The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative Organ of the African Union (AU), wishes to inform members of the media that the opening ceremony of the 13th Annual Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments will take place tomorrow, 29 September 2025, at the seat of the Parliament in Midrand, South Africa. The two-day conference will be held under the theme:“Transforming Parliaments for Citizen-Driven Continental Integration, Sustainable Development, Prosperity and Peace, and Enhancing Africa’s Dynamic Role on the Global Stage.”
Members of the press are invited to attend and cover the Conference of African Speakers under the following details:
WHAT: 13th Annual Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments
WHEN: 28-29 September 2025
WHERE: (In-person) Pan-African Parliament Headquarters: 19 Richard’s Drive, Gallagher Estate, Midrand, South Africa.
WHO: Pan-African Parliamentarians, Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments, Members of National and Regional Parliaments, Clerks of National and Regional Parliaments, Government Officials, Civil Society Organizations, Academia, African Union Member States, African Union Organs and Institutions, United Nations Organs and Bodies, and the Diplomatic Corps.
CONTEXT:
The 2025 Conference, convened under the theme,“Transforming Parliaments for Citizen-Driven Continental Integration, Sustainable Development, Prosperity and Peace, and Enhancing Africa’s Dynamic Role on the Global Stage”, will serve as a high-level platform for parliamentary political leadership to deliberate on strategic issues of continental and global significance. It will highlight the dual responsibility of Parliaments to safeguard democracy and citizens’ rights while driving Africa’s transformation agenda, thus strengthening their collective contribution to Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Objectives of the Conference
The Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments will pursue a set of
interrelated objectives designed to consolidate the role of parliaments as enablers of Africa’s integration, drivers of sustainable development, and champions of democratic governance. These objectives reflect both Africa’s continental priorities and the evolving global context:
- Strengthen the role of parliaments in advancing continental integration:
The Conference will reaffirm the centrality of legislatures in accelerating the ratification, domestication, and implementation of AU treaties, policies, and protocols. This includes ensuring that continental aspirations articulated in Agenda 2063 and AU legal instruments are translated into enforceable national legislation and actionable national development plans. By harmonising national frameworks with AU commitments, parliaments will bridge the persistent gap between continental aspirations and the lived realities of African citizens, thereby giving tangible meaning to Africa’s integration project. - Foster dialogue on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): With the AfCFTA poised to become the world’s largest free trade area by population, the role of parliaments in creating enabling legislative and policy environments for intra-Africa trade is indispensable. The Conference will provide a platform for Speakers to deliberate on the legislative, budgetary, and oversight frameworks required to unlock Africa’s economic potential. Particular focus will be placed on industrialisation, trade facilitation, and removing non-tariff barriers. Parliaments will also explore how to ensure that AfCFTA implementation delivers inclusive benefits, especially for women, youth, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Explore innovative pathways for sustainable development and digital transformation: Recognising the transformative potential of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Conference will examine how parliaments can guide their responsible adoption in support of Africa’s development agenda. This entails developing legislation, policies, and oversight mechanisms that harness innovation for inclusive growth, decent job creation, and service delivery in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. At the same time, parliaments will reflect on how to safeguard democracy, human rights, and ethical values in the face of challenges posed by AI, such as misinformation and disinformation, cybersecurity risks, electoral integrity, and labour market disruptions. The Conference will also serve as a platform to validate the Pan-African Parliamentary Toolkit on AI Governance and secure commitments for its adoption, ensuring that African parliaments lead the continent’s digital future with accountability, inclusivity, and sovereignty.
- Promote parliamentary diplomacy and mediation as tools for peace and stability: In an era marked by persistent conflict, insecurity, and governance crises, parliaments play an indispensable role as mediators, peacebuilders, and promoters of reconciliation. The Conference will strengthen the capacity of Speakers to utilise parliamentary diplomacy in addressing disputes, preventing violence, and fostering inclusive dialogue. It will also highlight best practices and case studies where parliaments have contributed to trust-building and consensus in fragile and post-conflict contexts, reinforcing their role as guarantors of peace and stability on the continent.
- Leverage the P20 Symposium to deepen Africa’s engagement with the global parliamentary community: The Conference will provide a unique opportunity for African Speakers to amplify Africa’s voice in shaping international debates on sustainable development, global governance reform, and parliamentary innovation. By leveraging this platform, Africa’s parliamentary leadership will ensure that the continent’s perspectives, priorities, and common positions inform the emerging global order, particularly in the fields of trade, climate change, mining and resource governances, digital governance, and peacebuilding.
ACCREDITATION:
Accreditation is required for all media who wish to cover the Session in person at the seat of the Pan-African Parliament. Journalists should fill out the accreditation form at https://tinyurl.com/yeyjst3w and return it to jeffrey.onganga@panafricanparliament.org.
ONLINE/VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION:
Livestreaming and audio-visual content can be accessed through the following platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/panafricanparliament
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfrikParliament
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/panafricanparliament
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
For further information and general comments, please contact:
For all media inquiries, please contact:
- Jeffrey Onganga: jeffrey.onganga@panafricanparliament.org
