New York, USA/ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COUNCIL September 18th, 2025

ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COUNCIL

September 18^th, 2025

MEDIA ADVISORY

ECOSOCC hosts African CSO side events at UNGA80

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: African Civil Society Side Events at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80)

Who: Organized by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) in partnership with TrustAfrica, the Federation of African Journalists, Akina Mama wa Afrika, the Women’s International Peace Centre, Oxfam, and Ford Foundation. Participants will include African civil society leaders, policymakers, academics, journalists, and international partners.

When: 20–25 September 2025

Where: New York, USA

Background: As world leaders gather for the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, African civil society organizations (CSOs) will host a series of side events to bring African perspectives into key global debates. The program will address pressing issues including diaspora engagement, reparations, democracy, governance reform, and Africa’s role in global decision-making.

These sessions will provide space for dialogue between African CSOs, international partners, and policymakers, ensuring that civil society voices contribute meaningfully to the UNGA80 agenda.

Program of Side Events:

Opening Session – Africa CSO Engagement Launch

Saturday, 20 Sept | 14:00–17:00 EST

Jay Conference Empire, 8 W 38th St, 3rd Floor

Networking Evening & 40 Years of Akina Mama wa Afrika

Saturday, 20 Sept | 17:00–20:00 EST

Empire Rooftop, Jay Conference Empire, 3rd Floor

Colloquium on Diaspora Engagement and the Reparations Agenda

Monday, 22 Sept | 15:00–17:00 EST

AU New York Office, 305 East 47th St, 5th Floor

Fireside Dialogue: Africa at UNGA80 – The End of a Historical Cycle and the New World Order

Wednesday, 24 Sept | 10:00–13:00 EST

Jay Suites, Beatles Room, 515 Madison Ave, 10th Floor

Bridging Opportunities for Leadership and Democracy

Wednesday, 24 Sept | 14:00–17:00 EST

Jay Suites, Beatles Room, 515 Madison Ave, 10th Floor

Strategic Roundtable: Africa’s Place in Global Governance – From Reflection to Action (Closed Session)

Thursday, 25 Sept | 10:00–13:00 EST

369 Lexington Ave, 3rd Floor

Key Objectives:

• Provide African CSOs with a platform to engage global decision-makers at UNGA80.
• Highlight African perspectives on reparations, governance, and democracy.
• Strengthen Africa’s role in shaping global governance reform.
• Build partnerships between African CSOs, the diaspora, and international allies.

Expected Outcomes:

• A stronger civil society voice at UNGA80.
• Concrete proposals on reparations, democracy, and global governance reform.
• Deeper collaboration between African CSOs and international partners.

Participation:

• ECOSOCC leadership and senior officials
• African Union Commission representatives
• Civil society organizations and networks from across Africa
• African diaspora representatives
• International partners, academics, and experts
• Media representatives and observers

The media are invited to cover the sessions starting from Saturday, 20 September 2025 at 14:00 EST at Jay Conference Empire, 8 W 38th St, 3rd Floor, New York.

More information: https://ecosocc.au.int/en/events/african-csos-voices-unga-80

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For further information:

Ms. Carol Jilombo | Senior Communications Officer | AU ECOSOCC Secretariat | E-mail: Jilomboc@africanunion.org  | Lusaka, Zambia

About ECOSOCC

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) was established in July 2004 as an Advisory Organ composed of different social and professional groups of AU Member States. The mandate of ECOSOCC is to contribute, through advice, to the effective translation of the objectives, principles and policies of the African Union into concrete programmes, as well as the evaluation of these programmes.

Learn more at: https://ecosocc.au.int/;

Facebook: African Union ECOSOCC; Twitter: @AU_ECOSOCC