Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what diplomatic engagement they have with the African Union.

The UK's strategic approach to Africa is closely aligned with the African Union's (AU) 'Agenda 2063' that sets out the framework and objectives for the AU's work. We work closely with the AU on peace and security issues, trade, health, and climate issues. The AU leads on the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), mediation efforts in Sudan and supports security in the Sahel. The AU is a champion of continental trade, as shown by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) under which trading began on 1 January 2021. We are investing up to £20 million in the AU's COVID-19 Response Fund and worked closely with the AU on the development of their Green Recovery Action Plan to ensure Africa builds back sustainably from the pandemic.

The Minister for Africa underlined the importance of the UK-AU partnership when he met Chairperson Faki at the Ghanaian Presidential inauguration in January 2021. HM Ambassador Dr Alastair McPhail CMG OBE is the UK's Permanent Representative to the African Union and the Deputy Permanent Representative holds Ambassadorial rank. They are supported by an extensive team working across the Africa Strategy objectives to further the UK-AU Strategic Partnership.