AU–CELAC Dialogue Highlights Diaspora’s Role in Justice and Development

A high-level Africa–Latin America and Caribbean dialogue held in Bogotá has underscored the growing importance of the African diaspora as a key driver of justice, development, and global solidarity.

The event, organized by the African Union Commission’s Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO), took place on March 20, 2026, on the sidelines of the 33rd CELAC Summit. It brought together representatives from African Union member states, CELAC countries, diaspora leaders, academics, business figures, and civil society organizations.

Participants emphasized the need to build a structured trilateral partnership linking Africa, CELAC, and the African diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean. The discussions highlighted the diaspora’s role as a cultural, political, and economic bridge, as well as a central actor in advancing historical justice, sustainable development, and inclusive policymaking.

Opening remarks stressed the urgency of translating political commitments into practical initiatives focused on justice, development, collective memory, and global solidarity. Speakers also called for permanent institutional mechanisms to strengthen coordination between the African Union and CELAC, with structured diaspora participation in policy design and implementation.

The dialogue addressed historical justice and reparations, with participants calling for coordinated legal and diplomatic efforts to confront the legacy of transatlantic slavery, colonialism, and racial discrimination. Speakers emphasized the importance of linking historical accountability with present-day development and equality, as well as preserving the shared historical memory of African-descended communities.

Economic cooperation was another key focus, with discussions highlighting the diaspora’s potential to strengthen trade, investment, and value chains between Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants called for the creation of sustainable platforms connecting diaspora investors with financial institutions, alongside joint projects in infrastructure, green economy, and creative industries.

Cultural cooperation was also highlighted as a powerful tool for strengthening ties. Speakers called for greater inclusion of African-descended history in education systems, expanded cultural exchange programs, and increased collaboration in arts, literature, and film to reinforce shared identity and living memory.

In the closing session, participants presented key recommendations, including the need to transform discussions into a concrete joint action plan, ensure institutional follow-up, and align outcomes with African Union frameworks—particularly initiatives related to justice and reparations.

The event was framed as a practical contribution to the African Union’s “Decade of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent (2026–2035),” reinforcing the role of partnerships with CELAC and diaspora communities in advancing a shared agenda.

Organizers stressed that the dialogue demonstrated a clear political will and readiness to move from rhetoric to action, with a focus on building networks among policymakers, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and civil society actors across Africa and the diaspora.