The High-Level Forum Africa-Europe took place on 18 December in Vienna, jointly hosted by the Austrian Presidency of the EU, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and Chairman of the African Union. The Forum brought together European and African Leaders, CEOs of global companies, innovators, start-ups and various stakeholders. President Jean-Claude Juncker reiterated Europe's ambition for a true and fair partnership among equals between Africa and Europe and presented the first results of the Africa–Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs, just three months after its launch.

The Africa-Europe Alliance, announced by President Juncker in his 2018 State of the Union Address, aims to deepen the economic and trade relations between the two continents, in order to create sustainable jobs and growth. It focuses on four key areas. Three months on, work is already well underway in each. New projects, as well as results and progress on the Alliance targets have been announced.

A key component of the Africa-Europe Alliance is also the close collaboration between both sides. Joint task forces have been set up in the areas of agriculture, digital economy and energy.