PRESS RELEASE Nº273/2015

H.E Dr. Martial de-Paul Ikounga, Commissioner for Human Resources, Sciences and Technology addresses the G7 Science Ministers Meeting

Berlin, Germany 9 October 2015: - H.E Dr. Martial de-Paul Ikounga Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology was invited by H.E. Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka, the Germany Federal Minister of Education and Research, to the G7 Science Ministers. The Commissioner addressed the G7 Ministers on “Outreach Africa” as a mechanism to promote long term relation and to engage the G7 in Africa’s efforts to tackle the sustainable development challenges. The G7 Science Ministers’ meeting was a direct response to agree on their implementation of the outcomes of the Heads of state and Government in 2014. The meeting deliberated on key global topics such as “Neglected and poverty-related diseases; Global research infrastructures, digital infrastructures; Future of the oceans; marine litter, deep-sea mining and Clean Energy”.

In his statement, the Commissioner said that besides the positive economic and social development trend we are registering in Africa, the continent still remains a host of most Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and is still disproportionately affected by all known development challenges. To address these challenges, Africa just adopted a people centred long-term Agenda 2063 which requires action in many domains. To do so, “We ensured that this agenda is underpinned by Education, Science and Technology as enablers and tools for achieving its goals and deliver on the rising aspirations of African citizens and global expectations.

In this regard, the Commission developed requisite continental policy instruments for Education; Technical and Vocational Education and Training; and Science, Technology and Innovation (STISA-2024) to strategically and effectively contribute to the implementation of the Agenda 2063 and subsequently achieve the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create long-term economic benefits for the continent and beyond.

In conclusion the Commissioner underscored that concrete initiatives identified under the G7 Outreach Africa will provide all stakeholders with the opportunity to engage and collectively resolve global challenges and will have far reaching impact.

For further information contact

Mr. Hambani Masheleni | Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology | African Union Commission I E-mail: hambanim@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Directorate of Information and Communication

Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int

Addis Ababa | Ethiopia