UNGA81: PAP and European Parliament Discuss Strategic Cooperation Roadmap

The Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament have moved towards developing a clearer and more results-oriented framework for cooperation between the two continental legislative institutions.

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Dr Fateh Boutbig, held discussions with Mrs. Sanna Lepola, Director-General of the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships, on the margins of the 81^st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The meeting focused on transforming the longstanding relationship between the two institutions into practical cooperation supported by defined priorities, implementation mechanisms and sustained follow-up.

Mrs Lepola heads the European Parliament directorate responsible for fostering parliamentary cooperation and legislative dialogue, supporting inter-parliamentary activities and promoting parliamentary democracy within Europe and beyond.

Turning institutional dialogue into practical action

A central issue during the discussions was the need to develop a clear roadmap covering the areas of partnership already identified by the Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament.

President Boutbig called for the agreements and priorities emerging from previous engagements including the inter-parliamentary dialogue held in 2025 to be translated into concrete programmes and measurable activities.

Such a roadmap could establish agreed objectives, timelines, responsible institutional structures and mechanisms for monitoring implementation. It would also help prevent cooperation between the two Parliaments from being limited to occasional meetings and declarations without adequate follow-up.

The proposed framework is expected to cover knowledge-sharing, institutional learning, technical cooperation and coordinated engagement on matters of common concern to Africa and Europe.

For PAP, the value of the partnership will depend largely on whether it strengthens the Parliament’s ability to represent African citizens, scrutinize continental policies, harmonize laws and contribute meaningfully to African Union decision-making.

Learning from the European Parliament’s institutional development

President Boutbig underscored the importance of drawing lessons from the European Parliament’s experience and institutional evolution as PAP continues its journey towards becoming a fully-fledged legislative body.

The European Parliament has developed over several decades from an institution with limited consultative functions into a directly elected legislature exercising substantial legislative, budgetary and oversight powers within the European Union.

While Africa’s political, constitutional and integration circumstances are different from those of Europe, aspects of that experience could offer useful lessons for PAP in areas such as committee development, legislative procedures, budgetary oversight, administrative capacity, inter-institutional relations, citizen engagement and cooperation with national parliaments.

The objective would not be to reproduce the European model mechanically, but to identify institutional practices that could be adapted to Africa’s distinct political and legal realities.

The Pan-African Parliament currently exercises consultative, advisory and oversight functions under its existing legal framework. Its eventual transformation into an institution with legislative authority remains tied to the entry into force of the 2014 Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union relating to the Pan-African Parliament, commonly known as the Malabo Protocol.

Strengthened engagement with the European Parliament could therefore provide technical and institutional support for PAP’s development while the continental Parliament continues to advocate for the ratification and implementation of the Malabo Protocol.

A partnership based on equality

President Boutbig expressed his commitment to strengthening relations between the two institutions during his tenure, particularly in relation to international developments and priorities shared by Africa and Europe.

He stressed that cooperation should serve the interests of the peoples of both continents on an equal footing.

That emphasis on equality is important within the broader Africa–Europe relationship, which has sometimes been criticized for reflecting an imbalance between donor and recipient or policy-maker and policy-taker.

A parliamentary partnership offers an opportunity to build a different form of engagement, one grounded in mutual respect, institutional dialogue and recognition that Africa and Europe face many interconnected challenges.

Climate change, irregular migration, violent extremism, armed conflict, public-health emergencies, food and energy insecurity, democratic decline and disruptions to international trade cannot be addressed sustainably by either continent acting alone.

Cooperation between their parliamentary institutions could bring democratic scrutiny and citizen-centred perspectives into policy discussions that are often dominated by executive institutions and diplomatic actors.

Early warning systems and joint declarations

Among the areas identified for possible collaboration were early warning systems, joint declarations and other coordinated parliamentary initiatives.

Stronger early warning cooperation could help parliamentarians monitor emerging threats to peace, constitutional order, democratic governance, human rights and regional stability.

Although parliaments do not ordinarily exercise the operational functions of governments or security institutions, they can contribute to prevention by holding hearings, requesting information, raising public awareness and pressing executive authorities to respond before crises escalate.

Joint declarations could also enable the two Parliaments to articulate common positions on urgent international issues. Where appropriate, coordinated parliamentary action could reinforce advocacy on peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, human rights, democratic governance and reform of the multilateral system.

For such declarations to have lasting value, however, they would need to be linked to committee work, parliamentary resolutions, oversight initiatives and engagement with the executive institutions of the African and European unions.

Building on the June engagement

The New York meeting built on discussions held in June 2026 between President Boutbig and Hon. Merja Kyllönen, a Finnish Member of the European Parliament and Chair of its Delegation for Relations with the Pan-African Parliament.

European Parliament records confirm that Kyllönen has chaired the delegation since October 2024. The delegation serves as an institutional channel for relations with PAP.

That earlier engagement helped restore momentum to the relationship following President Boutbig’s election as PAP President in April 2026.

The latest talks indicate that the two sides are now seeking to move from broad expressions of cooperation towards an agreed programme of action.

They also discussed a planned inter-parliamentary dialogue expected to take place during the Pan-African Parliament’s next Ordinary Session. The dialogue will provide an opportunity to assess the existing relationship, review progress on previously identified priorities and determine the most effective direction for future cooperation.

It could also allow Members of both institutions to engage directly on international issues affecting the two continents and identify areas where parliamentary action could complement existing intergovernmental cooperation.

Strengthening the parliamentary dimension of international affairs

The engagement in New York also addressed the need to reinforce the parliamentary dimension of international deliberations.

Global decisions are frequently negotiated by executive authorities, yet many of them require legislation, budgetary approval and domestic oversight before they can be implemented effectively.

Parliaments therefore occupy an important position between international commitments and national action. They can scrutinize agreements, question governments, approve funding and ensure that the interests of citizens are reflected in implementation.

Stronger cooperation between PAP and the European Parliament could help ensure that parliamentary perspectives are incorporated more consistently into Africa–Europe relations and wider international processes.

It could also expand the use of parliamentary diplomacy as an instrument for promoting peace, sustainable development, human rights, good governance and regional integration.

Advancing Africa’s voice at UNGA81

President Boutbig is leading a high-level PAP delegation to UNGA81 as part of the Parliament’s effort to strengthen Africa’s representation in global forums.

The delegation is participating in international discussions on development, climate action, pandemic preparedness, human rights, peace and inclusive global governance.

The meeting with Mrs. Lepola illustrates how PAP is using its presence at the General Assembly not only to contribute to formal UN deliberations, but also to cultivate partnerships capable of strengthening the institution over the longer term.

For the New York engagement to produce lasting results, the proposed roadmap will need to identify specific programmes, implementation timelines and accountability mechanisms. It should also ensure that cooperation is institutionalized beyond changes in political leadership.

A structured and mutually beneficial partnership between the Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament could strengthen both institutions’ contribution to international affairs while giving the citizens of Africa and Europe a more visible parliamentary voice in decisions affecting their shared future.