Events & Activities

Event

Media Roundtable on Domestic Financing for Health, Third International Conferenc

10 July 2015

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA

What: Media Roundtable on Domestic Financing for Health, Third International Conference on Financing for Development

When: 14 July, 2015, 09:30-10:30hrs

Where: Medium Conference Hall, African Union Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Why: For the first time in the history of global health, Africa is mobilising more domestic resources than foreign development investments in health. In the last four years, African countries have increased their domestic resources to respond to HIV by 150 per cent. Between 2006 and 2011 global domestic investment doubled spending on HIV, TB and malaria. In 2012, domestic spending for HIV from low- and middle-income countries represented 53 per cent of all global HIV resources. This is anticipated to increase with the recent acceleration of commitments to universal health coverage.

The media play an important role in advocating for increased allocation of domestic resources to critical social services sectors. They influence both the public and policy agenda. Through agenda setting and advocacy the media can shape the discourse on domestic financing for health. The African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria are thus planning a media roundtable on domestic financing for health on the sidelines of the Financing for Development meeting.

Who:

H.E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the AU Commission- Continental Perspectives- The place of Domestic Financing for Health in Meeting Future Continental Health Priorities

Dr. Mark Dybul, Global Fund, Executive Director- Global Perspectives- the Impact of Financing Disease Responses and Health Systems

Mr Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director- Global Perspectives- Key Lessons from Domestic Financing to End AIDS

Mr. Guido Schmidt-Traub, Executive Director of UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Ownership and Sustainability, 10 min

For further information contact

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke; Media Center Coordinator

Directorate of Information and Communication; AU Commission

Tel: +27-84-7094277; E: mail: molalett@africa-union.org

For further information contact

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

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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

Event

The Republic of South Africa Celebrates the 25th Year of the Adoption of the Day

15 June 2015

The Republic of South Africa Celebrates the 25th Year of the Adoption of the Day of the African Child

The Day of the African Child 2015 under the theme “25 years after the adoption of the African Children’s Charter: Accelerating our Collective Efforts to End Child Marriage in Africa”

Johannesburg, South Africa: 15 June 2015- The Day of the African Child (DAC) is commemorated every year on 16 June by Member States of the African Union (AU), to acknowledge the students of the 1976 Soweto Uprising – a day that contributed greatly to the eventual collapse of the apartheid regime. The day commemorates the violent action inflicted by police officials towardsunarmed school children, protesting against the unjust apartheid education system. The DAC also offers the opportunity for stakeholders across all spheres - governments, international institutions and communities - to address the rights of children as well as a continental awareness of the obstacles for attaining these rights. DAC 2015 commemorated the 25th Anniversary of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and was dedicated towardsthe AU Commission’s commitment tothe eliminationof child marriage in Africa.

The DAC celebrations were aimed at: drawing emphasis toward the negative impact of child marriage and the advantageous outcomes of ending the practice. The fostering of an open discussion and greater awareness by stakeholders - at community, national, regional and continental level - in order to enhance and heighten efforts to accelerate the end of this practice. The need for best practices on ending child marriage in Africa was also highlighted at the tribute, as well as the need to provide a platform for advancing children’s participation in ending child marriage.

Further objectives of DAC 2015 included provision for visibility and advocacy as well as the support of youth projects to end child marriage in AU Member States, as such, stressing the importance of the collaboration of various actors to have more influence on advancing children’s rights.

DAC 2015 was a two day event, on 14th and 15th June 2015, which included a workshop for 100 children on 14 June. The children who participated in the event came from several member states such as Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The workshop was aimed at the development of a joint statement to be presented by the children at the beginning of the program. The workshop also included the objective of developing clear questions to guide the children during the Inter- Generational Dialogue and finally develop the Declaration for the Day of the African Child 2015.

A number of partners facilitated the workshop, which included DSA-AUC,ACERWC, UNICEF, PLAN and UNFPA.The workshop started off with the introduction of the agenda and objectives of the event, as well as the impact and principles of participation from children to foster child rights and end child marriage.

The second day of the commemoratory eventon 15 June commenced with a march from the Mandela House to the Hector Peterson Memorial Museumto honour the legacy of the children of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. The march was attended bychild representatives, RSA Government officials, the AUC, partners from UN and CSOs as well the community around Soweto. Upon reaching the Museum, Ms Faith Mazibuko from the Department of Social Development, Gauteng Province, RSA gave some welcoming remarks to set the tone of the event. To allow for a greater understanding of the commemoration, Ms NomsaMtshweni of the Department of Social Affairs Mpumalanga Province, RSA gave the background and context of June 16. To celebrate the lives and efforts of school children of the Soweto Uprising, Minister Bathabile Dlamini and 39 children, to mark 39 years for June 16, laid wreaths.

Appeals presented at DAC 2015 to ensure the eradication of child marriage This mission in Soweto (South Africa) on the 14 of June 2015, represented by the children of Africa, reiterated the effect of child marriage on the continent, and offered several requests to our governments, parents, guardians, communities, African Union and United Nations. The governments of Member states were implored to enact the laws that say no one will force a girl child into child marriage. The need for an in depth discussion or dialogue between parents and the governments about child marriage served as another key request brought forward by the children of Africa. The African child asked of its governments to facilitate the building of centers or safe havens for child marriage survivors. It is essential that the impact and importance of education be highlighted, and the children asked of our governments to provide them with schools, and offer encouragement for children to complete their education. Essentially, the governments of our African continent were requested to introduceprogrammes for children to enable them to express themselves,and ultimately, create laws and legislation that say NO! to child marriage.

The child participants at the DAC voiced themselves towards their parents, guardians and their community to ensure open discussion sessions as well as allow for the opportunityfor children to express themselves and provide protection, security and education for their children.

The children also requested the African Union and the United Nations, as key bodies, to develop model policies to declare a person who infects a child with HIV during child marriage, condemned a third degree criminal. The United Nations was requested to offer increased protection toward young girls, in order to prevent them from being married off to older men.Knowledge, such as statistic on child marriage is crucial, and the African Union should communicate with health care services in Member States to get such statistics.

The child participants ultimately highlighted that with active participation and involvement from all platforms, organizations, civil society, governments, communities, structures and the children; as well as continental awareness, Africa may see the elimination of child marriage.

Event

ASEOWA Updates

2 June 2015

Event

The Republic of Madagascar Launches AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa

2 June 2015

Antananarivo, 02 June 2015 – “It is important to respect human rights particularly the rights of the child as a main component in the efforts against this harmful practice and Madagascar cannot progress unless we seriously address child marriage which is an impediment to our development" says Her Excellency, Mrs. Vohangy Rajaonarimampianina, First Lady of the Republic of Madagascar.

In her remarks, the First Lady noted that Madagascar has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with devastating effects on the lives of the girls affected. There has been a downward trend in the rate of child marriage in Madagascar, following the law passed in 2007, setting the marriageable age at 18 for girls and boys alike. Previously, girls could be married at 14 and boys at 17. However, child marriage is still common, especially in rural areas where traditional marriage ceremonies are common; mostly backed by age long and strong affinity to social and cultural norms. Her Excellency stressed her full commitment that her office will continue to lead with stakeholders in ending child marriage in Madagascar by also strengthening the national policy to end child marriage.

Recent findings show that nearly half of all Malagasy women (48 per cent) aged 20-24 were married or cohabiting before the age of 18. One in nine girls are married by the age of 15 years. Child marriage has several harmful effects on the overall wellbeing of young girls who are not psychologically, emotionally and physically ready for conjugal life. It increases the probability of having children at a younger age, which increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, maternal mortality and obstetric fistula. Complications of pregnancy and childbearing are the leading cause of death for girls 15-19 in Madagascar.

The launch of the campaign in Madagascar provides an opportunity to further the resolve of the government to continue working with partners, the police, policymakers, women’s associations, local communities and traditional leaders in order to raise awareness on and end gender-based violence, including child marriage. "We will encourage the need for providing girls the chance to be well educated and also the protection of girls who have already been married from abuse within the marriage", said the UNFPA resident representative- Mr Mamadou Dicko

The launch of the campaign which took place in Antananarivo with the official launch in the morning and panel discussion on ending child marriage in the afternoon, was also attended by Government representatives from different Ministries including the lead Ministry on the child marriage Campaign- Ministry of Population, Social Protection and Gender, members of communities affected by child marriage, representatives from the AU Commission, UNFPA, UNICEF and civil society partners. There were musical performances by the children and youth cultural groups, all focusing attention on the harmful tradition practice of children marriage. The closing remark was given by the Prime Minister- Mr Jean Ravelonarivo he reinforced the need for collective action and commitment by all attending stakeholders to end child marriage in Madagascar and work towards provision of equal opportunities to both boys and girls as they are the backbone of the country’s human capital. The Campaign was launched with a brief statement of commitment to ending child marriage in Madagascar by H.E. First Lady.

About the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa.

The campaign was launched at the continental level in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29 May, 2014, during the Conference of Ministers of Social Development. It aims at ending child marriage by: (i) supporting legal and policy actions in the protection and promotion of human rights, (ii) mobilizing continental awareness of the negative socio-economic impact of child marriage, (iii) building social movement and social mobilization at the grassroots and national levels; and (iv) increasing the capacity of non-state actors to undertake evidence based policy advocacy including the role of youth leadership through new media technology, monitoring and evaluation among others.

End ###

For further information, please contact

Ms. Nena Thundu; THUNDUN@africa-union.org

Mr. Kenneth Oliko; Kennetho@africa-union.org

pages.au.int/cecm | www.facebook.com/OurGirlsAfrika | www.twitter.com/ourgirlsau

Event

African Union holds Memorial Service for Migrant Victims

27 May 2015

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27th May 2015: “Member States must do more to make their countries attractive, safer and prosperous enough to discourage our future leaders of tomorrow from making these perilous journeys” emphasized the Commissioner for Social Affairs, H.E Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko during the migrant victims’ memorial service held at the African Union headquarters on 27th May 2015.

This event, organized by the African Union, brought under one roof African ambassadors and Embassies accredited to the AU, Partners, Local and International Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, students, religious leaders and Returned migrants.

In his remarks, the Commissioner expressed concern at the pattern in which young people are losing their lives through the hazardous journeys in search of better lives and order to support their families and underscored the need to find immediate and long-term solutions to prevent this kind of catastrophes.

“Despite the initiatives that the African Union is undertaking on the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration, we have to accept that the challenges still remain and more needs to be done. We need to make a conscious effort to address the root causes of these tragedies by building each other up honestly and sincerely. We all can promote the positives of migration and minimize its negatives in our bid to fast track African integration which the AU Vision and Pan Africanism seek to promote.” Dr Kaloko said.

The Commissioner highlighted that the event is not only to pay tribute and to honor the victims, but a time to reflect on where we have gone wrong and how we can all work on preventing such recurrent calamities in the future.

The Ethiopian Government Representative, Ambassador Wahade Belay echoed the Commissioners’ sentiments, acknowledging that indeed irregular migration is a major challenge noting well that this increasingly severe situation requires a comprehensive and universal response to address and eliminate the abuse, violence and exploitation experienced by migrants and stressing the urgency for not only national but global action. “We need to get durable and comprehensive approaches to this situation within the context of poverty eradication, creation of employment and sustainable development,” he said.

African Union Commission and partners, notably the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Labor Organization (ILO) and European Commission (EC) have been promoting the need for coordination on migration management, supporting Member States in strengthening responses to irregular migration and transnational organized crime, notably trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, and the protection of persons of concern.

The AU partners, present in the event, also reiterated the fact that the situation needs to be addressed by attacking the root causes, agreeing that the challenge is huge and needs international interventions. The partners reaffirmed their support and promised to continue working closely with the African Union to find a permanent solution to these vices.

The service ended with prayers and benediction from religious leaders.

Event

The 4th Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC4) Sandton Convention Centre, Johanne

25 May 2015

THE 4TH PACC ADOPTED ITS REPORT AND FRAMEWORK OF ACTION

Johannesburg, South Africa- 27 May 2015 – Following three-day intense discussions, the Fourth Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC4) adopted the draft Framework for Action and the Report of the PACC4. Both documents will be submitted to the 2nd Specialized Technical Committee Meeting on Youth Culture and Sport (STC-YCS2) to be held in 2016.

Co-organized from 25 to 27 May 2015 at the Sandton Convention Center, by the African Union Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa as part of its Africa Month Celebrations, the 2015 edition of the PACC was held under the theme:

“Unity in Cultural Diversity for Africa’s Development.”

The debate focused on the theme of PACC4; the cultural Diversity and Human Rights; the culture for Peace and Cultural Diversity as well as cultural Diversity and cultural governance. The approach to inventorying artists, professional and cultural structures and cultural infrastructures to inform cultural policy development and post 2015 Development Agenda for Culture have been discussed. The meeting shared as well views on the ways and means to improving understanding and cooperative relations; the issue of language as a depository and vehicle for cultural diversity and factor in Africa’s development and integration. The presentation of the Agenda 2063 communication strategy constituted an opportunity to discuss the appropriate approach to communicating Africa’s transformation in view to reach the main stakeholders: the African citizens. (The presentation of the Agenda 2063 communication strategy available on the AU Web Site: www.au.int.)

The participants highlighted the need for Africa to put an end to the suppression of cultural expression of one group by another and for African culture to be domesticated where other cultures tend to dominate in African communities, calling for the diminishment of the distance between cultural conferences and people at grassroots level for the latter to be able to participate effectively. An appeal

was done to the AU to provide structures for the contributions of civil society to be incorporated more effectively and in this regard, the establishment of national chapters of ECOSOCC were considered as critical. The meeting stressed the necessity to expand and promote local arts and cultural festivals, and to invite participants from other countries to foster integration and tolerance between cultures.

The meeting specified that diversity and Human Rights are crucial pillars supporting cultural development in Africa, while culture is an important tool of human heritage with power to strengthen social cohesion as a fundamental pillar for achieving lasting peace and development for any nation. It embraces freedom and democracy and it should be considered how arts and culture can be used for cultural diplomacy in dealing with conflicts, noting that a model culture policy for Africa is proposed, containing the elements of institutional structures and decision making, arts policy domains and instruments stressing that a database and mapping of existing artistic trends is important for each country.

The participants underlined the need for education to be mobilised to realise linguistic rights; to use African languages in all levels of society. The meeting underscored that Africa should understand its history, to be able to start new creative industries and use its creativity to enhance the African economy. The meeting called for the improvement of culture governance, training, decentralisation, policy advocacy for creative solidarity and partnership all over the world.

The PACC4 stated that Africa should strive for linguistic equity in order to catalyse acceleration of indigenous languages that have remained in the periphery of the development agenda stressing that there are several barriers that still need special attention: Trade barriers, language barriers, visa, official collaboration between African countries, Infrastructure challenges.

Some critical recommendations were made. They include:

 Develop a culture of accepting one another through embracing diversified cultural expressions within the context of Human Rights principles;

 Promote and advocate the strengths of African diversity and incorporate it in the education curriculum;

 Promote African languages and introduce them in the school curriculum,

 AU must commit to the use of African languages in its meetings;

 Leadership should lead by example in using and promoting their African languages;

 Adoption of a Pan-African Language;

 Focus on children and young people, to educate them about cultural activities and socialise the children to develop national pride;

 Define steps to achieve African aspirations, more specifically aspiration 4 and 5 dealing with a peaceful continent, culture and heritage, respectively, following the adoption of Agenda 2063;

 Establish Platforms for interaction with indigenous groups at community level and other fora such as PACC;

 Establishment by Ministries of Culture of a research structure and ensure close relationship with Arts Faculties at universities for the purposes of developing and evaluating cultural policies.

 AU Member states should improve their planning in culture, also at local level;

 Protect Minority cultural groups in all countries and raise awareness of their cultural rights;

 Redress the economic returns of what artists are paid for their work;

 Establish dedicated offices or desks for culture in regional and continental bodies;

 Set up a forum of artists and policy makers in all countries for good governance of cultural policies;

 Mobilise wwealth of Africa for the development of Africa;

 Make efforts to understand African history and use African creativity to enhance the African economy and develop new creative industries.

 Advocate for creative solidarity and partnership all over the world;

 Move culture to the centre of sustainable development;

 Identify preconditions for Agenda 2063 to succeed and put together an operating environment for Africa’s Cultural Sector to prosper;

 Accelerate the ratification and domestication of relevant conventions and charters (Only 8 countries have ratified the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance);

 Promotion of cultural diplomacy;

 Accelerate the renewed attention on developing the African Cultural Common Market;

 Set up greater partnership between the cultural and creative sector and governments;

 Reduction of the dependency on foreign funders, and exploration of diversified funding models within Africa;

 Encourage regional and continental cultural and technical exchange through enhanced communication technologies;

 Reduction of the obstructions to the mobility of artists, cultural goods and services within regions, and within the continent;

 Envisage a Visa free for all Africans.

The Full report and the Framework of Action available on the AU web Site: www.au.int. HMC/WM

For any inquiry, please contact:

Ms. Zodwa Mpanza | Deputy Director of International Relations | Department of Arts and Culture, South Africa | Tel: + 27 82 884 3322| Email: ZodwaM@dac.gov.za

Media contact: Ruphus Matibe | Email: ruphusm@dac.gov.za | Tel: +27 83 608 27 80

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

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Event

AUC – AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards) Joint Conference /Roundtable Discussion

29 April 2015

MEDIA ADVISORY

AUC – AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards) Joint Conference /Roundtable Discussion

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: AUC – AFRIMA Joint Conference/Roundtable

Theme: “Using Music, Culture and Entertainment as tools for a new Africa”

Who: Department of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC) and All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)

When: 29th April 2015

Where: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Objectives:-

• Provide a platform for music professional and practitioners, recording artistes, cultural experts, policy makers and shapers, corporate sector and media working in the creative and culture sectors to interface within Africa’s rapidly evolving music scene and contribute to its transformation narrative.

• Promote the cultural and musical heritage of Africa; stimulate conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe about the great potentials and values of the African culture and artistic heritage.

• Identify challenges in the implementation of instruments related to the promotion of African music and culture

• Stimulate advocacy among the media to project the benefits of the African creative industry as a driver of the creative economy holding limitless potential for the economic and socio-political development of Africa.

• Review the mission and objectives of the AFRIMA programme of activities in partnership with the African Union Commission and mobilise greater participation and inclusiveness across the continent.

• Unveil the 2015 AFRIMA Calendar of events as it pertains to promoting the AU cultural agenda for peace building, integration, democracy, economic advancement and youth/social development.

Expected Outcome: Collaboration between the African Union Commission, the All Music Awards (AFRIMA) Initiative and other music stakeholders strengthened and enhanced;

2015 AFRIMA programme of events unveiled;

All Africa Music Awards Initiative publicised and disseminated;

African cultural and creative industries promoted.

Participants: The participants of the events will include: H.E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs; Mr. Mike Dada, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer; AFRIMA International Committee; Music experts and Media personnel

-

Background: Creative economies are still in the stages of infancy in Africa, as our continent's economies remain heavily resource dependent. But the industries are providing Africa with real economic traction, a hub of cultural heritage with the opportunity to diversify its economy while at the same time stimulating social, cultural and political development.

Furthermore, the cultivation/exploration of creative and cultural industries is imperative to satisfy the demands of a labor market dominated by an ever-increasing youth bulge.

The fact that 200 million people in Africa are aged between 15 and 24 (with projections of these figures doubling by 2045 as per the 2012 African Economic Outlook report by the African Development Bank Group), further contributes to the prospects of innovative and entrepreneurial strategies that will significantly boost the creative and cultural industries of the continent. Africans are expected to reach a population of two billion by 2050, the majority under the age of 35, translating into a new consumer class.

As part of the channels to communicate this mission and connect Africans, AFRIMA put together the world-class 2014 awards ceremony and programme of activities across the globe bringing the live experience of our cultural and musical entertainment to millions of fans and followers in Africa and beyond.

For the 2015 edition to be hosted in Nigeria, AFRIMA is again aligning its values of promoting African unity and celebrating cultural uniqueness along the lines of the African Union Commission’s Charter for African Cultural Renaissance adopted in 2006 and which constitutes significant achievements for the promotion of cultural diversity and African cultural identity.

The concept of African Cultural Renaissance is hailed as one of the main stimuli to fuel the realization of the AU’s vision for peace building, integration, democracy and active participation in the world’s joint effort towards sustainable development and mutual enrichment.

AFRIMA will sustain and achieve this objective through various conferences involving the culture, business and entertainment sectors of African economy, music concerts at entertainment venues and on university campuses to further align the 18-24 target audience to African music and culture.

The One-Day Programme is divided into three sections:

1. A Closed-Door Roundtable Session involving AU Executives and AFRIMA International Executives

2. Roundtable conference with AU executives, AFRIMA International Committee members, 2014 award winners and media

3. A Joint Press Conference

Media representatives are invited to cover the event.

Attached is the work program of the event:

Contact:

DSA/AUC: Ms. Angela Martins

Head of Culture Division; Department of Social Affairs; E-mail: MartinsA@africa-Union.org .

AFRIMA: Ms. Adenrele Niyi

Programme Director; E-mail:

For any media enquiries, please contact:

Esther Azaa Tankou, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission

Tel: +251 911361185, E-mail: yamboue@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

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Event

High-level Dialogue on Defeating Malaria in Africa by 2030, Addis Ababa, Ethiopi

25 April 2015

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn calls for the development of African Roadmap for malaria elimination

Nine African countries on target to achieve Millennium Development Goals targets on Malaria

Addis Ababa – 25th April 2015: The Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn made a call for the continental body to develop an African Roadmap to eliminate malaria by 2030.

“The transition from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals should also sustain the gains we have made and move towards malaria elimination as advocated in our Africa 2030 agenda to eliminate malaria” said Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in a statement delivered on his behalf by Ethiopian Health Minister Dr. Kesetebirhan Admassu during the Big Push to Defeat Malaria by 2030 high level dialogue hosted at the African Union Commission headquarters to commemorate World Malaria Day.

This year’s commemorations come at a pivotal moment when the progress in responding to malaria in Africa includes a 54% decline in malaria mortality rates and a reduction of malaria mortality rates among children by 58% since 2000. Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Eritrea, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Africa and Swaziland are on track to MDG 6. Increased political commitment and increased funding have helped to reduce malaria incidence by 34% in Africa. In spite of these tremendous results however Africa continues to account for 82% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths worldwide.

“We should work in unison to ensure that the US$1 billion of the estimated annual continental resource requirement is fully funded to ensure that the high-burden African countries are able to replace expiring long-lasting insecticide treated nets” said Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, the Commissioner for Social Affairs.

There were exponential increases in funding and implementation for malaria control programmes over the past decade. International disbursements for malaria control significantly increased, rising from less than US$ 0.5 per case (US$ 100 million total spend) in 2000 to more than US$ 8 per case in 2012 (US$ 1.84 billion total spend). These increased funds were focused on Africa. During the meeting various ambassadors underscored the need for more education and research on more tools to address malaria control beyond the use of nets.

The review of the Abuja Call this year recommended its extension to 2030 in line with the 2013 Abuja Declaration which outlines key actions to defeat malaria. Africa has already demonstrated this deep reflection and pace setting through the African Common Position on the Post 2015 Development Agenda and the reengineering of Africa’s health priorities in the context of a new health architecture better prepared for disease surveillance and response. Plans to establish the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention are already at an advanced stage.

This year the commemorations are being celebrated under the theme “Invest in future, defeat malaria”. The meeting was attended by Ambassadors accredited to the African Union, Universities and various development partners.

AMT/

For further information contact

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 An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

About the African Leaders Malaria Alliance-The African Leaders Malaria Alliance is a ground breaking coalition of 49 African Heads of State and Government working across country and regional borders to achieve near-zero malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. Learn more at http://www.alma2015.org

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Event

African Union Commends Latest Financial Support in the Fight against Ebola worth

22 April 2015

AFRICAN UNION COMMENDS LATEST FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST EBOLA WORTH $950 MILLION

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 22 April 2015: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, commends the latest financial support bequeathed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in the fight against Ebola. Totaling $950 million, the financial support was confirmed at the World Bank-IMF Spring Meeting held in the United States this past weekend.

The funds, $300 million from AfDB and $650 million from WBG, will be used to restore social and economic stability to the three Ebola-affected countries in West Africa by improving existing health facilities, advancing the supply of electricity, water and sanitation and upgrading and maintaining the road systems.

“A reduction in the number of new Ebola cases is evident over the past few weeks and the African Union Support to Ebola in West Africa (ASEOWA) is focused on getting each affected country to zero cases so that the socio-economic recovery can begin in earnest. The financial support provided by both AfDB and the WBG will go a long way in helping affected citizens recover from the devastating impact of the disease; we are grateful for the continued support of both AfDB and WBG since the outbreak of Ebola in December 2013”, explained Dr. Dlamini Zuma.

The funds will be allocated in accordance with the agreements signed by the three heads of State of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone and the funders.

Ends.

About #AfricaAgainstEbola:

The #AfricaAgainstEbola campaign is coordinated by the Africa Against Ebola Solidarity Trust, a registered charity, in partnership with the African Union. All donations made to the Africa Against Ebola Solidarity Trust will be used to train, equip and deploy African health workers in the fight against Ebola and to build long term local health capacity. In partnership with the African Union, our mission is to mobilize resources to send much-needed health workers – drawn from within Africa – to the Ebola-afflicted countries. Under the operational coordination of the African Union Support to West Africa (ASEOWA), trained doctors and nurses will care for those infected, help contain the disease and strengthen local hospitals and care centers. Our vision is a resilient Africa that is able to respond effectively and rapidly in times of crisis.

Resource Mobilisation

The African Union recently introduced a campaign, #AfricaAgainstEbola, to mobilise citizens in the fight against the disease. SMS “Stop Ebola” to 7979 or visit the campaign’s official website, http://www.africaagainstebola.org/ to donate $1 or for more information.

Event

25th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE RIGHTS AND WELF

21 April 2015

Event

First Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Lab

20 April 2015

MEDIA ADVISORY

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

MINISTERIAL SESSION OF THE 1ST MEETING OF THE SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (STC-SDLE-1)

What: The 1st session of the specialized technical committee (STC) on social development, labour and employment

Theme: Social Protection for Inclusive Development

When: 23-24: April

Where: New African Union Conference Centre, AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: The Meeting is organised by the Department of Social Affairs, AUC.

Objectives: The meeting will among others, consider the challenges faced by women in African labour markets, and discuss appropriate and bold measures to improve the status of women in labour markets as well as their social protection needs to contribute to the AU theme of the year 2015.

The first five year priority programme for implementation of the January 2015 AU Assembly declaration and plan of Action on Employment, Poverty Eradication and Inclusive Development will also be considered.

Other social inclusion challenges for vulnerable groups in member states will be addressed, including the expansion of social protection systems to combat poverty and exclusion, as well as to establish synergies among the social development, labour and employment sectors to enable the joint operationalization of the specialised technical committee.

The social impact of Ebola in general and on the nature of social protection interventions required for the affected countries is also on the agenda of the STC-SDLE-1, as well as the AU Agenda 2063 and the contribution of social protection and inclusive development to the development process.

Journalists are invited to attend and cover the opening session of the experts meeting on 23RD April at 09:00.

Further media inquiries and requests for interviews should be directed to:

Mrs Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Communication and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org

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/

Event

First Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Lab

20 April 2015

MEDIA ADVISORY

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

MINISTERIAL SESSION OF THE 1ST MEETING OF THE SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (STC-SDLE-1)

What: The 1st session of the specialized technical committee (STC) on social development, labour and employment

Theme: Social Protection for Inclusive Development

When: 23-24: April

Where: New African Union Conference Centre, AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: The Meeting is organised by the Department of Social Affairs, AUC.

Journalists are invited to attend and cover the opening session of the experts meeting on 23RD April at 09:00.