9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé Holds Ministerial Session on Africa’s Role in Multilateralism
Wednesday, 10 December 2025 12:58 
(Togo First) - The second day of Togo’s 9th Pan-African Congress included a ministerial session on Africa’s role in multilateral institutions. The congress opened on Monday, Dec. 8, in Lomé.
The meeting was chaired by Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey and brought together several African ministers, African Union representatives and delegations from Caribbean and American states.
Discussions centered on ongoing reform efforts at the U.N. Security Council, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. Participants said the current multilateral system remains insufficiently representative of Africa’s economic and demographic weight.
They also discussed ways to strengthen the African Union’s Committee of Ten, which is tasked with defending Africa’s position in international negotiations.
The session comes amid renewed interest in Pan-Africanism. Several African states have long pushed for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council and for African priorities to be better reflected in multilateral policies. The Lomé discussions stressed the need for a common position to increase the continent’s negotiating power.
The congress’s second day was also devoted to committee work. Eight thematic groups examined issues related to the reform of international institutions, resource mobilization, the restitution of cultural heritage and sovereignty policies.
Organizers said additional panels will address Africa’s image, food security and economic integration.
Held under the auspices of Council President, Faure Gnassingbé, the congress aims to produce practical proposals to strengthen Africa’s influence in global governance.
R.E.D.
