According to EU Commission President Ursula VON DER LEYEN's political guidelines for the new Commission 2024 to 2029, the European Green Deal creates the framework for a new "Clean Industrial Deal", which will lead the way towards the green, clean, circular, just and competitive economic transition.

In his opening remarks, the EU Ambassador further called on the EIB and European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI) to facilitate and significantly increase access to finance and scaling impact In Arica's green and blue economic transformation. He further informed the audience of more than 100 participants, plus even more online, that the EU works as Team Europe on this agenda. He also referred to the President VON DER LEYEN's announcement of a EUR 150 billion Africa-Europe Investment Package, to be delivered through EU's Global Gateway Initiative, at the Europe-Africa Summit in February 2022 in Brussels.

Matthias REUSING, the First Counsellor / Policy Advisor - Agriculture, Environment and Digital, further explained that the Team Europe approach was adopted through the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusion on 23 November 2023. The Council considers that the Team Europe approach increases the ability of the EU and its member states to work together with partner countries to address global challenges, mitigate their consequences and allow a social, green and digital transition, while upholding human rights, democracy, the rule of law and gender equality. To achieve this, it will be key to mobilize that the EU and its members states mobilize European companies to invest in joint ventures with the private sector in Africa, as to jointly increase sustainable impact investments in the green and blue economy.

Team Europe needs to join hands with Team Africa towards the clean, just and competitive economic transformation and the creation of future-oriented jobs for the growing number of youth in Africa. This is for the Planet, for the People and for Prosperity.