AU FrontPage

Discours du Secrétaire d'Etat chargé des Affaires Etragères du Japon, Masaji Matsuyama, a l'occasion de la Conférence des donateurs sur la Mission internationale de soutien au Mali sous conduite africaine (AFISMA)

Statement by Parliamentay Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the Donors' Conference on Mali, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 29 January 2013

STATEMENT

BY

H.E MRS. RHODA PEACE TUMUSIIME
THE COMMISIONER FOR RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE
AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

AT THE
HIGH LEVEL PANEL MEETING ON THE POST 2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

MONROVIA, LIBERIA
30 JANUARY-1st FEBURARY 2013

Your Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of the Republic of Liberia, Goodwill Ambassador for Water and Sanitation in Africa and Co-Chair of the UN Secretary General of the High-Level Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda

Hon S. K. Woods, Minister of Public Works of Liberia
Hon Sarah Reng Ochekpe, Minister of Water Resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria/Vice President of the African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW) for West Africa Region, representing the AMCOW President)
Mr Girish Menon, Director of International Programmes and Deputy Chief Executive, Water Aid
Mrs Kitty van der Heijden, Director of Environment, Climate, Water and Energy, Netherlands
Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me first of all, on behalf of the Chairperson of African Union Commission, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini–Zuma, welcome you all to this important meeting of the High Level Panel (HLP) on the post 2015 development agenda. She has asked me to convey to you her warm greetings and best wishes and also to register her sincere regrets for her inability to come in person owing to other official exigencies. The Chairperson and indeed the African Union as a whole highly values this process.

At the out-set, I wish to thank the Government and the People of Republic of Liberia, our host, and, of course, the Liberia Secretariat for HLP for the hospitality and courtesy extended to the delegation of the African Union Commission since our arrival in this friendly and beautiful city of Monrovia. Your Excellency we recognize and applaud your leadership and commitment to development in Liberia in particular and in Africa as a whole.

The AU salutes the initiatives taken by the UN Secretary General in taking forward the charting of the global development agenda beyond 2015, by: establishing the UN System Task Team, launching the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons and appointing a Special Advisor.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

As you are aware, with only three years remaining until the 2015 target date for reaching the Millennium Development Goals, Africa’s progress towards the various targets of the MDGs continues to be mixed. It is gratifying to note that significant advances have been made in some indicators such as net primary enrollment, gender parity in primary education, representation of women in decision making, immunization coverage, stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS and water supply. We are, however, concerned with the quality of education as well as the pace of progress towards health-related MDG targets such as child and maternal mortality and access to sanitation. Reducing inequity in access to basic social services also remains a critical challenge for Africa. These inequities explain, in large measure, the continent’s slow progress in attaining the health MDGs.

The time span left until 2015 for the African continent to achieve the MDGs is fast approaching and there is still no clarity within the development community about the fate of the MDGs post 2015. Africa would like to see the goals and indicators substantially revised to reflect changing development priorities and performance on the MDGs by a number of developed and developing countries.
The AU wishes to emphasize that in order for Africa to reap the rewards of its increasing population and impressive economic growth, its post MDGs agenda must prioritize:

- building skills for tomorrow's job market
- fostering efficiency and accountability in services
- building social and financial systems for inclusive growth
- mobilization of domestic resources
- rural development
- bringing together the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable development

As you are all aware, the MDG 1 focused on poverty and hunger. Although many countries are not on track to meet these targets, discussions and evidence has shown that even if these targets were met, they were less ambitious. The challenge was contained in the fact that they were lumped and lacked disaggregation to ascertain concreteness. The African Union is now advancing discussions on detailed and concrete commitments to advancing agricultural productivity and growth as an instrument and catalyst elimination of hunger and poverty. The ongoing process of developing and agricultural transformation index will be used an input to this dialogue. This work will build from the progress in advancing the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Development Program (CAADP) and the focus of raising household incomes as well as food and nutrition security.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

As the international development community evaluates the contribution of MDGs and begins to define a post- 2015 global development framework, Africa has already embarked on the process to articulate its common position. Accordingly, with the mandate given by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the African Union Commission and its specialised technical body, the African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United Nations Development Programme-Regional Bureau for Africa (UNDP-RBA), is in advanced stages of consulting with AU Member States on the post-2015 development agenda.

Some of the issues that were identified as critical enablers of development during our consultation were institutional capacity development, domestic resource mobilization, participation and ownership at the community, national and global level, social inclusiveness and equality, governance and leadership, peace and security, regional integration and trade, infrastructure development and global cooperation and development.

In addition to the enablers, we reached a consensus that the post-2015 development agenda be led by economic growth, and assessed by indicators of performance in the area of economic transformation, education, technology and human development.

The four collaborating organizations jointly published the 2012 Report on Assessing Progress in Africa toward the Millennium Development Goals which brings out the outcomes of our consultations as a Thematic Focus. The report was presented at the joint AU/UNECA Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in March 2012 and consequently to the 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in July 2012.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
The Assembly of Heads of State and Government mandated the African Union Commission, in close consultation with Member States and Regional Economic Communities to identify Africa’s priorities for the post 2015 development agenda in order to consider making 2015-2024 a decade of transformation for Africa with the support of the AfDB, the UNDP, the ECA and all other stakeholders.

The Africa process, that provides for regional and continental engagement, has ensured broad participation and contribution of all stakeholders in identifying Africa’s priorities for the post-2015 development agenda.

The Africa process is also taking full advantage of the opportunity of other forums such as the 5thAfrican Private Sector Forum, the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) and the Committee of Directors General of Statistics meeting that were held in November 2012. to consult the private sector and statisticians on the post 2015 development agenda.

The outcome of the consultations will culminate in an African common position to be presented at the 6th Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in March 2013 and subsequently to be considered and adopted at the 21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in May 2013. The African Union will be presenting the common position to inform the discussion during the 68th United Nations General Assembly in September 2013.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

As I conclude, let me reaffirm Africa’s commitment to our collective efforts to identify the key priority areas that need focus in this regard. The African Union considers this as one of its key undertakings in the context of marking the 50th Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity/African Union scheduled to be commemorated in May 2013. The celebrations will provide the opportunity to look at Africa’s achievements registered and challenges faced in the last 50 years, where the continent is currently, where it should be in 50 years’ time, and what it will take to get there. This will certainly be a good opportunity for all stake holders to reflect on Africa’s priorities on the post 2015 development agenda.

Finally, I look forward to fruitful deliberations. I thank you.

Statement by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,Chairperson of the AU Commission,

at the Tenth AU-RECs-ECA-AfDB Coordination Committee Meeting

23 January 2013, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Your Excellencies, Chief Executives of Regional Economic Communities,
Your Excellency, Executive Secretary of UNECA,
Your Excellency President of the African Development Bank,
Your Excellencies Commissioners,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour and privilege to welcome you to Addis Ababa - and this being my first time to attend this important meeting - I wish to thank you for the work in support of our collaboration.

This forum provides an opportunity to examine the progress so far achieved, discuss the key challenges facing the integration of our continent and share some thoughts on moving the process forward.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
Since we are about our core agenda of integration and development as continental institutions. We must address the central question of the Abuja Treaty: how “to increase African self-reliance and promote an endogenous and self-sustained development.” This is very true even today, to develop an endogenous and self-sustained development, because we have seen how many models of growth globally has come apart, so it is important that we find our own models of development.

We must help give direction as to how to move more swiftly to ensure that Africa becomes prosperous, integrated, peaceful and indeed a global growth-pole over the next few decades. This means that we cannot anymore be satisfied with small, incremental improvements, but we have to think and act bolder.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is an opportune moment, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU. This is an opportune moment to look at our achievements, to learn from the past, what we we could have done better. As the three organisations we have complementary mandates and therefore define our common agenda for the next fifty years. The RECs as building blocks for integration and development are critical in this process.
Given the scale and scope of global changes, it is therefore important that Africa reenergizes our momentum for integration and development, guided by its leadership in order to claim its renaissance in a very competitive, insecure and unequal world that we see today.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this context, I am pleased to inform you that on 11 and 12 January this year, I had the honour and privilege of holding extensive discussions, with Dr. Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary, UNECA, and Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President of the AfDB on a range of topical issues.
Among other things, we reiterated the need to coordinate our activities in setting the agenda to support Africa’s socio-economic transformation as we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU in May this year. We affirmed the spirit of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance, which inspired the political revolution of the continent in the last 50 years, and is now critical for realization of Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
We also reflected on the key challenges, opportunities and priorities facing Africa going forward, drawing on the past 50 years. We noted that Africa’s economic growth and development challenges require the need to focus on equity, inclusiveness, the preservation of natural capital and creation of decent jobs, especially for the youth and women. To support the vision of Africa’s leaders to transform the continent over the next 50 years, we re-affirmed the commitment by the three (3) Pan-African institutions to collaborate closely with RECs and other partners to foster the agenda of an integrated and prosperous continent with a view to realize Africa’s renaissance.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me at this juncture, set out and suggest the context or framework, within which we need to approach our important relationship, as we gather here today.
In my view, the framework has two important elements. One should be a frank acknowledgment of the many challenges we continue to face in fostering our integration agendas, and those that may arise, moving forward. Second, is the obvious need for a stronger commitment to manage these challenges in a straight-forward and constructive way, with the eye for the longer-term.
We also need to continue to deal with, as a matter of priority, issues related to global public goods including climate change, peace and security as well pressing challenges regarding youth and women unemployment. The way forward is to keep urging the leaders of our Member States on the need to accelerate the implementation of agreed decisions and actions.
Outside the provisions of our Protocol requesting us to formally meet twice a year, I think that the emergencies generated by our changing environment force upon us the need to often meet to agree and have common positions on specific agendas before meeting the external world and our partners. I would like also take this opportunity to invite you to fully participate in the elaboration of o the next AU Strategic Plan which is ongoing preparation.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am aware that a number of RECs represented here at this meeting have made substantial progress in a range of areas, but a great deal of work remains to be done. Among others, shortcomings in the removal of unnecessary barriers for movement of goods, services and labour, have root of the challenges. As a matter of priority, we need to tackle these surmountable challenges head-on, to realize of our dream for a united and deeply integrated continent.
May I recall that the central pillar of Africa’s integration process should be anchored on her people. Ordinary citizens should enjoy the benefits associated with regional integration, and in this connection, free movement of our citizens should be made a reality. Therefore, a central challenge of our everyday work should be to set favourable conditions that allow the skills and capabilities of our labour force, especially, the youth and women, to be fully exploited.
Excellences, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
On a more optimistic note I must emphasize that, among other positive developments, the establishment and continued strengthening of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area should give us a large of confidence, on what can be achieved, when we agree to synergize our limited resources and rich experiences. In this vein, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage other RECs represented here, to learn and emulate the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA initiative that I just alluded to.
In conclusion, I wish to once again to applaud you for the tireless effort you continue to extend to the AU Commission, and the important relationship all of us have developed and nurtured over the years, in support of our integration agenda.
I have no doubt that there are many opportunities that can be seized which will enable us to reap the benefits of continental integration and sustainable economic prosperity for our people.
I encourage the members of the media present to interact and get information from the RECs.
I thank you for your kind attention.

Welcome Remarks by HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Opening session of the 20th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union

Addis Ababa, January 27, 2013
 
Your Excellency Boni Yayi, Chairperson of the African Union and President of the Republic of Benin;

Your Excellency Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and our host;

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union;

Your Excellency Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority;

Your Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations;

Your Excellency Vuk Jeremić, President of the UN General Assembly;

Excellencies, Members of the Executive Council and other Ministers present;

Your Excellencies, Heads of AU Organs, and other International agencies

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished invited guests;

Excellencies, members of the Permanent Representatives Committee;

Heads of African Regional Economic Communities and African Union Specialised and Representative offices;

Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me, on behalf of the Commission, to thank you sincerely for electing us to serve this premier organization of Africa. It is a responsibility, which we pledge to undertake with commitment and diligence.

Of course, let me also express my appreciation to the Prime Minister, Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, not only for the warm welcome when we assumed duty, but also for providing homely conditions for our stay, and for presenting us with the key to the City of Addis Ababa.

Ma gratitude va aussi au Président de l’Union, Son Excellence Boni Yayi pour tout le soutien qu’il a apporté a la Commission depuis que nous avons pris fonction en octobre dernier.

Let me also take this opportunity to thank the previous Commission led by His Excellency Dr. Jean Ping, for the foundation they have laid.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

Today we look to the future calmly, confidently and courageously.

These same words were said by the founders of our Union, almost fifty years ago, in this very City of Addis Ababa.

As we look back on the last fifty years, we acknowledge that our first priority was the attainment of the political independence and the eradication of Apartheid. In these causes, the continent rallied together, sacrificed, and pooled its resources and efforts in solidarity with anti-colonial and liberation movements. Under the leadership of the Organisation of African Unity, Africa united around these issues, was of one mind on what to do, and spoke with one voice.

This unity of purpose, sacrifice and solidarity by Africa, which complemented the efforts of liberation movements, led to the decolonization of the continent and the dismantling of Apartheid.

It is, therefore, befitting that the theme of this Summit and year is "Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance". Because the spirit of Pan-Africanism and the ideals of the African Renaissance delivered us to where we are today and must propel us towards an integrated, people-centred, prosperous Africa at peace with itself. It is this spirit and ideals that inspired the adoption of the Lagos Plan of Action in 1980, the Abuja Treaty in 1990 and NEPAD in 2001.

It is therefore appropriate to recall on this august occasion the words of one of the Pan Africanist and freedom fighter from South Africa, Pixley Ka Isaka Seme, who said:
“The African already recognises his anomalous position and desires a change. The brighter day is rising upon Africa. Already I seem to see her chains dissolved; her desert plains red with harvest; her Abyssinia and her Zululand the seats of science and religion, reflecting the glory of the rising sun from the spires of their churches and universities, her Congo and her Gambia whitened with commerce; her crowded cities sending forth the hum of business; and all her sons (and Im adding her daughters) employed in advancing the victories of peace…

Yes, the regeneration of Africa belongs to this new and powerful period”.

We must remain inspired by those words, which were uttered in 1906. The conditions now, and the experiences of the past fifty years, make us believe that indeed that period of the regeneration of Africa belongs to this new and powerful period.

Your Excellencies

What makes us so confident that Africa time has arrived and that we can achieve our dream within fifty years, or even less?

Six of the world’s ten fastest growing economies are African, and the continent has been growing at an average of 5% per annum for over a decade, despite the global financial and economic crisis.

We have a growing, vibrant, resourceful and youthful population, who are being equipped with critical skills that would be necessary to drive Africa’s transformation.

The ICT revolution has been embraced by Africans particularly the youth, which has spurred innovative approaches to information, micro-finance and the mobilisation of rural producers via the mobile telephone.

The expansion of Africa’s middle class, currently estimated at 355 million, is bound to spur developments in a range of areas, including the growth of the private sector and the knowledge economy.

The continent is endowed with rich natural resources, including mineral and marine resources as well as vast arable land. These are critical components in the industrial and agricultural developmental processes that should drive economic growth, trade and social transformation.

We have also institutionalised good governance and accountability in many countries through the African Governance Architecture and with thirty-three (33) countries having participated in the African Peer Review Mechanism. We take this opportunity to congratulate the Panel of Eminent Persons and two newest signatories, the Republic of Chad and Tunisia. We also acknowledge the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia for having also recently subjected themselves to the rigorous process of the APRM.

We also take this opportunity to congratulate the countries who have just had their elections, Sierra Leone and Ghana.

Close to ninety percent of countries in Africa have enjoyed sustained peace and stability during the decade, and continue to do so. At the same time, the continent is continually strengthening its capacity to deal with conflicts.

We must therefore take bold steps and fight for the pride of place in the world, as a global growth pole. We must develop our narrative and challenge conventional thinking and paradigms. We must re-kindle the passion of our founders and our people in Pan Africanism, through unity, self-reliance, integration and solidarity.

Your Excellencies and Distinguished Guests

Optimistic as we are, we are mindful of the enormous challenges that remain.

We cannot over-emphasise the need for peace and security. Without peace and security, no country or region can expect to achieve prosperity for all its citizens.

While we are proud of the progress made in expanding and consolidating peace and security on the continent, we also acknowledge that much still needs to be done to resolve ongoing, renewed and new conflict situations in a number of countries.

The Peace and Security Council will report to the Summit on African Union efforts to address these situations in Somalia, Guinea-Bissau, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Darfur, Comoros, Sudan/South Sudan, Madagascar, Western Sahara and more recently Mali and the Sahel. We must also continue to support those countries who are in post-conflict situations, to consolidate their reconstruction and peace-building efforts.

There is also a resurgence of the tendency of rebel groups attempting to oust democratically elected governments. The Union must remain firm on its stance of no unconstitutional change of government. We must enhance our capacity to defend democratically elected governments and their territorial integrity.

Thus there is a need to accelerate the operationalisation of the African Stand-by Force and whatever other mechanisms, to enable us to have quick response capacity to intervene when the need arises.

At this juncture, we must extend our heartfelt thanks to the international community in general, and the United Nations in particular, for the continued cooperation and support to African efforts to resolving conflicts on the continent.

Your Excellencies, while negotiating peace agreements is an urgent and vital task in resolving conflict, it is just the first step. Sustainable peace and stability can only be guaranteed by comprehensive post-conflict reconstruction and addressing the root causes of conflicts. We will therefore do more to align the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) with the African Governance Architecture (AGA).

We hope that the discussions by the Summit will give impetus, support and further guidance to on-going efforts of the African Union and Regional groups seeking lasting solutions to the conflicts.

Africa remains concerned at the long-standing Middle East question, in particular the issue of Palestine. We call for the granting of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, in accordance with United Nations Resolution 1514 (xv) of 1960, on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples.

We wish in this regard, to congratulate the Palestinian Authority and the people of Palestine on the recent resolution granting them the status of an Observer State at the UN.

Your Excellencies,

During this and the commemorative summit in May - as we renew our commitment to Pan Africanism and African Renaissance - we shall take time to address some of the other challenges on our transformation path. These not only include old and new threats to peace and security, but also slow progress with diversification of our economies and the need to rapidly increase inter-Africa trade and global market access.

We must also concretise our search for innovative and alternate resource mobilisation strategies, and in the spirit of Pan-Africanism urge those who are better endowed in any area or any resource, to show solidarity to others who may currently be less endowed.

It is a matter of concern to us that our continent, which contributes the least to the harmful carbon emissions that cause global warming into the atmosphere, is the continent most affected by climate change. We wish to call for equity and justice in mitigation, adaptation and governance (and in the funds) of climate change.

Although we have policy frameworks and strategies almost across all the areas critical to our development, we need to considerably strengthen our capacity to implement the decisions. We must therefore ensure that our institutions work effectively and efficiently, and are responsive and concentrate on implementation.

The Union and its organs must also effectively communicate with the African citizenry, different sectors of civil society and the Diaspora, so that we unite and mobilise the continent for its renaissance.

Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests

I, like many other Africans, strongly and sincerely believe that Africa’s dream is not only achievable, but can be done in a shorter time.

There are many examples of countries that have successfully transformed in less than fifty years from poor, third world countries to prosperous high-income countries. These countries now have standards of living that rival, or even surpass, those of the developed countries, amongst them are the Gulf States, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, Malaysia and China.

The massive economic development that has propelled China to become the second largest economy in the world has been on a genesis since the 1970’s. For instance, in 1978 China’s gross domestic product (GDP) was just 147.3 billion US dollars. By 2009 China’s GDP had risen to 4.9 trillion. By last year this figure had reached a phenomenal 7.298 trillion dollars.

In 1978, China’s social and economic indicators were not so different from Africa. For instance, 63 per cent of China’s population lived below the international poverty datum line. By 2007, that figure had fallen to 4 per cent.

So we are filled with optimism and enthusiasm that in the year that we celebrate our 50th anniversary, the continent of hope and opportunity and is on the move. In a range of areas critical to our development, we have taken control of our destiny and have agreed what to do.

Through the sweat and toil, which tills our land daily, we intend to refuel the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Programme (CAADP). We shall utilise this programme to increase agricultural productivity and facilitate for agro-processing, working through the RECs and Member states. Through this programme and associated actions we will guarantee our collective food and nutritional security, so that every child on the continent is fed and better nourished. Ultimately we will register our comparative advantage so that we become a net exporter of food products to the rest of the world.

This will contribute to the empowerment of Africa such that we reclaim our voice towards setting fair and just food prices. In so doing, we will ensure rising incomes for farmers whilst transforming the livelihoods of our populations, especially in rural areas.

To secure decent livelihoods and the free movement of people, goods and services, we must accelerate integration and connectivity. The progress on the implementation of the priority infrastructure projects of PIDA in the areas of transport, energy and ICT is therefore encouraging, with notable advances where domestic resources are being utilised.

Thus Deloitte and Touche noted the trend that “African governments have historically financed a sizeable share of the continent’s infrastructure development on the balance-sheet.” Given the huge scale of our infrastructure backlog, a key component of the PIDA programme, working with the NEPAD Agency and the RECs, is therefore resource mobilisation and diversification of funding models.

The transport corridors envisaged through this initiative will enable young people from Mogadishu to travel to Timbuktu, onwards to Gore Island and enable products to be transported from Cape to Cairo.

Broadband infrastructure will enable our people to connect with each other from the remotest parts of our countries and to access public and business services and opportunities.

Our young entrepreneurs, poets, writers and linguists will populate the African cyber space and shape its content, so as to share and promote our culture, languages, indigenous knowledge and development to enable Africa to compose its own narrative.

Education and skills development is at the heart of our regeneration efforts. The Pan African University and the general expansion of our higher education sector will equip our young people with critical abilities to drive innovation, sciences, entrepreneurship, research, social development and industrialization.

The Conference of Ministers of Interior and other Ministries responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics are hoping that recommendations will be approved in order to address the scandal of the invisibility of millions of Africans whose birth and identities are not recorded anywhere, denying them access to rights and services.

The lack of statistics undermines national planning and service provision, and the lack of accurate and secure population registers undermines security and efforts to establish effective immigration systems that will allows free movement of people of all our countries.

We must thank all the continental Champions of the important programmatic areas of the Union, especially infrastructure, who through their dedication and advocacy help to raise awareness, communicate Africa’s success stories and monitor implementation. Africa needs many more such Champions, from across the length and breadth of the continent and in more diverse areas.

Your Excellencies,

Women constitute more than half of Africa’s population. They give birth to the other half.

Women also make up seventy-five per cent of the agricultural workforce. They constitute the bulk of cross-border traders and still provide for the well-being and social reproduction of families, communities, the workforce and our societies.

The continent has taken many decisions towards the emancipation of women and gender parity, including the declaration of the Decade of Women. All that remains is implementation and we must increase implementation of these decisions. Let me quote President Samora Machel of Mozambique who said:

The emancipation of women is not an act of charity, or the result of humanitarian or compassionate attitude. The liberation of women is a fundamental necessity of the revolution, the guarantee of its continuity and the precondition of its victory.

We have taken steps, Excellencies to enhance coordination of the Regional Economic Communities, as critical building blocks of our Union. The AU Commission will work closely and plan together with the RECs.

We also work closely with the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank and the NEPAD Agency to ensure better coordination of our efforts, building on our different and complementary roles as institutions, in order to advance the African Agenda.

The successful implementation of these continental programmes and efforts, Your Excellencies, will bring our people – young and old, men and women, urban and rural - from the periphery to the centre - as active participants in the renaissance of Africa and as captains of their destiny.

Distinguished Guests

The continental programmes that we spoke about also greatly benefit from support partners from across the globe. Whilst Africa is taking charge of its own destiny, your cooperation and invaluable support is appreciated.

Your Excellencies,
Distinguished guests

During this and the commemorative Summit in May – as we renew our commitment to Pan Africanism and African Renaissance - we should take time to discuss further what more needs to be done to accelerate Africa’s vision of integration, prosperity and peace.

We need to ask whether the economic growth models we are pursuing are likely to lead to sustainable inclusive development for Africa and, if so, at what point? What conditions should we put in place to enable transformational and qualitative change? What are the different, yet complementary roles of the state, the private sector, civil society and the diaspora in our economies?

How do we facilitate the creation of indigenous capital and a viable, vibrant private sector that is not only capable of investing in big local industry, including infrastructure development, but also competing effectively and becoming global champions?

How can Africa harnesses its resources to ensure that it funds and therefore determines its development agenda? How can we strengthen our institutional and other capacities, to ensure implementation of our decisions and policies?

What is it that we have not done, or that we could do differently?

Your Excellencies, these and many other questions need to be asked and candidly answered - in the year of the 50th anniversary - if we are to realise our dream within the coming fifty years.

As we renew the spirit of Pan Africanism and ideals of African renaissance, I would like to quote one of Africa’s writers, Ben Okri, from his book Ways of Being Free:
They tell me that nature is the survival of the fittest. And yet look at how wondrous gold and yellow fishes prosper amongst silent stones of the ocean beds, while sharks continuously prowl the waters in their impossible dreams of oceanic domination and while whales become extinct…

…how many butterflies and iguanas thrive, while elephants turn into endangered species, and while even lions growl in their dwindling solitude.

There is no such thing as a powerless people. There are only those who have not seen and have not used their power and will. It would seem a miraculous feat, but it is possible for the under-valued to help create a beautiful new era in human history. New vision should come from those who suffer most and who love life the most.

It is only by establishing a common destiny and outlook that we can overcome and prosper. In the words of Ben Okri, there is nothing like a powerless people.

Asante Sane
Je vous remercie de votre aimable attention.
Shukran
Mucho obrigado
I thank you

Statement by H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson
African Union Commission

Working Lunch for Heads of State & Government on the Campaign on Accelerated Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA)
Africa Cares: No Woman Should Die While Giving Life
27 January 2013

- Your Excellencies, Heads of State & Goverment,
- Excellency Secretary General of the United Nations
- Excellencies Heads and Representatives of UN Agencies,
- Honourable Ministers
- Members of the Diplomatic Corp,
- Distinguished Participants
- Ladies and Gentlemen

As a woman and a mother, I am happy to address this gathering on reinforcing the campaign on accelerated reduction of maternal mortality in Africa (CARMMA).

My sincere appreciation to H.E. President Boni Yayi and the UNFPA for the support to the Commission to make this important luncheon possible.
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) remains a critical index of our development as a continent. We cannot record any sustainable and meaningful development, if the health of our women that constitute more than half of the population of the continent is not accorded the deserved priority. Though I must acknowledge that the health status of women and children in Africa, though has improved over the last few years, it remains a far cry from the targets that are set in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

When here in Addis Ababa in 2009, CARMMA was launched by the African Union Ministers of Health, it marked the commencement of a determined and sustained effort by the leadership of our Union to address the unacceptably high maternal and child morbidity and mortality.

At the 15th Assembly of the Union, with the theme – “Maternal, Newborn and Child Health”, the Heads of State and Government adopted a set of Actions, underscoring the need to make concerted effort to deliver on results. The Heads of State were unambiguous that the time for declarations and commitments was over and it was time for action!

It is gratifying to note that you, our leaders are taking action, as evidenced by the progress recorded so far. Till date, 37 Member states have launched CARMMA and undertaken targeted actions to deliver on commitments. CARMMA has become an example of a successful continental initiative with national ownership!

However while we celebrate our progress, we must also reassess our challenges and redouble our efforts in order to ensure that our collective aspirations as Africans become a reality. There can’t be and shouldn’t be any complacency.

In order to optimize results delivery, we need to adopt an integrated approach to reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality within the overall continuum of care. The impact of our combined efforts shall be much greater than the sum of our individual efforts.

Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me therefore to highlight some initial steps that need to be taken:
• The AUC and UNFPA should explore the possibility of establishing a joint secretariat to continue to coordinate our efforts on CARMMA in order to make the Campaign sustainable and to facilitate the delivery of results;
• An effective and sustainable financing mechanism for MNCH programmes needs to be evolved;
• An Accountability mechanism all levels, from service providers and care givers to policy makers and political leaders including Civil Society, ensuring that duty bearers are accountable for the responsibilities reposed in us and resources committed to our care;
• A strong social mobilization involving all segments of the society - men, religious and traditional leaders amongst others for the advancement of women health;

In Africa we celebrate motherhood, with child birth as a natural and normal process. Let’s remember that maternal deaths is not random, it is preventable. An investment in the health of women is an investment in economic development.

Africa Cares; No Woman Should Die While Giving Life.

Thank you.