Biden to host 2nd US-Africa Leaders Summit next year

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - US President Joe Biden will host the second US-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, the White House announced Friday in a statement.

"As part of the Biden Administration’s commitment to revitalizing global partnerships and alliances, President Biden will convene leaders from across the African continent for the second U.S. – Africa Leaders Summit next year," it said.

The summit will focus on strengthening relations with African partners based on principles of mutual respect and shared interests and values, it added.

"It will also serve as an opportunity to listen to and collaborate with African counterparts on key areas the United States and Africa define as critical for the future of the continent and our global community," read the statement.

The first summit, held in Washington D.C. in August 2014, was the largest event any American president has held with African heads of state and government, following former President Barack Obama’s trip to Africa in 2013.

The three-day summit was attended by leaders from 50 states of Africa, which focused on trade, investment and security of the continent.