Joint Statement of the 6th Session of the Algerian-Senegalese Joint Grand Commission for Cooperation in Algiers

1. The 6th Session of the Algerian-Senegalese Joint Grand Commission for Cooperation was held in Algiers from October 11 to 13, 2026, under the co-chairmanship of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Attaf, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, and His Excellency Mr. Cheikh Niang, Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of the Republic of Senegal.

2. The convening of this session, following an interruption of nearly three decades, marks a major milestone in the history of relations of friendship, fraternity, and cooperation between Algeria and Senegal. Both parties agreed to make it the launching pad for a new era in their bilateral relations, based on deepening political dialogue, intensifying exchanges, and realizing concrete, structural projects of mutual benefit to both countries.

3. Both parties reaffirmed their attachment to the historic bonds of friendship, fraternity, solidarity, and mutual respect uniting the two peoples, as well as the shared African values underpinning their relations. They expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum registered in recent years, particularly through meetings and discussions between Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, and His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, as well as the working visit paid to Algiers by His Excellency Mr. Cheikh Niang, Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, on July 25 and 26, 2026.

4. In this framework, both parties agreed to enhance regular political consultations, intensify high-level visits and exchanges of delegations, and encourage sector-specific visits between administrations, institutions, and specialized bodies in both countries, in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

5. Both parties held an in-depth exchange of views on major regional and international issues of common concern. They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles and objectives articulated in the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as well as respect for international law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the promotion of multilateralism.

6. They also stressed the necessity of continuing efforts to reform the multilateral system, particularly the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system, to ensure fairer and more equitable representation for Africa within global governance bodies.

7. Both parties emphasized the importance of enhancing consultation on issues of peace, security, and regional integration, particularly when confronting challenges facing the African continent. They reiterated their commitment to respecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states, as well as the principle of promoting African solutions to African problems within appropriate mechanisms.

8. In this context, both parties agreed to intensify consultation and coordination in the fields of counter-terrorism, combating violent extremism and border-crossing organized crime, border security, preventing and combating illicit trafficking, as well as capacity building and exchange of expertise.

9. Both parties reaffirmed their steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their independent, viable, and sovereign state, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and provisions of international law.

10. On the legal and institutional front, both parties expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in updating and consolidating the legal framework governing their bilateral cooperation. They signed a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding, listed in an annex to this Joint Statement, and agreed to actively continue consultations to finalize the drafting of legal instruments still under negotiation.

11. On the economic and commercial front, both parties noted that the level of bilateral trade remains below the existing potential and complementarities between the economies of the two countries. In this regard, they agreed to work toward expanding and diversifying trade, promoting investments, and developing partnerships between economic operators in both countries.

12. They also highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of the Algerian-Senegalese Business Council as a preferred framework for networking between enterprises, facilitating economic operators' access to opportunities provided by the markets of both countries, as well as prospects offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

13. Both parties paid special attention to the energy sector as a field possessing significant potential for partnership. They expressed satisfaction with the ongoing momentum in the energy and hydrocarbons sectors and affirmed their determination to broaden and deepen it, particularly in exploration, production, training, capacity building, technical expertise exchange, refining, petrochemical industries, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. They also encouraged continued consultations to identify new areas of cooperation capable of yielding concrete, structural projects.

14. Both parties encouraged economic operators in both countries to explore new partnership and investment opportunities in priority sectors, notably industry, trade, economy, agriculture, food security, pharmaceutical industries, infrastructure, transport, services, digitalization, and technology.

15. In this regard, they underscored the importance of promoting direct contacts between the business communities of both countries, organizing economic encounters and business forums, and facilitating the participation of enterprises from both nations in fairs, exhibitions, and economic events organized by either party.

16. In the field of human development, both parties agreed to bolster their cooperation in higher education, scientific research, vocational training, innovation, and skills development. In particular, they expressed their determination to revitalize university exchange programs and scholarships, and to encourage the mobility of students, faculty researchers, and experts between both countries.

17. Both parties also agreed to develop exchanges in cultural, sports, and youth fields, leveraging, in particular, opportunities provided by major sporting and cultural events held in both nations.

18. Both parties highlighted the unique character of the historical, spiritual, and cultural ties uniting the Algerian and Senegalese peoples, particularly through Sufi traditions and intellectual and religious exchanges that have long contributed to bringing the two peoples closer together. They expressed their determination to consolidate these bonds by developing religious, cultural, scientific, and academic exchanges, and intensifying contacts between specialized institutions and organizations in both countries, in compliance with appropriate institutional and legal frameworks.

19. Both parties welcomed the inauguration of the "Algerian Bank of Senegal (ABS)" in Dakar and acknowledged its role in financing the economy and supporting local enterprises.

20. On the sidelines of the 6th Session of the Joint Grand Commission, the heads of both delegations were received by the Prime Minister, Mr. Sifi Ghrieb. This audience provided an opportunity to reaffirm the importance both countries attach to consolidating and deepening the Algerian-Senegalese partnership, as well as the necessity of translating agreed directives into concrete actions and achievements.

21. Both parties agreed that the effective implementation of the outcomes of the 6th Session of the Joint Grand Commission constitutes a priority. To this end, they decided to ensure regular follow-up on commitments undertaken, including designating focal points at the level of relevant ministerial departments and holding periodic follow-up meetings, in person or via videoconference, as needed.

22. Both parties also agreed to accord special attention to identifying priority projects and setting appropriate timelines for their implementation, thereby ensuring the effective translation of decisions taken into tangible results.

23. At the conclusion of the session's proceedings, the heads of both delegations expressed deep satisfaction with the quality of the discussions and the spirit of fraternity, trust, and cooperation that characterized their work. They reaffirmed their determination to inject new momentum into Algerian-Senegalese relations and translate the political will expressed at the highest level into concrete actions, serving the interests of both peoples and furthering African cooperation.

24. The Senegalese delegation expressed its deep gratitude and appreciation to the Algerian authorities for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to them, as well as for the arrangements made to ensure the complete success of the 6th Session of the Joint Grand Commission for Cooperation.

Done at Algiers, October 13, 2026.