Opening Ceremony

Studio 1
Special Event
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
09:15 to 11:00

The Opening Ceremony was the high-profile launch for the EDD 2022. It laid the foundations for the powerful and inspiring debates to come, and set the tone for the event.

Heads of State and Government as well as Heads of International Organisations delivered keynote speeches outlining how they see the Global Gateway in the international and domestic contexts.

It was opened by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with Florence Ranson as Master of Ceremonies.

Synopsis

The opening ceremony of EDD 2022 highlighted the strength and importance of the partnership between EU and African nations. The Global Gateway was warmly welcomed by European and African leaders and applauded for enabling the co-designing of solutions to the climate crisis which would contribute to a fairer and more equitable world. With EU support, African nations can become climate resilient and compete on the global economic stage by becoming leaders in renewable energy production. Vaccine inequality was also discussed, in addition to the war in Ukraine and current efforts to work towards food security.

Organised by

Speakers

Moderator
Florence RANSON
Moderator
REDComms
Ursula VON DER LEYEN
President of the European Commission
Her Majesty the Queen of the Belgians, UN SDG ADVOCATE
King Letsie III OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO
Charles MICHEL
President of the European Council
Nana ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO
President of Ghana
Mohamed OULD CHEIKH EL GHAZOUANI
President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
José Maria Perreira NEVES
President of the Republic of Cabo Verde
Saara KUUGONGELWA-AMADHILA
Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia
John BRICEÑO
Prime Minister of Belize
Anatole Collinet MAKOSSO
Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo
Aziz AKHANNOUCH
Head of Government of Kingdom of Morocco
Werner HOYER
President of European Investment Bank
Odile RENAUD-BASSO
President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Jutta URPILAINEN
European Commissioner for International Partnerships

Photo gallery

Opening ceremony

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