Press Release N°171/2014
African Union Senior Officials responsible for mineral resources development discuss fast tracking the implementation of the Africa Mining Vision
Luanda, Angola - 13 August 2014. In preparation for the first Bureau Meeting of the third African Union Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development (CAMRMRD) to be held on 13 August 2014, Senior Officials of the Bureau, composed of Algeria, , Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique as well as RECs and key partners, met today to formulate recommendations to be considered by Ministers with regard to the implementation of the AMV, and in particular, the institutionalization and sustainability of the African Minerals Development Center (AMDC).
The formulation of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) is one of the major steps that was taken by the Member States in order to transform the Minerals Sector in the African continent. The AMV was endorsed by the Heads of State and Government at their Assembly held in Addis in February 2009, the AU Heads of State and Government requested “Member States to improve their mineral resources policies, establish appropriate institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks, and invest in human skills, research and development, and geological and geophysical data, that are critical for the efficient and effective management of mineral resources”. They also called upon “the Commission and NEPAD Secretariat, as well as RECs to accelerate the establishment, across Africa, of major integrated corridors for the development and optimal exploitation of the continent’s natural resources”.
The current technical Senior Officials meeting is expected to review the process made since the 3rd AU Conference of Ministers responsible for Mineral Resources Development held in Maputo, Mozambique in December 2013. One of the key objectives is to prepare proposals for the institutionalization and sustainability of the African Mineral Development Centre, which was launched in Maputo as a project aimed at providing policy advisory services to member states in line with the AMV Action Plan.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Treasure Thembisile Maphanga, Director for the Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission recalled the objectives of the meeting and underscored the importance of the Mineral Resources Sector in the strategic partnerships at continental level. “As we progress with the national efforts to move forward on the implementation of the AMV Action Plan, it is evident to all that Regional Economic Communities have a critical role to play in coordinating and providing support to Member States. We also value the essential contribution of the private sector, civil society, and various intergovernmental organizations in full alignment with our Vision. During this meeting we will be seeking your input on how best to engage with these stakeholders in the short term as well as the medium to long term”, she said. She also stressed the importance of the Agenda 2063 by highlighting the progress made over the last 50 years. Mrs. Maphanga mentioned that the realization of the Agenda 2063 vision will critically require that the minerals sector plays its transformative role in the socio economic transformation of Africa. “Having recognized what has transpired over the past 50 years and building on the achievements it made when the African continent has been free of colonial domination, the next 50 years are critical for Africa’s achievement of economic freedom. Agenda 2063 is a framework with milestones, flagship projects to create a continent that is united, peaceful and prosperous”, she concluded.
On his part, the Deputy Minister of Geology and Mines of Angola, Mr. Miguel Bondo Junior recalled the mining history of Angola and urged the Senior Officials t o rapidly implement the African Mining Vision. “As an African country, Angola is in line with the Africa Mining Vision policy to help the continent to deal with the needs of the growing demand of development of the basic mineral products so as to reap benefits that may be used in the effort of eradicating poverty and improving the African people’s living standards”, he said. He concluded by wishing successful deliberations to the participants.
The opening session was also addressed by the representative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) which is currently hosted at the UNECA secretariat in Addis Ababa. He provided an overview of the Centre’s activities and pledged its support towards the realization of the goals and objectives of the AMV. The AMDC is a partnership that includes the United Nations Development Programme, the African Development Bank under the leadership of the African Union Commission. Finally, the Chairperson of the Bureau, Dr. Edouardo Alexandre in his opening remarks, underscored the importance of the meeting as the outcomes will be will be considered by the Ministerial Meeting scheduled to commence today.
For more information, please contact: Frank Mr. Frank Dixon Mugyenyi – Email:mugyenyif@africa-union.org
Media contact: Patient Atcho, Communications Assista
