World Public Summit Africa & “Unity” Art Exhibition: A New Era for African Diplomacy

For the first time in its history, the World Public Summit is being held on the African continent . On July 29–30, 2026, Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, will host the inaugural World Public Summit Africa, bringing together over 700 government leaders, diplomats, business executives, academics, innovators, civil society representatives, and cultural figures from across Africa and beyond .

The summit is being held under the theme “A New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future” . It is organised by the World Peoples Assembly in partnership with the Global Black Centre and several international organisations .

Why This Summit Matters

The gathering comes at a time of significant geopolitical change, with African countries increasingly seeking greater influence in global decision-making processes . Organisers contend that traditional state-to-state diplomacy is no longer sufficient to address contemporary challenges and opportunities. Instead, they advocate for broader engagement involving citizens, civil society organisations, educational institutions, businesses, and cultural actors .

As Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary-General of the World Peoples Assembly, put it: “Today, we understand more clearly than ever: the future cannot be built alone. It is born in dialogue, in trust, in the ability to listen to one another and to act together” .

The “Unity” Art Exhibition: Cultural Centrepiece of the Summit

One of the most significant events at the summit is the “Unity” exhibition, featuring artists from 16 African countries alongside an Afro-Brazilian artist, reflecting Africa’s enduring cultural connections across the diaspora .

Participating Countries and Artists

Countries: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe .

Featured Artists:

More Than Art: A Platform for Cultural Diplomacy

Curated around the theme “Unity,” the exhibition explores shared identity, cultural memory, hope, and the future through diverse artistic voices . Rather than presenting Africa as a single narrative, it celebrates the continent’s remarkable cultural diversity while highlighting the common values that connect its peoples .

Belyaninov emphasised the significance of art in diplomacy: “Art is one of humanity’s most universal languages and one of the most effective instruments of public diplomacy. It brings people together where words alone may fail, helping us discover what unites us despite our differences” .

Read Also: Africa Took Over the World Cup with Electrifying Performances from Burna Boy, Rema, and Tyla

What’s on the Agenda?

The two-day summit will feature:

Five Thematic Tracks

1. “Genuine Sovereignty” – Strengthening national resilience through investments in infrastructure, food security, and information systems .

2. “Youth Leadership” – Education, employment, and leadership development for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population .

3. “Innovations for the Future” – Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, infrastructure modernisation, and media evolution .

4. “Creativity and Cultural Diplomacy” – Leveraging Africa’s rich cultural heritage to strengthen international partnerships and build trust .

5. “International Scientific and Educational Cooperation” – Cross-border research, academic partnerships, and knowledge exchange as drivers of sustainable development .

Additional Events

• Innovation Exhibition: A 1,200-square-metre showcase of solutions in food technology, cybersecurity, financial technology, smart transport, education, and digital infrastructure .

• International Business Cooperation Platform: Facilitating business-to-business and government-to-business engagements .

• ADWA Victory Memorial Museum: Award ceremony for the regional stage of the “Leader of Public Diplomacy” competition, followed by a large-scale cultural programme .

Special Initiative: The Zambezi River Project

The summit will also launch “The Zambezi River: Economy, Society, Soul,” an international interdisciplinary scientific study examining the socioeconomic impact of the Zambezi River across six countries: Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique .

Key Outcomes

Delegates are expected to adopt the African Communiqué (Addis Ababa Declaration), reflecting proposals and recommendations for strengthening humanitarian, educational, cultural, and public cooperation between African countries and other regions of the world .

Other anticipated outcomes include:

• The establishment of an African Network of Public Diplomacy

• A community of African public diplomacy leaders

• A World Peoples Assembly Business Club in Africa

• A media platform dedicated to public diplomacy and African storytelling 

The outcomes of the Addis Ababa summit will be presented at the Second World Public Assembly “A New World: Values That Unite” in Moscow on September 18–19, 2026 .

The Bigger Picture

The Addis Ababa gathering is the first of six regional summits planned for 2026, culminating in the flagship World Public Summit. Additional regional forums are scheduled for India, the Arab world, Latin America, Europe, and Russia .

Tsegaye Chama, General Secretary of the Global Black Center, summed up the significance: “The summit will be delivered with exceptional distinction, reflecting the magnitude and spirit of the World Peoples Assembly. It embodies a unity that is not transactional, but purposeful and conscious — a unity that shapes new contours for a world that works for all peoples” .

Key Takeaways

Sources and Further Reading

1. KBC Digital. (2026, June 23). Addis Ababa to host landmark World Public Summit Africa.

2. KBC Digital. (2026, July 22). Africa’s greatest artists gather for first-ever World Public Summit in Ethiopia.

3. Daily News – Tanzania. (2026, July 22). Africa’s greatest artists gather for first-ever World Public Summit in Ethiopia.

4. Newswatch (Nigeria). (2026, June 23). Africa Takes Centre Stage as Addis Ababa Hosts the World Public Summit.

5. Business Now. (2026, July 23). Africa’s top artists gather in Ethiopia as World Public Summit opens.

6. Pressenza. (2026, July 22). Global Leaders Head to Addis Ababa for First-Ever World Public Summit in Africa.

7. Mwananchi. (2026, June 24). Addis Ababa to host Africa summit on diplomacy, innovation and development.

8. Africa Business News. (2026, July 24). Africa’s Top Artists Gather for Ethiopia Summit.

9. Ethiopia Today. (2026, July 23). Addis Ababa to Host Inaugural World Public Summit Africa.