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Statement of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Chairperson of the African Union Commission
On the occasion of the Handover Ceremony of the 50th Anniversary Torches to the Member States

Your Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the Executive Council;
Your Excellencies, Ministers from Member states and visiting Ministers
Commissioners of the AUC
Executive Secretary of the ECA
Heads of all the AU and UN Organs
Members of the Permanent Representatives Committee
Partners and citizens here gathered
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
Members of the press,

At the onset, allow me to welcome you all to Addis Ababa. This city is of historical significance since it hosted the first major milestone in our journey towards total emancipation. The convening of thirty-two independent states in the Conference of Independents African States in May 1963, remains perhaps one of the most important statements undertaken by Africans towards self determination and prosperity.

Almost fifty years on from that watershed moment, we are favoured with the opportunity to reflect on the road travelled by Africans towards securing unity, prosperity and peace. The bouquet of events and milestones, at the Union, REC, Member State and Non State Levels, which have been developed will assist us to reflect on critical actions required to secure continental unity, shared prosperity, and lasting peace.
We ought to ultimately “harness the natural and human resources of our continent to the total advancement of our peoples in all spheres of human endeavour”, as envisaged by the OAU Charter of 1963.

These reflections are opportune because the year 2013 has been declared the Year of Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance. It is our view that this year has the potential of being a watershed year, since never before in our history has so much been in our favour. Never before have we had so much potential and growth. Never before, has the continent been favoured with such a young, vibrant and relatively more educated population. It is these comparative advantages that must be turned into meaningful opportunities towards a shared prosperity and lasting peace.

Through the symbolic lighting of these torches, which we send to all our member states today, we hope that the flame of hope shall shine through the continent. We have therefore encouraged our member states to consider popularising the AU and the torches in their nations. The torches symbolise our desire to reverse the current story line of despair into the real narrative of opportunity and potential. These torches are also a symbol of our collective will to brighten Africa’s future. These torches are a symbol of our achievements with regard to development, democracy and governance. These torches are a symbol of our pride to belong to Africa.

The commemoration of the fifty years of the OAU also coincides with the tenth year of the existence of the African Union (AU), which we constituted so as to promote “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena”.

Given the historic nature of this event, the 50th Anniversary Commemoration will therefore facilitate and celebrate African narratives of past, present and future. We hope to enthuse and energize the African population and use their constructive energy to accelerate a forward-looking agenda of Pan-Africanism and Renaissance in the 21st century.

To effectively develop this forward-looking agenda we will engage all sectors of our societies here and in the diaspora. We have adopted thematic focus areas in our year-long programme, to provide a platform for focused programmatic discussion. These themes recognise the areas in which we have recorded progress. These themes also facilitate for the recognizing of the challenges we face. The themes, which are currently being projected on the screens in this hall include: Regional Integration, Education and Human Resources, as well as Health and Women.

The impact of the main events (from 19 to 27 May) and the yearlong activities will be assessed against the extent to which we are able to promote and define Pan African Values. These values will underpin the African Agenda over the next five decades. For that reason, I hope that all delegations will bring these messages back home so that, in unison, with each African from within and outside the continent, we memorably celebrate the golden jubilee of the OAU-AU.

Finally, before I invite, H. E. Teodros Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the Executive Council to light the torch of the Golden Jubilee on behalf of the Council, I would like to recall the words of one of the greatest sons of the soil Chinua Achebe (who sadly recently passed on):
“Nobody can teach me who I am. You can describe parts of me, but who I am and what I need is something I have to find out myself”.

Consequently, the current realities and futures of Africa can only and must be developed by Africans for Africans. In so doing we must emphasise solidarity, unity, shared prosperity and lasting peace.

Together, let’s arise for One Africa in peace and prosperity.
Ensemble, mobilisons-nous pour une Afrique unie dans la paix et la prospérité
Juntos mobilizemo-nos para uma África unida na paz e prosperidade
Linan had, maahan min ajili Ifrikriya mutahida yassu duha assalamu waliz dihar

I thank you.

Statement By H.E. Dr. Maxwell M. Mkwezalamba
Commissioner For Economic Affairs
African Union

At The
Closing Of The Experts’ Meeting Of The Sixth Joint Annual Meetings Of The Au Conference Of Ministers Of Economy And Finance And The Eca Conference Of African Ministers Of Finance, Planning And Economic Development

24 March 2013
Abidjan, Côte D’ivoire

Excellence M. Abdallah Hamdok, Secrétaire exécutive adjoint de la Commission économique pour l’Afrique,

Professeur Lambert Bamba, Président du Bureau du Comité des Experts,

Honorables Représentants des Communautés Economiques régionales, des organisations régionales et africaines, des banques centrales africaines et des institutions internationales,

Honorables délégués, Mesdames et Messieurs,

1. Je voudrais, au terme de cette Sixième Conférence des Ministres de l’Economie et des Finances de l’Union Africaine et de la Conférence des Ministres africains des Finances, de la Planification et du Développement économique de la Commission économique pour l’Afrique, vous adresser mes chaleureuses félicitations pour la qualité du travail accompli et la pertinence des propositions faites pour, enfin, permettre à l’Afrique de réussir son programme d’industrialisation.

2. Comme vous le savez, le faible niveau d’industrialisation du continent constitue un des principaux obstacles au développement économique et social du continent africain. Il était par conséquent temps, je dirais même indispensable, de revisiter notre programme d’industrialisation. Les échanges et résolutions prises à l’issue de cette conférence s’inscrivent dans cette dynamique.

Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. The meeting of the Committee of Experts had interesting and important issues to deliberate on, as usual. In particular, I wish to point out the discussion on the Millennium Development Goals and the post-2015 development agenda, which is an on-going global debate at the moment. Evidence shows that Africa is not in a position to attain all the MDGs by 2015. The 2013 Africa MDGs Report that was presented to the meeting of the Committee of Experts, like previous Reports, shows that Africa has made limited progress in attaining some very crucial targets , including child and maternal health, and provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.

2. It is in recognition of the likelihood that Africa will not attain all the MDGs by the target date of 2015 that consultations have been undertaken with African stakeholders to identify Africa’s priorities for the post-2015 development agenda. The outcome document from the consultations was shared with the Committee of Experts and a draft African common position on the post-2015 development agenda will be presented to Ministers for approval before submission for adoption by the AU Summit in May 2013.

3. The African common position should serve as a reference document for the African voice in the crafting of a post-2015 development agenda. This position will feed into the global process that is currently underway through a High Level Panel on the post-2015 development agenda that was set up by the United Nations Secretary General. It is, therefore, imperative for us to ensure that the consultations that were undertaken in Africa are reflected in the global outcome document of the High Level Panel through an African common position. I wish also to agree with the meeting that we define goals, targets and indicators for the post 2015 development agenda that reflect Africa’s priorities.

4. The debate on the theme of the Conference was intense and the Committee came up with some concrete recommendations that, if implemented, will lead to the accelerated industrialization of Africa. It is gratifying to note that the Committee of Experts acknowledged the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa Action Plan as central to the industrial development of African countries. I am convinced that implementation of the Action Plan will ensure coordination of industrial policies and help accelerate implementation of our regional and continental priorities.

5. Some key issues were raised that were deemed pertinent for industrialization and value addition. One was the need for countries to promote technological innovation through research and development. Another was the need for adequate resources to finance the industrialization process, and that requires massive resources mobilization. The issue of financing leads me to highlight the importance of finalizing the issue of Alternative Sources of financing the African Union as soon as possible.

6. Other issues that have been on the agenda for several years which require finalization are the establishment of a Pan-African Stock Exchange and the African Monetary Fund. The Commission wishes to call upon to Member States to provide their comments at their earliest opportunity.

7. I would also urge the member states to sign and ratify the African Charter on Statistics. As of today, 27 countries have signed whereas only 8 have ratified the Charter. I would also like to call upon Member States to allocate adequate resources to National Statistics Offices for the production of quality statistics in the framework of the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (ShaSA).

Honorables délégués, Mesdames et Messieurs,

8. Pour terminer mon propos, je voudrais remercier les équipes de la Commission de l’Union Africaine, de la CEA et du Comité National d’organisation pour les efforts appréciables consentis dans l’organisation de cette conférence. Mes remerciements vont également aux interprètes pour l’excellent travail abattu, et tous les délégués pour leurs remarques et contributions constructives.

9. Enfin, je voudrais vous adresser à vous, Monsieur Président du Bureau du Comité des Experts, mes sincères félicitations pour avoir dirigé avec efficacité nos débats. Vous méritez notre reconnaissance et tout notre soutien.

10. As I am attending my last meeting in my capacity as Commissioner for Economic Affairs, I wish to call for your support – invite you to support my successor, Dr. Anthony Masuping of Lesotho.

11. Honorables délégués, Mesdames et Messieurs, je vous remercie de votre attention.

Remarks of H.E. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime,
Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission

on the occasion of Meeting the President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Addis, March, 15, 2013

Excellency, Ms. Jane Karuku, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Members of Staff of the AGRA, AUC-DREA and other members

Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me start by thanking Your Excellency, Mme Jane Karuku for honouring my invitation and I wish to welcome you to Addis Ababa and, in particular, to the African Union Commission.

Let me start by stating that the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture which I head is much bigger than the size you see here, and it covers over ten sectors, subdivided into two strategic areas of intervention which are: Agriculture and Food Security, and Environment and Natural Resources Management. In addition to the Headquarter-based Office, my department has 6 specialised technical offices under it, which are IBAR in Nairobi dealing with livestock, PATTEC in Addis Ababa handling tse-tse and trypanosomiasis, PANVAC in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, in charge of veterinary vaccines IAPSC in Yaounde on phytosanitary matters, SAFGRAD in Ouagadougou coordinating dryland research and development and Fouta Djallon in Conakry on integrated highland development. As you may note, we spread across the continent.

I value this moment as it falls within the framework of the productive partnership between the African Union Commission and the Alliance for a Green Revolution.

Within the field of agriculture, the AUC-DREA and the AGRA have been collaborating in multiple engagements and we have initiatives where we have been quite close in supporting AU Member States to implement the decisions of the AU Policy Organs up to the highest level, especially in the context of the overarching framework provided by the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) with a view to ensuring increased agricultural production, productivity, food and nutrition security. They include extension services, input delivery, output market development and functioning, and farmer organization and capacity building.

I wish, at this juncture, to commend AGRA for the continued partnership with AUC and for the work in advancing agricultural development at country-level across the continent. Working together in these and many other areas, we have registered significant achievements for our continent and especially at the Member States’ level. And what we have noted is that the more we deliver, the more is demanded of us. Hence the need for our continued improvement of our work in mutual reinforcement and complementarity to bring forth the desired results and impacts especially at implementation level and bringing on board real players, The Women.

I, therefore, wish to call for closer collaboration between AGRA and AUC-DREA in furtherance of the shared goal of increased agricultural production, productivity, food and nutrition security on the continent. We need to step up these especially now as we vision and dream for a better continent, and as we mark 10 years of the existence of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), in addition to other related processes we are engaged in.

I hope you also know that the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government decided in July last year to declare 2014 The AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security. We will need to work more closely to ensure that the year brings to fruition some of the ongoing pertinent initiatives in the context of CAADP. We will consider some of these during the CAADP Partnership Platform Meeting scheduled for Addis Ababa on 25-27 March 2013 and we hope that AGRA will participate fully during this meeting that will focus on preparations for 2014 AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security as we look at where we want to go from here given the interrelated nature of agriculture with environment, climate change, water and other key sectors.

Looking more critically at agriculture, I need not over-emphasize the importance of this sector for our continent, our nations and our communities, from food and nutrition to jobs and incomes. If Africa took agriculture more seriously, we would be respected and Africa would participate more effectively in global development. Other continents have successfully used agriculture as a premise for development, why not Africa?

I must, nonetheless, say that in partnership, we all share the joy of seeing 30 countries having signed CAADP Compacts that encapsulate multi-stakeholder consensus and partner buy-in on the key drivers of agricultural production, productivity, food and nutrition security. We have also seen Regional Compacts starting with the one of ECOWAS and the upcoming one of COMESA, and others in the pipeline.

We are also happy to see that more and more of these countries have gone further to draw up credible investment plans and also to put in their own resources and more investments in agriculture as they also mobilize bilateral and multilateral public and private support. We see more commitment by AU Member States at bilateral and multilateral levels and we need to take advantage of this state of affairs and plan together and implement as we are targeting the same constituency. We have seen good responses from partners particularly countries prepared investment plans. It is important and imperative that the AGRA buys into the investment plans agreed to by countries with all partners. I do appreciate the much work done by the AGRA.

We would like to see AGRA involved more in the process of putting together investment plans. Wherever you have been you have added value. We want countries to take advantage of how AGRA does business. As we mark 10 years since CAADP was adopted in 2003, we as AUC, AfDB, UNECA, NPCA, RECs and other Pan African institutions including AGRA, are called upon to step up our efforts in sustaining the momentum so that our people see concrete results on the ground in terms of food, nutrition, jobs and incomes. There is talk of Millennium Development Goals but for us it is about African dignity and without food we can’t have dignity. As we celebrate this year the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the OAU, predecessor to AU, we will focus on the vision of a food and nutrition as we consider the Theme of the Golden Jubilee: Pan Africanism and African Renaissance. There are many activities involved apart from agriculture and we have not forget our other areas of intervention

I am sure you have heard, time and again, that we have many declarations and decisions on strategic commodities, on value chain development, on fertilizer use, on irrigation, on agricultural research and technology, on sanitary and phytosanitary issues, on post-harvest loss reduction, GMOs and so on. It is our collective efforts that we will support AU Member States to translate these into reality: food, water, sanitation, and environmental sustainability. It doesn’t help when we get decisions and not have them implemented.

I would like to draw your attention to the African Fertiliser Financing Mechanism. You are implementing input delivery. We cannot increase productivity unless we have inputs and particularly fertilizers. It is important for AGRA to support the AFFM to take root. As you are aware, it arose out of the decision of Heads of State and Government at the Abuja Summit of 2006. A review was done and it was noted that unless African agriculture accesses fertilizers we cannot make it. The figure was 8 kg per ha and now it has increased to 11 kg per ha probably because of the collective efforts including those of AGRA – but the AU Abuja Summit decision called for 50 kg per ha. We need to actualize the AFFM. We can discuss this matter much further. At the CAADP PP we plan to call a meeting with other players on the fertilizer use, production, accessibility and marketing.

As part of our partnership building, we have been engaging the G8 among others especially since 2009 in L’Aquila, then also in 2012 in Camp David and currently with the next Presidency, the UK which has indicated that agriculture and food security will remain high on agenda. We shall be sharing our perspectives so that we all speak with one voice. I am sure AGRA also engages a number of partners in favour of African Agriculture. We hope you will continue to play your due role and let’s continue to be open to one another and work as a team. We serve the same constituency: African citizens, communities and nations. The partners who support us and those who support you are all our partners. If African Agriculture does well it is to our credit.

We all appreciate that our collaboration is more in the strategic area of intervention of agriculture and food security but my Department, as I indicated, also deals with sustainable environment and natural resources management. In this connection and with respect to climate change, I would like to say that this is a subject that speaks for itself owing to the frequency and intensity of its impacts in terms of erratic weather patterns punctuated by floods, droughts and other natural disasters. Again, in this area as well, our institutions will have to work closely and productively in supporting our continent and its Member States in building resilience through among others climate smart agriculture and turning them away from emergencies such as those witnessed in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel. Also related to this is that recently we put in place a programme called the African Risk Capacity, an initiative championed by the African Union Commission and specifically the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture in collaboration with and with support from partners particularly the World Food Programme (WFP). The initiative aims at building the capacity of AU Member States to manage disaster risk and emergency response more effectively by providing timely resources through a Member States-owned mutual insurance company.

In a nutshell, these are some of the areas that I wanted to highlight by way of introduction of my Department as they relate to our partnership with AGRA and we welcome your views on how we can take them forward together in the most efficient and effective way as our Member States need and deserve our services to deliver urgent and concrete actions, results and impacts in all the areas I mentioned. I trust that our partnership can as in the past meet the expectations of our Member States.

The African Union Commission will continue to play its core roles of policy harmonization, partnership building, resource mobilization and advocacy for African causes. This we will do with support of other Pan African institutions, stakeholders and partners including AGRA in the four pillars of peace and security, regional integration, capacity building and shared values. We are right now in the process of developing the new AU Strategic Plan 2014-2017, not just AUC Strategic Plan but Africa-wide Strategic Plan, that will redefine our priorities and at the same time we are working out the vision for the next 50 years. We will appreciate the input of partner institutions like AGRA particularly in your areas of specialisation.

I look forward to our fruitful discussions. Let me now invite you to make your remarks.

Thank you for your attention.

CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2013
STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. NKOSAZANA C. DLAMINI ZUMA, CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

On behalf of the African Union Commission, I congratulate all the women of the world and of the Continent in particular for our day on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Women’s Day, which extols the vital role women have played, and continue to play, in virtually all spheres of life, particularly in the enhancement of economic security for their families, communities and countries.

On this occasion, we take stock and review past progress, as well as, barriers that have continued to militate against women empowerment in Africa. It offers an opportunity to elevate women’s emancipation and gender equality, as well as, pay tribute to women that have devoted their lives to the struggle for the cause of women, and are still mobilized for this noble cause.

The African Union (AU) remains resolute in promoting gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment, in a rapidly globalizing and dynamic world. We are also taking great strides to redress gender imbalance, and promote women’s rights.

We must all join hands to prosecute crimes against women. Now is the time to dedicate ourselves to the plight of women in conflict situations, where sexual violence has often become a tool of war aimed at humiliating the enemy by destroying their dignity. The welfare of all victims of sexual violence in conflict must be at the forefront of our activities. We all must unite to end violence against women, and canvass that all women and girls have a fundamental human right to live free of violence.

We need much greater commitment and action to empower women and girls in the process of eradicating hunger, poverty and promoting development. Furthermore, there is need to give special attention to increasing the participation of women in decision-making in all areas of life, as a means of improving the quality of decision-making and in getting people-centred decisions including in the protection of the environment and wild life for future generation. This is critical as President Samora Machel of Mozambique 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.

The struggle is daunting but not insurmountable! The end is close and we must not deviate from the ideals of promoting women’s emanciaption in a justice and equitable world!

Finally, let me wish you all a memorable International Women’s Day and assure you of the Commission’s preparedness to continue to partner with Women, allies and friends, in the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma (Dr.)
Chairperson

STATEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, H.E. MRS. Fatima HARAM ACYL FOR THE 5TH CAMI BUREAU MEETING, Nairobi, Kenya, 13 February, 2013

Honorable Ministers, Members of the Bureau,

Representatives of Regional Economic Communities,

Representatives of International Organizations

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, I would like to welcome you all to this 5th Bureau Meeting of the AU Conference of African Ministers of Industry (CAMI).

Let me first of all thank the Kenyan Government for accepting to host this 5th Bureau meeting, for the warm welcome and facilities granted to us for a successful meeting. Allow me to also express my sincere appreciation to our development partners, namely, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for their continued support to our common goal of achieving an industrialized Africa.

Distinguished Members of the Bureau
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since the last CAMI Bureau meeting held in Vienna, we have collaborated with UNIDO and UNECA to organize for the first time on the premises of the African Union Headquarters, the African Industrialization Day on the theme of the AU Summit of 2012, “Boosting Intra-African Trade”. We thank our Member States and the private sector from East and Central Africa for responding to our invitation at such short notice, to reflect with us on the prospects and challenges of Industrialization on our continent.

Advocacy on Industrialization for Africa’s sustainable development has reached an important level. As many of you are aware, a Joint Conference of AU and UNECA Ministers of Finance and Planning will meet next month under the theme of Industrialization. It will be an opportunity to continue to advocate for Member States to invest in their industrialization agenda, especially at a time when we are preparing for the Post-2015 agenda, which should include development indicators that are linked to job creation, skills development, tertiary and technical education in order to spur innovation and economic growth from the youthful population of our continent. In this regard, we are extremely proud to learn that Kenya and other countries in East Africa are leading in the ICT revolution such as mobile banking, mobile lending and savings, linking people in the urban and rural areas and indeed across generations. We commend your efforts towards regional integration, evidenced by the importance that you attach to regional industrial policy. Your success story and others’ milestones and achievements can be shared for the benefit of the continent. At the end of the day, the mandate that Heads of State and Government have given to the Ministers of Industry is to forge ahead with the implementation of the Accelerated Industrialization Strategy for Africa. It is a momentous task, but my belief is that Rome was not built in one day. We need your personal commitment to make progress on mobilizing resources for the implementation of AIDA.
Excellencies
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It has come to my attention during the short period that I have been with the Commission that there are efforts being made to implement AIDA. Our partners UNECA and UNIDO are all making important contributions amongst other agencies, under the leadership of RECs and Member States. A concrete example of a successful pilot project is the Investment Monitoring Platform, which was implemented in 19 countries, in different regions. This project deserves to be highlighted because it provides the embryo of the African Trade Observatory that will enable us to track trade and investment flows in a timely manner based on information gathered by the private sector. It is a project that has been embraced by some of the RECs, such as COMESA, ECOWAS and others. However, the main constraint is the mobilization of sufficient funding to allow all RECs to participate and benefit from the initiative. This is a low hanging fruit that can be harvested if we join hands and decide to act in concert.

As the Commission, our main challenge is our ability to coordinate and monitor the impact of these collective actions, due to limited human resource capacity. That is why the establishment of the Implementation Coordination Unit is a goal that is close to my heart because it will inspire confidence that we are now ready to move forward. We are optimistic that this gap will be addressed during 2013 as it is indeed one of our priorities.

Excellencies
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Our meeting today is indeed very important and timely. As you are aware, the 20th Ordinary Session of CAMI has been scheduled for the second week of June 2013, in Nairobi, under the theme “Accelerating Industrialization for Africa within the post 2015 Development Agenda”. It is therefore opportune for us to pave the way to a successful CAMI-20 by discussing strategies that will overcome the challenges facing the implementation of AIDA. We have agreed that resources can be mobilized from different sources. Our belief is that we must make haste slowly. We must be absolutely confident that we have prepared well and that we are putting our best foot forward in our resources mobilization. One of the key questions in this regard is to also reflect on the sustainability issue. It may be possible to fund technical expertise on a short-term basis, which may be good, but we need to build the institutional capacity in the medium and long term. We should also craft an agenda for CAMI-20 that is compelling for your colleagues to attend. We need high level participation and commitment in order to make a difference, as we know it is finally Africa’s turn.

Excellencies

The Year 2013 is a special year for Africa. We will celebrate 50 years of the OAU/AU and in this regard there will be a moment of reflection on the development path we have taken so far, and consider how we can move forward to deliver tangible and visible results. We are fortunate that the work of industry is concrete, where a factory goes up, people get jobs, goods flow across borders and wealth is created. We believe that a united Africa, a prosperous Africa, which is at peace with itself and its neighbours is our common vision as a Union.

I look forward to fruitful deliberations during the course of this meeting.

Thank you for your attention.