More than 600 leaders, policymakers, innovators, academics, and civil society representatives from across Africa and beyond are expected to gather in Addis Ababa on 29 and 30 July for the inaugural World Public Summit Africa. The international forum aims to redefine public diplomacy and strengthen Africa’s role in shaping global affairs.
Hosted at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) under the theme “New World: Africa in Shaping a Common Future,” the summit is organised by the World Peoples Assembly in partnership with the Global Black Centre and several international organisations. Organisers state that the event will serve as a platform for advancing dialogue, cooperation, and development through public diplomacy, cultural exchange, and economic partnerships.
The gathering comes at a time of significant geopolitical change, with African countries increasingly seeking greater influence in global decision-making processes. Organisers contend that traditional state-to-state diplomacy is no longer sufficient to address contemporary challenges and opportunities. Instead, they advocate for broader engagement involving citizens, civil society organisations, educational institutions, businesses, and cultural actors.
“The summit reflects a new approach to international engagement that prioritises people-to-people cooperation, mutual respect, and shared development goals,” organisers said in a statement.
The two-day event will feature a high-level plenary session, five thematic working platforms, an international business cooperation forum, a 1,200-square-metre innovation exhibition, and an international awards ceremony. More than 2,000 participants are also expected to attend a closing celebration and concert at the historic ADWA Memorial Complex.
Discussions during the summit will focus on five key themes considered critical to Africa’s future development and international engagement.
The first platform, “Genuine Sovereignty,” will explore strategies for strengthening national resilience through investments in infrastructure, food security, and information systems. Participants will examine ways African countries can enhance self-reliance while remaining active partners in global cooperation.
A second platform, dedicated to “Youth Leadership,” will focus on education, employment, and leadership development. Organisers say the discussions will highlight opportunities to equip Africa’s rapidly growing youth population with the skills and networks needed to compete and lead in a globalised economy.
Technology and innovation will take centre stage in the third platform, “Innovations for the Future.” Experts will discuss artificial intelligence, digital transformation, infrastructure modernisation, media evolution, and the social implications of technological change.
The fourth platform, “Creativity and Cultural Diplomacy,” will examine how Africa’s rich cultural heritage can be leveraged to strengthen international partnerships, build trust, and foster mutual understanding among nations and communities.
The fifth thematic track will focus on “International Scientific and Educational Cooperation,” highlighting the importance of cross-border research, academic partnerships, and knowledge exchange as drivers of sustainable development.
Alongside these discussions, the summit’s “International Business Cooperation Platform” will seek to strengthen economic ties between African and international partners. Operating under the theme “From Trust Between Peoples to Trust Between Economics,” the forum will facilitate business-to-business and government-to-business engagements while showcasing investment opportunities across the continent.
Participants will also have access to an innovation exhibition featuring solutions in sectors such as food technology, cybersecurity, financial technology, smart transport, education, and digital infrastructure.
A key objective of the summit is to deliver practical outcomes that extend beyond the event itself. Organisers plan to establish an African Network of Public Diplomacy to promote collaboration among practitioners and institutions working in diplomacy, development, and international engagement. The summit will also support the creation of a community of African public diplomacy leaders and the launch of a World Peoples Assembly Business Club in Africa.
Other anticipated outcomes include the development of a media platform dedicated to public diplomacy and African storytelling, as well as stronger partnerships between governments, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.
Delegates are expected to adopt four key documents at the conclusion of the summit: an African Communiqué, recommendations for the broader World Public Summit 2026, proposals to strengthen NGO cooperation across the continent, and initiatives for the development of a public diplomacy media platform.
The Addis Ababa gathering marks the first of six regional summits planned for 2026, culminating in the flagship World Public Summit under the theme “A New World: Values That Unite.” Additional regional forums are scheduled to take place in India, the Arab world, Latin America, Europe, and Russia.
Organisers say the Africa summit represents an important opportunity for the continent to shape emerging global conversations on diplomacy, development, and international cooperation while advancing a vision grounded in sovereignty, innovation, cultural exchange, and shared prosperity.
