Africa set to host historic first-ever World Public Summit in Addis Ababa
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Africa set to host historic first-ever World Public Summit in Addis Ababa
July 24, 2026 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Africa is set to make history as it hosts the World Public Summit for the first time, with Addis Ababa welcoming global leaders, policymakers and changemakers from July 29–30, 2026, under the theme: “New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future.”
The inaugural African edition of the summit marks a significant milestone in the continent’s growing influence on global governance, sustainable development, human-centred leadership and international cooperation.
Organised by the World Peoples Assembly in partnership with African and international organisations, the summit will bring together government officials, diplomats, business leaders, academics, journalists, youth representatives, civil society organisations and cultural leaders from across Africa and beyond.
World Peoples Assembly General Secretary Andrey Belyaninov said the summit represents far more than a high-level gathering.
“The Summit is not just a meeting—it is a space for unity. A space where the values that unite us come to life: respect for people, openness to the world, responsibility for the future, and a commitment to creation,” Belyaninov said.
He added that today’s global challenges require collective action rather than isolated efforts.
“We understand more clearly than ever that the future cannot be built alone. It is born in dialogue, in trust, in the ability to listen to one another and to act together.”
The programme opens on July 29 with a series of high-level roundtable discussions focusing on Pan-African economic integration, civil society, education, scientific cooperation, cultural diplomacy and humanitarian partnerships.
A key highlight will be the opening plenary session, “Values, Development and Partnership as the Basis of a Sustainable and Just World,” which will examine how African values, including the philosophy of Ubuntu, can contribute to building a more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable global order.
Delegates will also deliberate on youth leadership, innovation, ethical artificial intelligence, public initiatives and strengthening international partnerships to address shared global challenges.
Beyond policy discussions, the summit will celebrate Africa’s cultural and creative excellence through the “Innovations for the Future” exhibition, the contemporary African art exhibition “Unity,” and the international exhibition “The World Paints Happiness.”
Another major attraction will be “The Zambezi River: Economy, Society, Soul,” an interdisciplinary international project showcasing the river’s economic, cultural and environmental significance across Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The initiative highlights the river’s role as a shared heritage and catalyst for regional development.
The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the African Communiqué, outlining a shared vision for enhanced international cooperation, sustainable development and people-centred leadership.
General Secretary of the Global Black Center, Tsegaye Chama, said the event would reflect the spirit of unity championed by the World Peoples Assembly.
“The Summit will be delivered with exceptional distinction, reflecting the magnitude and spirit of the World Peoples Assembly.
It embodies a unity that is not transactional, but purposeful and conscious—a unity that shapes new contours for a world that works for all peoples of the world,” Chama said.
As delegates prepare to converge on Addis Ababa, expectations continue to rise for what is shaping up to be one of Africa’s most significant international gatherings of 2026, positioning the continent at the forefront of global conversations on the future of development, cooperation and inclusive leadership.
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