclusive development and to future-proof their societies.

The first panel focused on financing strategic partnerships and cooperation with Latin America. The speakers discussed the EU's role as a leading partner in the region and its support for initiatives promoting sustainability, inclusive development and innovation. The first panel also presented the EU's ongoing and prospective cooperation in providing funding to Latin America, for instance with institutions such as the European Investment Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank in Europe.

The second panel discussed the EU's financial assistance and cooperation with Africa. This debate was set against the background of reoccurring crises in the continent, such as the food crisis at the beginning of 2023, as well as the EU's increasing ambitions aiming at developing a permanent partnership with Africa in the post-Cotonou era. The speakers focused on the financial capabilities of the EU to provide the necessary funding for sustainable transformation.