The Republic of Equatorial Guinea leads the fight against corruption and illegal financial transactions at the 33rd meeting of the African Union (AU) Ministers for Foreign Affairs.
Equatorial Guinea highlighted the high cost corruption adds to contracts and bids for services, and the importance of expanding financial access for women and youth.
Equatorial Guinea and other AU members agreed to the creation of free trade areas throughout the continent, including the movement of people, and the launch of the African single market for air transport.
Equatorial Guinea also highlighted the need for all Africans to have an African passport to be able to move more freely and allow for greater economic flexibility.
Equatorial Guinea and the AU this year is focused on beating corruption as a profitable way to develop Africa, the resolution of armed conflicts in order to silence weapons before 2020, economic transformation through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the empowerment and leadership of women in Africa.
Equatorial Guinea is a member of numerous multilateral organizations as part of its commitment to peaceful development. Their key partners include the United Nations (UN) agencies, programs and funds, the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), Arab League (AL), Organization of American States (OAS), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), African Development Bank (AfDB), Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC), Central Bank of Central African States (BEAC), Africa, Caribeean, and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, and the Comunidade dos Paises de Lingua Portuguesa (CPLP) (associate).