On Wednesday 12 February 2025, the Chamber of Commerce held its second exploratory meeting with the diplomatic community ahead of the Dakar 2025 Socio-Cultural Economic Forum. This major event is intended to be a catalyser for a new paradigm in Africa, based on the transfer of knowledge, the emergence of new trade axes and cultural exchanges between the African continent and the Eurasian region. The objective is to create synergy between the diverse economic, social and cultural sectors in order to promote inclusive and equitable development between nations.
During the meeting, teams from the Chamber of Commerce presented the forum's agenda and the thematic panels to representatives from the diplomatic sphere. Following the first meeting of the ICC, the diplomatic representatives provided a progress report on the collection of major projects in their respective countries. A series of proposals had already been submitted, but it was highlighted that it was necessary to include economic departments and business community associations in order to ensure maximum representativeness and a diversity of initiatives in line with the forum's aspirations.
Lastly, diplomatic representatives have been invited to actively communicate the agenda, as well as the project booklets, to their governments and to invite the authorities to be involved in this global event. This approach of opening up to national authorities and private operators, combined with an approach of inclusion and international cooperation, will make this forum a real lever for Africa and its partners. This collaborative dynamic aims to contribute to a future in which Africa will play a key role in global economic and cultural stakes.