REN21 Academy 2018 was held on November 19 – 21, 2018 in Berlin Germany. As part of the programme, high-level officials from EU and the African region and business representatives from EU and Africa discussed the pivotal role of inter-regional cooperation and focused on further developing political and economic ties between the EU and Africa. This Joint High-Level Opening Plenary marked the opening of REN21 Academy and Renewable Energy and Efficiency Week (REEW).