Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is set to host the World Public Summit for the first time on African soil, marking a significant milestone in the continent’s growing role in global dialogue and international cooperation.
The summit, scheduled for July 29 and 30, 2026, is themed, “A New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future,” and is expected to attract participants from all 54 African countries.
The event will bring together leaders in public diplomacy, representatives of international organisations, academics, experts, youth leaders, business executives, media professionals and civil society actors from across Africa and other parts of the world.
Organisers said the summit is being convened by the World Peoples Assembly in partnership with African organisations and will serve as a platform for discussions on sovereignty, sustainable development, education, science, cultural preservation, youth engagement, innovation and international cooperation.
The gathering builds on the First World Public Assembly held in Moscow in September 2025 and forms part of preparations for the Second World Public Assembly scheduled for September 18 and 19, 2026, in Moscow.
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The main business session of the summit will take place at the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, where participants will engage in plenary sessions, strategic dialogues and expert panel discussions.
Key areas of focus include values-based development, cultural diplomacy, youth leadership, education, innovation, infrastructure, food security, scientific cooperation, media engagement and technology-driven development.
Among dignitaries expected at the summit are senior representatives of the African Union, UNESCO and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
The event will also feature the regional award ceremony of the Fifth International Competition, Leader of Public Diplomacy, alongside a cultural programme celebrating Africa’s rich heritage and diversity.
A major outcome of the summit is expected to be the adoption of the African Communiqué, which will contain recommendations aimed at strengthening humanitarian, educational, cultural and public cooperation between African countries and other regions of the world.
The communiqué and other recommendations from the summit will be presented at the Second World Public Assembly later in the year.
Organisers say the summit reflects Africa’s growing influence in global affairs, driven by its expanding population, entrepreneurial growth, regional integration efforts and vibrant civil society.
