What:

As part of the commemoration of the Africa Amnesty Month and on the International Day of Peace, the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the Commission of the African Union (AU), jointly with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and  the Government of the Republic of Angola, will hold a press conference on the 2nd Edition on the Biennale of Luanda - “ A Pan-African Forum for a culture of Peace” aimed at promoting conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace-building by encouraging dialogue and cultural exchanges in Africa.

When:

11:00 am – 12:00 pm GMT, Tuesday 21 September 2021

14:00 pm – 15:00 pm EAT, Tuesday 21 September 2021

Who:

The press conference will be addressed by Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ms. Carolina CERQUEIRA, State Minister for Social Affairs of the Republic of Angola and Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director- General for Priority Africa and External Relations of UNESCO.  

Where:          

Online: Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D1ncW2qmRxWwwnXU2VS3VA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Languages:  

The press conference will be conducted in English with interpretation in French, Portuguese and Arabic.

Why:

Since the establishment of the Biennale by the Decision of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, adopted in 2015, at the 24th Ordinary Session, and the Decision adopted on 3rd and 4th February 2021, at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, the AU Commission works with the Government of Angola and UNESCO, to support and participate in the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace in Africa- the Biennale of Luanda”. Also, the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held on 6th and 7th February 2021, adopted Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.796(XXXIV), calling upon all AU Member States to support and participate in the 2nd Luanda Biennale.

Furthermore, the African Union has always placed culture and culture of peace at the top of its agenda. This year’s theme focuses on “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”, and the theme of the year 2020, "Silencing the guns in Africa", extends until 2030. In addition, the AU is committed to promoting the synergy of efforts by joining hands with global partners towards strengthening the Pan-African Movement for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence through the creation of a global cooperation platform and the dissemination of initiatives and best practices, which offers a unique opportunity to renew this commitment and enhance the promotion of the concept of a “Culture of Peace” across the African Continent through the Luanda Biennale.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lulit Kebede, Communication Officer

Political Affairs, Peace and Security

Email : lulitk@africa-union.org

Janet Faith Adhiambo Ochieng, Communication Officer-Agenda 2063

Directorate of Information and Communication

Email : OchiengJ@africa-union.org

African Union (AU) Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department

Conflict Management Directorate

Tel. No.: +251-115-513 822 Fax: +251-115-519 321

 E-mail: situationroom@africa-union.org or situationroom@ausitroom-psd.org

Follow us on twitter: @AUC_PAPS; @Bankole_Adeoye