Beyond the "Hidden Agenda": What the Aswan Forum Tells Us About the Future of International Cooperation

Translated by Maria Pia Longo 

"The European Union does not have a hidden agenda." This is likely one of the most significant statements made by the Ambassador of the European Union to Egypt, Angelina Eichhorst, in a video interview recently released on the official channels of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development. Although the footage dates back to the working sessions of the summit's fifth edition, the publication of the video shines a spotlight on a phrase that is unusual for diplomatic language. It is a direct statement that invites reflection on the evolution of Europe-Africa relations and, more broadly, on the strategic role of multilateral platforms in international governance.

In recent years, the Euro-African partnership has often been accompanied by strong reservations due to an approach sometimes perceived as paternalistic, characterized by a tendency to unilaterally define cooperation priorities. Compounding this is the suspicion that behind Brussels' investments lie primarily utilitarian agendas aimed at managing migration flows and securing energy supplies—crucial issues for European countries, but not always aligned with the development priorities of the African continent. Consequently, publicly denying the existence of a "hidden agenda" serves as a clear attempt to reshape the narrative, redefining how the European Union wishes to be perceived by its continental partners. It sends a strong political signal aimed at replacing the traditional donor-beneficiary logic with a partnership between equals.

The Ambassador's contribution took place within the framework of the Aswan Forum, a platform that has assumed an increasingly relevant role in international cooperation. Bringing together representatives from African governments, the European Union, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the United Nations, and numerous regional organizations, the Forum addresses issues that can hardly be resolved by a single actor: from food security to the water-energy-climate nexus, from migration management to healthcare cooperation, as well as crises affecting Sudan, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa.

As Eichhorst pointed out, the EU Delegation acts as an amplifier for individual EU Member States. Many of these governments participate through their ministers or directly finance the organizing think tanks (such as Egypt's Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding) to align humanitarian assistance and European cooperation projects with the official recommendations issued at the end of each forum edition (the so-called Aswan Conclusions).

What makes the Forum particularly compelling, however, is not only the importance of the topics covered, but the function it fulfills within the current multilateral system. In a historical moment marked by rising geopolitical tensions, protracted conflicts, and difficulties in achieving consensus within traditional international institutions, dialogue spaces capable of fostering political discussion prior to formal negotiation are becoming increasingly essential.

It is no coincidence that, during her intervention, Eichhorst repeatedly emphasized the need to "meet more," "talk more," and, above all, "listen to each other." Given the existence of established international organizations like the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union itself, why does the need arise to create platforms like the Aswan Forum?

The answer lies in the ongoing transformation of international governance. International organizations remain the primary venues for collective decision-making, yet the growing complexity of contemporary crises demands more flexible spaces capable of connecting governments, regional organizations, and international actors in a less constrained manner than traditional negotiating tables. Platforms like the Aswan Forum do not replace institutional multilateralism; rather, they complement it by creating opportunities for dialogue, trust-building, and political coordination.

The Ambassador's reference to the absence of a "hidden agenda" thus carries significant weight and reflects a shift in the language of European cooperation. Eichhorst stressed that the EU's goal is to start from the priorities outlined by African partners, identifying areas of common interest rather than imposing a predefined agenda. This message seeks to respond to the increasingly frequent calls from African nations for relationships grounded in greater reciprocity and a more balanced distribution of decision-making power.

Naturally, a fundamental question remains open: is changing the language of cooperation sufficient to genuinely transform its practices? The credibility of this narrative will depend on the European Union's ability to translate the principle of partnership into concrete forms of mutual collaboration, in which African priorities are not merely heard, but actively contribute to shaping joint policies.

In this sense, the Aswan Forum reflects a broader evolution in international governance, where cooperation is built not exclusively through formal treaties or official declarations, but also through platforms for dialogue that foster mutual trust, coordination, and a deeper understanding of each side's needs.

Perhaps this is the most significant takeaway from the European Ambassador's words. In an increasingly fragmented international system, the challenge is not only to preserve multilateralism, but to enable it to adapt to new requirements and modes of dialogue. If the Aswan Forum succeeds in establishing itself as a space where international organizations, regional institutions, and governments jointly build shared priorities, its value will extend far beyond that of an annual conference: it will serve as a laboratory for rethinking 21st-century international cooperation.

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