Events

ARSO holds its 21st General Assembly Meetings.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 12th August 2015 – The African Organisation for Standardization (ARSO) has convened the 21st ARSO General Assembly Meetings in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry of the AUC and the Ethiopian Standards Agency (ESA) in Addis Ababa from 10th to 14th August 2015. Held under the theme “The role of Standards in promoting sustainable Agriculture and food security in Africa”, the gathering aimed to support the African Union Vision on Agriculture that stresses the need to create “dynamic markets within countries and between regions” as part of its agricultural strategy.

The Assembly meetings consisted of the 52nd ARSO Council meeting which reviewed and approved the ARSO programmes; The third (3rd) Africa Day of Standardization annually held on 12th August; And the 21st ARSO General Assembly which provided a platform for the ARSO members and Stakeholders to review the programmes and progress of the Organisation with respect to its mandate, vision and mission.

Representing the host country, Mrs Almaz Kahsay, Director, Ethiopian Standards Agency highlighted that “We are here representing our National Standards Bodies. This means, we are representing our country as an Ambassador related to matters of standards. As you know standards mean not only technical words. Directly and indirectly standards mean economy, standards mean social and standards mean political affairs. So, we are shouldering high responsibility in developing, harmonizing and implementing standards.”

Mr. Hussein Hassan Hussein, AUC Head of Industry recalled that the standards and quality issue is in the core of the Agenda of the African Union Commissioned since its establishment. "It was a dream of our founding fathers to create a continent where people can move freely (with) goods and services across the continent. Fast tracking the creation of a CFTA is the way to go".

“One of the challenges we as Africans are facing is market Access in the globalised world. The Quality of products and services that we offer should conform to the requirements of the buyer. You have the responsibility to create systems that would strengthen the Standards, Conformity Assessment, Metrology and Accreditation at national and regional level.” said the Minister for Science and Technology of the F.D.R. of Ethiopia, H.E. Mrs. Demilu Hambisa in her opening remarks.

Welcoming all participants, the ARSO President Dr. Joseph Odumodu further emphasized that “Total package of institutional and systemic enablers must all be in place. These include the provision of adequate National Quality infrastructure, policy and regulatory frameworks, conducive social, political and economic environment, financial services and support to businessmen and women, locally and across borders.”

The expected Outcomes of the ARSO General Assembly Events are:

- Identified Programmes and Strategies for the implementation of the African Standardisation Agenda in the African Integration.

- Report on the status of Quality Infrastructure in Africa and a stakeholder driven Strategic Work Plan for implementation.

- Development of High Priority Areas in African Standardisation and economic development

- Understanding the benefit of standardisation and the related activities in economic development of Africa

- Strengthen strategic relationship between ARSO and the AUC-DTI on policy issues on Standardisation in Africa and with regard to the implementation of AUC Strategic programmes

/MFM

Press Release No. 163/2015

The African Union Commission signs an MoU with the International Trade Center

15, July 2015 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The African Union Commission (AUC) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to support a range of critical activities and programmes for the Department of Trade and Industry.

H.E. Mrs Fatima Haram Acyl, Commissioner for Trade and Industry and Ms. Arancha González, the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC)

The purpose of this MoU is to provide the framework for cooperation between the Commission and the ITC for developing and implementing programmes that support the priorities of the Commission as enunciated in the AUC Strategic Plan 2014-2017. Also, the Commission and ITC have a shared vision and mutual interest in sustainable economic and trade development through continued improvements in business practice, cross border partnership, and the creation of a supportive enabling environment in developing countries.

The Commission and the ITC have already partnered in the past, including in the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding signed at Geneva on 27 February 2007 for pursuing the objective of achieving sustainable economic and trade development and for establishing a framework of bilateral cooperation in the key selected areas. The original MOU expired in 2010 and discussions on the successor memorandum started in 2014.

The Current MoU focuses on six key priority areas where the ITC will add value namely:

- Facilitating trade and market intelligence for SME productivity and competitiveness;

- Supporting regional economic integration and South-South trade;

- Connecting trade to value chains, diversification and link to export markets;

- Strengthening trade and investment support institutions including labour market institutions;

- Promoting and mainstreaming inclusiveness and green trade;

- Building a conductive business environment and labour related trade policies.

This MoU will remain in force until 31 December 2018.

For more information, please contact: Mr. James Maringwa, Expert - Trade-Related Results Based Planning - Email: MaringwaJ@africa-union.org

Media contacts:

Patient Atcho, Department of Trade and Industry – Tel: + 251 912 610 485 - Email: atchop@africa-union.org

For further information:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Follow us

Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission

Press Release

Health financing takes centre stage at Financing
for Development Meeting

Addis Ababa, 14 July 2015- Leaders meeting in Addis Ababa Monday urged concerted continental and global efforts to accelerate efforts for accelerated domestic financing for health. The meeting also emphasised the continued importance of international support to Africa’s disease responses in the spirit of shared responsibility and global solidarity.

“The transformation of our economies and our countries will never be complete without claiming victory over diseases, particularly, the three big epidemics of our time – HIV, tuberculosis and malaria” said Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. “Our founders urged us to unite. To defeat these diseases, we must unite not only amongst ourselves but also with our international development partners in order to raise enough resources for the final push against these diseases”.

Significant progress, but challenges remain

Most African countries recognised and responded to the need to diversify and expand funding sources for health to reduce aid dependency. Between 2006 and 2011 global domestic investment doubled spending on AIDS, TB and malaria. In the last four years, African countries have increased their domestic resources to fight AIDS by 150%.

HIV treatment in Africa increased more than 100-fold with approximately 10 million people are now on treatment. Similarly malaria mortality rates declined by 54% overall and by 58% among children. Africa’s TB treatment success rate reached 86% in 2013.

However despite these historic gains, these epidemics are far from over. AIDS remains a leading cause of death in Africa, killing 1.1 million people on the continent in 2013. An African child still dies almost every minute from malaria. The TB response will need to reach about 1.3 million people in Africa.

Financing health and achieving Agenda 2063

Africa is finalising its long term development strategy, Agenda 2063 that will put Africa firmly on a path to sustainable structural transformation and sustainable long-term inclusive economic growth. Agenda 2063 lays out seven key priorities.

These are inclusive growth and sustainable development; an integrated continent; good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law; peace and security; strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics; people-driven development and a strong, united and influential Africa acting as a global player and partner. One of the key central enablers for Agenda 2063 is the need for inward looking in mobilising African resources to finance and accelerate transformation, integration, peace, security, infrastructure, industrialisation, democratic governance and strengthened continental institutions.

“Africa must move on a path to rapid industrialisation. Economic growth will result in more domestic resources being allocated to social service delivery including health” said Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

While development aid has helped it will not deliver sustainable growth and development results in Africa. The continent must continue to explore innovative sources of domestic finance for its development programmes and projects. Africa’s future lies in its ability to generate its own development finance. Africa is indeed responsible for a significant proportion of its development finance as more than $527.3 billion comes from domestic revenues compared to $73.7 billion in private flows and $51.4 billion in official development assistance.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Mark Dybul the Executive Director of the Global Fund, Mr. Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Dr. Abdalla Hamdok, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

For further information contact

Afrah Thabit | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: Thabitma@africa-union.org | Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
Tawanda Chisango |AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) Program Advocacy & Partnership Expert | Social Affairs | African Union Commission I Mobile +251934167052 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

About AIDS Watch Africa
Created at the Abuja 2001 Special Summit, AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) is an Africa-led instrument to stimulate leaders into action and mobilize the resources needed to address AIDS, TB and Malaria in an effective, sustainable and accountable manner. Learn more at www.aidswatchafrica.org

The African Union Commission participates in the Mining On Top Africa (MOTA) 2015

London, United Kingdom, June 25th 2015 – The Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission (AUC) participated on 24-26 June 2015, in the Mining On Top Africa (MOTA) in London under the theme “Connecting nations, investors and industry leaders to drive economic and social development in Africa through mining”. The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) were the associate sponsors of the event.

Mining On Top Africa - London Summit is the most definitive African mining conference for Europe, uniting Minister’s from Africa’s most established and emerging mining economies with global mining executives, investors and service providers to connect and encourage greater stakeholder engagement that will enable Africa to meet its wider, social and economic development agenda through mining. It brings together all the stakeholders to chart the path for developing the continent’s rich mineral wealth to everyone’s benefit. The African Union Commission’s presence at the MOTA has been a priority this year, and provides an opportunity to showcase its activities through an exhibition stand and connect leaders in the extractives industries in both public and private sectors while encouraging continent-wide developmental growth through mining. Adopted by African Union (AU) Heads of State in 2009 and spearheaded by the African Mineral Development Centre (AMDC) since 2013, the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) initiative calls for a structural transformation of the minerals sector in Africa through enhanced linkages with the local economy, increased value addition, promotion of local content and empowerment, and a judicious and prudent use of mineral revenue to build up other forms of capital that can outlast the currency of mining.

Delivering the keynote address of the Summit on behalf of the Commissioner for Trade and Industry, H.E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, the Senior Industry Advisor, Mr. Frank Dixon Mugyenyi pointed out that major African treaties including the Lagos Plan of Action, the Abuja Treaty that established the Economic Community of Africa and the Constitutive act that established the African Union, all proclaimed that development in Africa could only be achieved by a decreased reliance on raw material extraction, industrialization and global equality in trade relations alongside an increase in development aid from the international community. “The Africa Mining Vision, therefore, mandates the African Union Member states to use their natural resources optimally in order to self-propel the much needed social and economic structural transformation that will lead to inclusive growth and sustainable development”, he emphasized. He reminded the participants that African Union Agenda 2063, which was adopted by the Heads of State and Government in January 2015, is an approach to how the continent should effectively learn from the lessons of the past, build on the progress now underway and strategically exploit all possible opportunities available in the immediate and medium term, so as to ensure positive socioeconomic transformation within the next 50 years.

Mr. Mugyenyi also recalled the need for strong and broad partnerships that has always been emphasized by several African policy organs and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma who have all called on stakeholders to work together towards “shared benefits”. He finally called on partners and Member states to support the efforts made by the Africa Minerals Development Center (AMDC) in domesticating the AMV through the implementation of the Country Mining Vision at the country and sub-regional levels. “AU member states and partners including the private sector, need to encourage the ongoing AUC/AMDC efforts in key areas such as: geological data and information, developing and harmonizing coherent policies that support industrialization, inclusive growth and sustainable development, prudent legal and fiscal frameworks, building infrastructure, building the capacity of member states to be able to negotiate complex contracts, supporting artisanal miners and SMEs to be integrated in regional and global minerals value chains, establishing governance systems that ensure mutual transparency and accountability, stop illicit financial and capital flows so that mineral revenues can be used for development of Africa, among others”, he concluded.

In the spirit of continuing the conversation about the AMV, the African Union Commission and the African Minerals development Center also hosted an Evening Cocktail Reception with all the participants.

--------------------------------------------------

For further information please contact: Mr. Frank Dixon Mugyenyi, Senior Industry Advisor, Email: MugyenyeF@africa-union.org

Media contact: Patient Atcho, Department of Trade and Industry, Email: AtchoP@africa-union.org.

Towards One African Market

Next month Africa will take a bold step towards integration with the launch of negotiations for the Continental Free Trade Area (the CFTA). A trader in Ghana with dreams of breaking into the faraway markets of East Africa will be one step closer to making his or her dream a reality. Presidents from all around the continent will gather together at the African Union’s Heads of State and Government Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa (from the 7th to the 15th of June) to launch negotiations that will lead to the establishment of a free trade area to span the continent. Now there’s a real urgency among Africa’s leaders to find ways to break down the barriers that separate their economies. As Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta passionately put it:

“There cannot be a good reason why it is easier for us to trade with Asia, Europe and the Americas, rather than with fellow Africans.”

That sentiment is echoed on the other side of the continent by H.E Mr. John Mahama, President of Ghana and Chair of the High-Level African Trade Committee:

“It was a dream of our founding fathers to create a continent where people can move freely (with) goods and services across the continent. Fast tracking the creation of a CFTA is the way to go”. -

Africa’s leaders have set 2017 as the deadline for establishment of the CFTA. Creating a free trade area among Africa’s 54 countries won’t be easy and will require an enormous amount of energy and effort but there’s a firm belief that for the continent to truly develop Africa must trade with Africa.

But it’s not just about trade.

The CFTA will help address many of Africa’s biggest challenges such as youth unemployment, skills development, women’s empowerment, industrialization and infrastructure development.

The African Union’s Trade Commissioner, H.E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, is inviting key members of the media to join her at the Summit to hear more about the launch of the negotiations of the CFTA and what this historic milestone means for Africa. The Department of Trade and Industry is assembling prominent delegates and African Union representatives for the media to interview. Commissioner Acyl says:

“The CFTA would bring together 54 African countries with a combined population of more than one billion and a combined gross domestic product of more than US$3 trillion. It would establish a single continental market
 for goods and services… help [ing] turn 54 fragmented and individual African economies into a larger and more coherent market.”

Contact information

Please contact the individuals below for further information and to set up interviews:

Batanai Chikwene (Trade Policy Officer, AU Commission): chikweneb@africa-union.org, +251 912 60 10 24

Joanne McNally (Media consultant to the AUC’s Trade and industry Department): joanne@markeddomedia.com or Telephone: +44 7767 787 656

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to register for the summit at http://summits.au.int/en/25thsummit/accreditation

Further information

The Time is Now

The need for action on the CFTA is urgent. The world is changing with the countries in other parts of the globe joining Mega-Regional Trade Agreements (MRTAs), and that is reshaping the global trading system. Africa must act now, or risk being left behind. Research by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa shows that the establishment of the CFTA will better position the African continent vis-à-vis the rest of the world.

Never before have our challenges been so large. Africa faces a myriad of development challenges: high youth unemployment, a low-skilled workforce, and issues of international migration, widespread poverty, gender inequality, and limited industrialization.

At the same time, never have we had so many opportunities to capitalize on. The establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area will help combat these myriad challenges while taking advantage of the opportunities.

2017 is an Ambitious but Achievable Goal

The African Union is planning to conclude the negotiations for the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) by 2017. While we will have to overcome many challenges, we can achieve this goal.

We are not starting from scratch. Progress is already underway with the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), launching in June 2015, which includes 26 African countries, and the 15 countries of ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, which have already come together.

There are also significant gains that can be made by negotiating certain issues that have been less controversial. It is also possible for a coalition of countries to go forward with negotiations for more contentious issues and for other countries to join when they are ready. Ideally, all AU member states should participate in the negotiations and consider making commitments on specific issues as and when they are ready to do so.

And the CFTA has support a wide range of African leaders:

H.E Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of the High-Level African Trade Committee:

“It was a dream of our founding fathers to create a continent where people can move freely and goods and services across the continent. Fast tracking the creation of a CFTA is the way to go”.

H. E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya:

“There cannot be a good reason why it is easier for us to trade with Asia, Europe and the Americas, rather than with fellow Africans.”

H.E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union Commission:

“Our leaders believe in the potential of the CFTA to unleash substantive benefits for Africa’s socio-economic growth and development. Its establishment will significantly boost intra-African trade and investment, making it easier to move goods, services, and people around the continent. It will support 4 sustainable development, create jobs and empowering women, as well as strengthening the geopolitical position of Africa vis-à-vis the rest of the world.”

The CFTA by the Numbers:

54 countries
More than 1 billion people
Over US$3 trillion in total GDP
52% ($35 billion) increase in intra-African trade by 2022
6% increase in African exports

Other Benefits of the CFTA include:

Boosting intra-African trade:

The World Trade Organization estimates that intra-African trade in 2012 was about 12%. This is in stark contrast to much higher rates of intra-regional trade in more developed regions of the world: 60% in Europe, 40% in North America, and 30% in ASEAN.
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) estimates that the CFTA could increase intra-African trade by $35 billion, or 52% above the baseline, by 2022.
It further estimates that agricultural and industrial exports would increase by $4 billion (7%) and $21 billion (5%) above the baseline, respectively.
“There cannot be a good reason why it is easier for us to trade with Asia, Europe and the Americas, rather than with fellow Africans.” – H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya

Increasing exports:

Africa’s share of global trade is only about 3%
UNECA estimates that in conjunction with ongoing initiatives, such as trade facilitation measures to reduce time and cost of trading, the CFTA would help increase Africa’s export volumes to the rest of the world by 6%.

Improving Africa’s political position via-a-vis the rest of the world:

UNECA has shown that the establishment of the CFTA will better position the African continent to negotiate in the multilateral trading system
“Research on the impact of these [Mega-Regional Trade] agreements on Africa is clear: We will be better positioned and better off if we move to establish the CFTA as quickly as possible.” – H.E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, Commissioner for Trade and Industry

As part of the long-term vision of Africa:

The CFTA is a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063
“It was a dream of our founding fathers to create a continent where people can move freely (with) goods and services across the continent. Fast tracking the creation of a CFTA is the way to go”. - H.E Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chair of the High-Level African Trade Committee.

As well as:

Increased food security through reduction of the rate of protection on trade in agricultural produce among African countries
Increased competitiveness of Africa’s industrial products through harnessing the economies of scale of a large continental market of about one billion people
Increase Contact information

Please contact the individuals below for further information and to set up interviews:

Batanai Chikwene (Trade Policy Officer, African Union Commission): chikweneb@africa-union.org, +251 912 60 10 24

Joanne McNally (Media consultant to the AUC’s Trade and industry Department): joanne@markeddomedia.com or Telephone: +44 7767 787 656

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to register for the summit at http://summits.au.int/en/25thsummit/accreditation

d rate of diversification and transformation of Africa’s economy and the continent’s ability to supply its import needs from its own resources
Better allocation of resources, improved competition and reduced price differentials among African countries.
Growth of intra-industry trade and the development of geographically-based specialisation in Africa
Reduced vulnerability of Africa to external trade shocks, and
Enhanced participation of Africa in global trade and reduced dependence of the continent on aid and external borrowing.

Contact information

Please contact the individuals below for further information and to set up interviews:

Batanai Chikwene (Trade Policy Officer, African Union Commission): chikweneb@africa-union.org, +251 912 60 10 24

Joanne McNally (Media consultant to the AUC’s Trade and industry Department): joanne@markeddomedia.com or Telephone: +44 7767 787 656