Senator Coons statement on the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

“The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit strengthens U.S. engagement with nations across Africa. I am thrilled that the Biden administration resumed this important summit and recommitted to deepening relationships between the United States and African countries across a range of critical sectors.

“President Biden’s remarks yesterday showed how important the relationships between the United States and African nations are in the 21st century. Nations across Africa are true partners in trade, environmental protection, and security. The president’s call for the African Union to be admitted to the G-20 is a clear statement of that partnership.

“Today’s announcement of a new shared commitment to food security in Africa has the potential to alleviate a very real food crisis on the continent and make substantial progress by the next African Union Summit in 2023. It will ensure that African nations are more easily able to produce and utilize their own food through immediate and long-term investments so that the continent is less vulnerable to global shocks like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  

“This week, I’m also glad to have brought together African leaders to highlight the progress our partnerships are yielding on global conservation, strengthening the rule of law, and security cooperation.

“On Monday, the International Conservation Caucus Foundation and I hosted a reception to learn more about conservation efforts throughout the continent. President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon and President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana discussed their respective countries’ leadership on the issue, and the importance of preserving wildlife and conserving wild spaces while prioritizing human development.

“The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act, which I introduced with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), manages that balancing act by leveraging capital from the private and philanthropic sectors to fund as much as $2 billion for protected areas and the communities surrounding them over the next decade. When such conservation efforts are supported by local stewards, they have the opportunity to provide long-term benefits for not just Africa, but the whole world.

“On Tuesday, I hosted President Patrice Talon of Benin, Prime Minister Patrick Achi of Cote d’Ivoire, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, and President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo at an event in the U.S. Capitol to discuss security and economic challenges and the United States’ role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity throughout Africa.

“One topic of discussion was the Global Fragility Act, which I coauthored with Senator Graham. Under this legislation, signed into law in 2019, the United States works with local partners to reduce violence and build resiliency in selected countries around the world. Three years after its enactment, there are still a few challenges before full implementation. However, I was glad for the opportunity this week to discuss a successful path forward with U.S. government officials and African leaders from Coastal West Africa and Mozambique.

“Overall, I am more optimistic than ever about the future of American relations with the continent and its people. I look forward to working with our African partners to build on the progress made at the summit. Together, we will strive to address global health, invest in African businesses and entrepreneurship, promote the rule of law and human rights, and tackle climate change.”

Senator Coons is Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where he is a current member and former Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy. He is also Co-Chair of the Senate Climate Solutions and International Conservation caucuses.

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