The EU’s **relationship** with Africa is a **key priority** for the **new Commission**. The new COVID reality makes this relationship all the more important. The ongoing **COVID-19 pandemic** and the growing urgency of the **climate crisis** show at the same time how **interdependent** our two continents are, and why it is **so important** that both continents **act urgently** to seize the **shared opportunities** that lie ahead and to tackle the **common challenges** that we all face. This **pandemic** knows no borders and, as it has demonstrated, a global response and an ability to act as an **international community** are essential.