CEU San Pablo University hosts 1st Advocacy Meeting of CIDRA - Madrid, 19–20 January 2026

The 1st Advocacy meeting, hosted by CEU San Pablo University in Madrid and organised under the CIDRA Project (Creating a Joint Infrastructure for Dialogue, Research and Advocacy between Europe and Africa), brought together academics, policymakers, diplomats, institutional leaders, and business experts from Europe and Africa on 19 and 20 January 2026.

Over two days of high-level sessions, participants engaged in rich discussions on the strategic dynamics shaping EU–Africa relations in a rapidly shifting global context. Themes explored included EU–Africa cooperation in trade and investment, regional integration, public and private investment cooperation, and Spain’s role in advancing cross-continental relations.

The meeting agenda featured keynote speeches and expert panels with distinguished voices in international relations, governance and policy, covering topics such as common interests in global governance, opportunities for enhanced economic collaboration, and frameworks for inclusive partnerships that address shared challenges.

Speakers included senior academics, diplomats, economic advisors, trade experts and representatives from European institutions and African missions, fostering dialogue that bridged scholarly research with practical policymaking.

As part of the broader CIDRA initiative — a Europe-Africa academic and advocacy network funded by the EU under Erasmus+ — this meeting reaffirmed the commitment of universities and partner institutions to strengthen institutional cooperation and scholarly exchange, and to support just, equitable and forward-looking continental partnerships.

Participants and organisers emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration across disciplines, sectors and regions to tackle transnational challenges — from sustainable development and security to digital and trade integration — while deepening mutual understanding between Africa and Europe.

Day 1: Monday, January 19, 2026

Strategic Dialogue and Global Governance

The meeting commenced with an Opening Ceremony led by the project organizers:

• José Pardo de Santayana, RIDEE Vicepresident at CEU San Pablo University.

• Fabio Masini, CIDRA Coordinator from Roma III University.

• Jerónimo Maíllo, CEU CIDRA Coordinator and Chair Professor. 

The first day’s intellectual foundation was laid by Jorge Dezcallar, Ambassador of Spain and former Director of the National Intelligence Centre, who delivered the inaugural Keynote Speech.

Following this, Panel 1 explored common interests and global governance. Speakers included Ignacio Fuente Cobo (Senior Analyst at the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies) and Francisco Fonseca (Former Deputy Director General at the European Commission), moderated by Anna Sroka, former Ambassador of Poland. The evening concluded with a conference featuring Patricia Llombart, the EEAS Managing Director for Africa, who shared insights on the European Union’s strategic approach to the continent.

Day 2: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Trade, Investment, and Regional Integration

The second day shifted focus toward economic frameworks and practical cooperation.

• Panel 2: Trade and Regional Integration

  • Speakers: Cristina Serrano (Cabinet of the State Secretary for Industry), Enrique Fanjul (Trade Technical Expert), and Carlos Carnero (former MEP).

  • Moderator: Eva Massa (CEU San Pablo University).

• Panel 3: Public and Private Investment Cooperation

  • Speakers: Anna Armengol (Economic Analyst, European Commission), Marta Blanco (President of CEOE International), and Eva del Hoyo Barbolla (Senior Adviser, EIB Global).

  • Moderator: Allan Francis Tatham (Professor of EU Law). 

Following the midday sessions, Alberto Virella, former Ambassador-at-Large for Plan Africa, delivered a conference moderated by Ignacio Cartagena, advisor to His Majesty the King.

The final discussion, Panel 4, focused on the specific relationship between Spain and Africa. Insights were provided by Beatriz De Guindos (ICEX) and Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, the Ambassador of South Africa to Spain and Andorra, under the moderation of Carlos Echeverría.

Closing and Future Outlook

The event wrapped up with Closing Remarks from the lead organizers—José Pardo de Santayana, Fabio Masini, and Jerónimo Maíllo—who provided a synthesis of the two-day dialogue.

The success of this event paves the way for upcoming activities within the CIDRA network, including joint research initiatives, academic exchanges, and policy advocacy efforts aimed at designing resilient, cooperative frameworks for the future.