Events
-
January 31, 2014Commissioner Tumusiime underscores AU’s Achievement on Water and Sanitation in AfricaPress Release Nº35 /22nd AU SUMMIT
Commissioner Tumusiime underscores AU’s Achievement on Water and Sanitation in AfricaAddis Ababa, 31 January, 2014: H.E Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union (AU) and Hon. Sarah Reng - Ochekpe, Minister for Water Resources, Federal Republic of Nigeria held a press conference today 31 January 2014 at the AU headquarters during which they highlighted the progress done on water and sanitation sector in Africa. The two panelists also discussed ways to accelerate the water and sanitation goals in the continent.
The briefing focused on the importance of water and sanitation as a key driver for development and poverty alleviation in Africa. It was noted that the Africa water vision 2025 calls for an Africa where there is an equitable and sustainable use and management of water resources for poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, regional cooperation and the environment.
The engagement of the African Union Commission for the past four years in the mobilization of key stakeholders and development partners to support the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) and to build a strong partnerships with the AU member states and the Regional Economic Communities for the establishment of regular monitoring, evaluating and reporting mechanism in the progress of implementation of the commitments on water and sanitation for the African Union Assembly was also explained during the briefing.
The inaugural report presented, was also said to have been prepared through extensive consultations and capacity building to designated focal points from member states.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner explained that, the pursuit of the African Vision 2025 is said to be not an option given the need to unleash Africa’s development potential but that this pioneer will be taken as a pilot in which through collaboration with all stakeholders and development partners, it is hoped to strengthen human resources and logistical capacity of member states in the coming years for improving monitoring, evaluating and reporting on progress in developing the water and sanitation sector in Africa.
NTH / EAT
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@africa-union.org I Web Site www.au.int I Addis Ababa | EthiopiaFollow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommissionLearn more at:
http://www.au.int -
January 31, 2014The African Institute for Remittances (AIR) will be fully operational in 2015. The AU Executive Councilselected the...
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
The African Institute for Remittances (AIR) will be fully operational in 2015. The AU Executive Councilselected the Republic of Kenya to host the AIR Secretariat.
Addis Ababa January 31, 2014; The African Union Executive Council, in its 24th Ordinary Session on 27 – 28 January 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, accepted the offer from the Republic of Kenya to host the African Institute for Remittances (AIR). The Councilrequested the African Union Commission (AUC) to conclude the Host Agreement with the Republic of Kenya so as to ensure the formal take-off of the Institute in 2014. It also requested the World Bank and other development partners to support the Institute. The Institute is expected to be fully operational by the year 2015.
“I am delighted that the Executive Council has decided that the Republic of Kenya will host the AIR. The establishment of AIR, the first of its kind in the world,is a cornerstone in harnessing Diaspora resourcesfor social and economic development in Africa” said Dr. Mustapha S. Kaloko, Commissioner of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission. He also called upon development partners to continue supporting the Institute.
AIR project partners – AUC, World Bank, European Commission (EC), African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - agreed to the need for sustained collaboration and coordination ofefforts in support of the Institute to achieve the planned improvement inthe market for remittances and to leverage their impact on development in the continent.
Background
The decision to create AIR was taken by the AUC in the framework of the Africa-EU partnership on Migration, Mobility and Employment, for the purpose of leveraging the untapped development potential of remittance flows to the African continent. The magnitude of remittances to Africa has grown remarkably in recent years, gaining the attention of the international development community due to their positive impact on the living standards of beneficiaries. However, their precise volume is unknown and presumed undercounted, their transfer cost remains unacceptably high by international standards and their full potential for economic and social development is largely unexploited.
Thus the AIR Project was launched in 2010 with funding from the EC, execution by the World Bank in collaboration with AfDB and the IOM),with the primary objective of facilitating the AU Member States and the African Union Commission in establishing AIR.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information, please Contact;
Ambassador Olawale I. Maiyegun, Director of Social Affairs Department: MaiyegunO@africa-union.org
Ms. Soheyla Mahmoudi, Senior Operations Officer, World Bank: Smahmoudi@worldbank.org
Mr. Ron Hendrix, Program Manager, EU Delegation to AU: Ron.HENDRIX@eeas.europa.eu
Ms. Bernadette Dia Kamgnia, African Development Bank: B.KAMGNIA@AFDB.ORG
Mr. Josiah Ogina, Head of Mission to Ethiopia and Rep to AU/ECA/IGAD, IOM: jogina@iom.int -
January 31, 2014Les chefs d’État et de gouvernement africains s’engagent à soutenir le Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain (...
Communiqué de presse No38/22e SOMMET DE l’UA
Les chefs d’État et de gouvernement africains s’engagent à soutenir le Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain (AWHF)
africaine.
La Présidente de la Commission a rappelé que le Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain a été créé par l’UA en vertu des décisions prises à la première Conférence des ministres de la Culture de l’Union africaine en 2005 à Nairobi, et approuvées par le Sommet des chefs d’État et de gouvernement de l’Union africaine tenu en 2006 à Khartoum.
Dr Zuma a exprimé son inquiétude au sujet de la grande urgence de sauvegarder l’héritage culturel au cours d’un conflit et de gérer les menaces alarmantes provenant des activités d’extraction et d’expansion sur l’ensemble du continent. Elle a souligné qu’il est extrêmement urgent que le Fonds appuie les programmes de formation en gestion de risques et finance davantage les initiatives de conservation.
«Nous pouvons faire croître nos économies et résoudre nos problèmes sociaux, mais notre croissance culturelle, c’est notre âme. L’Afrique ne doit pas négliger son âme», a affirmé Dr Zuma en guise de conclusion à son allocution. Selon M. Sibusiso Xaba, Président de l’AWHF, les objectifs du Fonds sont les suivants: i) rendre crédible, représentative et équilibrée la liste du patrimoine mondial ; ii) assurer la gestion et la conservation durables des sites du patrimoine mondial en Afrique ; et iii) assurer que les moyens de subsistance des communautés locales vivant au sein et autour des sites du patrimoine mondial sont améliorés grâce à des activités économiques durables. «Nous pourrions considérer que les cinq dernières années ont été consacrées à la formation du Fonds, et je voudrais remercier les États membres de l’Union africaine de leur appui inébranlable au Fonds, s’assurant que nous avons jeté des bases solides pour la
1
Addis-Abeba (Éthiopie), 31 janvier 2014: La Présidente de la Commission de l’Union africaine, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, a coprésidé une manifestation du Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain/de l’Union africaine (UA) avec
M. Sibusiso Xaba, Président du Conseil d’administration du Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain. L’événement a été coorganisé en marge de la vingt- deuxième session ordinaire de la Conférence de l’UA, au Siège de l’Union
conservation et la gestion de nos lieux de patrimoine culturel et naturel», a ajouté M. Xaba.
M. Getachew Engida, Directeur général adjoint de l’UNESCO, a pris la parole au nom de Mme Irina Bokova, Directrice générale de l’UNESCO. Il a déclaré que le Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain contribue à valoriser l’héritage africain à tous les niveaux grâce au renforcement des capacités des gestionnaires des sites, des professionnels du patrimoine et des communautés locales qui bénéficient de cours de préparation à la gestion des risques et grâce à la conversion et la réhabilitation des sites en danger. Il a aussi souligné que le Fonds a produit une nouvelle génération de professionnels du patrimoine en Afrique.
S’agissant des défis, M. Engida a mis en lumière l’extension urbaine et le tourisme, le braconnage et l’extraction non durable des ressources, portant gravement atteinte aux sites naturels, à leur faune et à leur flore. Il a ajouté : «C’est alarmant de constater que 17 sites africains figurent sur la liste du patrimoine mondial en danger. Cela signifie que l’Afrique abrite presque la moitié de tous les sites en danger – aucune autre région affiche un pourcentage aussi élevé».
Président d’honneur de l’AWHF et représentant du secteur privé, M. Phuthuma Nhleko a déclaré : «Il est tout simplement impossible de réaliser la Renaissance africaine en l’absence d’une vision convergente et totalement intégrée et tripartite sur les plans politique, commercial et culturel. La prédominance d’un aspect sans les autres n’est pas durable». Il a invité l’ensemble du secteur privé africain d’aider à créer le troisième volet de la trilogie qu’il a décrite.
D’autres participants à cette manifestation ont également pris la parole. M. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Président de la République de Mauritanie et Président de l’Union africaine ; M. Hifikepunye Pohamba, Président de la République de Namibie, qui a promis de contribuer 50 000 $EU cette année ; M. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Président de la République du Kenya, qui s’est engagé à contribuer 1 500 000 $EU; M. Jacob Zuma, Président de la République d’Afrique du Sud, a promis de contribuer un montant supplémentaire de 1 000 000 $EU - l’Afrique du Sud couvre les frais de fonctionnement annuels du Fonds.
En outre, des interventions ont été prononcées au nom de M. Idris Debby, Président de la République du Tchad, dont le Ministre de la Culture a promis une contribution de
100 000 $EU; de M. Kailash Purryag, Président de la République de Maurice ; de M. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Président de la République algérienne démocratique et populaire, dont la délégation a promis de contribuer 100 000 $EU annuellement, d’envoyer des experts au siège du Fonds, d’abriter la réunion du Conseil d’administration et de former des Africains sur le terrain au niveau universitaire.
Dans son allocution de clôture, D. Mustapha S. Kaloko, Commissaire de l’Union africaine en charge des Affaires sociales, a vivement exhorté les États membres à ratifier promptement la Charte de la Renaissance culturelle africaine qui, à ce jour, selon le Commissaire, n’a été ratifiée que par six pays.
2
RA/wzm
Pour de plus amples renseignements, s’adresser à :
Direction de l’Information et de la Communication | Commission de l’Union africaine I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Sit Web: www.au.int I Addis-Abeba | Éthiopie
Nous suivre sur :
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission
En savoir plus au :
http://www.au.int -
January 30, 2014Seven African Countries Lead the Continent in Malaria Control Annual awards – bestowed at the AU – highlight how Africa...
30 January, 2014 Contact: Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saleemah@alma2015.org
+251 939 643 193
SEVEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES LEAD THE CONTINENT IN MALARIA CONTROL
Annual awards – bestowed at the AU – highlight how Africa’s future
is inextricably tied to progress in defeating malaria
Today during the official opening of the African Union Summit of heads of state, H.E. Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique, conferred the 2014 African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Awards for Excellence in Vector Control to Cape Verde, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe,and Swaziland. Each country has demonstrated exemplary leadership in maintaining at least 95% coverage year round of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) and/or Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) interventions, the most important tools in preventing malaria.
Malaria is a leading cause of child deaths and kills 627,000 people every year, most in Africa. The continent has made tremendous progress in the delivery and use of life-saving tools in the fight against malaria, including LLINs, IRS, rapid diagnostic tests, and effective treatments, including preventative care during pregnancy.Yet malaria continues to wreak a huge toll on Africa. It burdens already fragile health systems; it is a leading cause of absenteeism in schools; it negatively impacts agricultural productivity and businesses large and small when employees and entrepreneurs are kept from their work; and it robs African countries of at least USD $12billion every year in economic potential.
“We cannot lose ground in our struggle to end preventable deaths and suffering from malaria” said President Guebuza, who serves as Chair of ALMA. “Our people and our communities are counting on us to continue to scale proveninterventions to insure that no African loses their livelihood or life to this ancient disease.”
Last month, the World Malaria Report declared that as a result of significant scaling-up of malaria control interventions, an estimated 3.1 million lives have been saved in Africa since 2000, reducing malaria mortality rates by 49%. And while funding challenges remain, resources for malaria prevention globally have grown from $100 million in 2000 to an estimated $1.9 billion in 2013. ALMA’s current Chair, H. E. President Guebuza of Mozambique, has rallied his peers and partners to increase malaria funding so that we sustain these impressive gains.ALMA was founded by H.E. President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania to create a platform for Africa’s presidents and prime ministers to accelerate action on malaria prevention and control. ALMA’s second chair, H.E. President Ellen Sirleaf of Liberia, continued to promote performance and accountability through the innovative ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action. Winners of ALMA’s Awards for Excellence are selected by an independent committee representing the World Health Organization (WHO), Roll Back Malaria (RBM), the private sector, civil society and academia. For more information about ALMA and for a profile of the progress shown by the seven winning countries, please visit www.alma2015.org.
-
January 30, 2014
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Addis Ababa, 27 January 2014African Girls and Young Women Dialogue with African Leaders at AU Summit and Issue Recommendations Setting out Priorities for the Continent
Girls and young women are the future of the African continent, yet are seldom heard.
On 30 January 2014, during an innovative dialogue, some 50 girls and young women will issue a set of recommendations to political and business leaders from around the continent to make their voices heard.
The High Level Intergenerational Dialogue Breakfast Meeting, organised by the World YWCA, UN Women and the Nike Foundation, takes place as African Union states are poised to determine their common position ahead of the negotiations for what follows the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.
These girls and young women, representing the continent of Africa, will speak directly to African leaders, and will hand over a statement setting out their priorities and needs for the forthcoming negotiations on the post-2015 agenda to UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Media are invited to attend.
When: January 30, 2014 - from 7.30 – 9.30am
Where: Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Please register by Wednesday 29 January 2014
Interviews with participants will be made available upon request.
Media contacts:
UN Women: christian.mulumba@unwomen.org /+251 939 846 086
World YWCA: vivian.hakkak@worldywca.org / +4178 740 24 22
Nike Foundation: Pete.Lewis@nike.com / +1503 869 9653------------------------------------------------------
AVIS AUX MÉDIASPour diffusion immédiate
Addis-Abeba, le 27 Janvier 2014Les filles et les jeunes femmes africaines engagent un dialogue avec les dirigeants africains au Sommet de l'Union Africaine et émettent des recommandations définissant les priorités pour le continent
Les filles et les jeunes femmes sont l'avenir du continent africain, mais sont rarement entendues.
Le 30 Janvier 2014, au cours d'un dialogue innovant, quelque 50 jeunes femmes et filles vont émettre une série de recommandations aux dirigeants politiques et économiques de tout le continent africain pour faire entendre leur voix .
Le dialogue intergénérationnel de haut niveau organisé par l’organisation mondiale du YWCA, l’ONU Femmes et la Fondation Nike, a lieu au moment où les États membres de l'Union Africaine sont prêts à déterminer leur position commune en vue des négociations sur les objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement et l’agenda post-2015.
Ces jeunes femmes et filles, qui représentent le continent africain, parleront directement aux dirigeants africains, et leur remettront une déclaration énonçant les priorités et les besoins pour les négociations à venir sur l'agenda post -2015 , à travers la Directrice Executive d'ONU Femmes , Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka .
Les médias sont invités à y assister.
Quand : 30 Janvier, 2014 - de 7h30 - 09h30
Où: Radisson Blu Hôtel Addis-Abeba , Ethiopie
Prière de s’inscrire d’ici Mercredi 29 Janvier 2014
Les entretiens avec les participants seront disponibles sur requête.
Contacts pour les médias :
ONU Femmes : christian.mulumba @ unwomen.org / 251 939 846 086
YWCA Mondiale : vivian.hakkak @ worldywca.org / +4178 740 24 22
Fondation Nike : Pete.Lewis @ nike.com / +1503 869 9653 -
January 30, 2014Email from the Future, Election of New Chairperson and Awards to Prominent Africans Mark Opening Session of African...PRESS RELEASE No. 23 / 22nd AU SUMMIT
Email from the Future, Election of New Chairperson and Awards to Prominent Africans Mark Opening Session of African Union Assembly Meeting
Addis Ababa, 30 January 2014- An “email from the future” delivered by African Union Commission Chairperson Dr NkosazanaDlaminiZuma has served to encourage Africa to continue its fifty year development agenda (Agenda 2063), with the confidence that it is possible for the continent to achieve prosperity, integration and peace within that time, or less.
Delivered during the opening of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, the email is written to a hypothetical “Kwame Nkrom” by “Nkosazana”.
Speaking from the year 2063, after the full implementation of Africa’s Agenda 2063, the email lauds the progress achieved in initiatives that are, at present, being pursued by Africa. These include programmes on achieving an integrated Africa,developing industry and manufacturing, advanced use of information and communication technologies, mastery over the oceans and their wealth, beneficiation of minerals and natural resources, intra African trade, and sufficient infrastructure. In her message to “Kwame”, “Nkosazana” talks about an Africa that has turned itself from an importer of food to a major exporter.
“My friend, Africa has indeed transformed herself from an exporter of raw materials with a declining manufacturing sector in 2013, to become a major food exporter, a global manufacturing hub, a knowledge centre,” the email reads.The Africa of 2063, according to the email, isno longer a dark continent but rather one which islit up using hydro, solar, wind, and geo-thermal energy, in addition to fossil fuels. It isan Africa at peace with itself after having tackled the root causes of conflict. The email compliments the continent’s commitment to invest in its people, especially in the empowerment of young people and women, as being key issues that made peace happen. It mentions the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the formation of Organisation of African Unity held in May 2013 as having been the start of a major paradigm shift: a point where Africa took charge of its own narrative.
After reading her “email from the future”, the Chairperson sent a word of encouragement to all of Africa, that the contents of the email can be a reality. “It is impossible until it is done,” she concluded.
In the meantime, Dr Dlamini-Zuma announced the appointment of Mrs BintaDiop as Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, “to ensure that the voices of women and the vulnerable are heard much more clearly in peace-building and in conflict resolution”.
The opening session of the Assembly was also addressed by the Under Secretary General of the United Nations, who spoke about how the African Union and the United Nations can work together to address pressing crises and to build on Africa’s progress, announcing that “The United Nations is your unwavering partner” in the quest for advancement and growth.
The meeting, which elected President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania as the Chairperson of the African Union for the coming one year and Zimbabwe as the first Vice Chairperson, also heard from the newly elected President of the Republic of Madagascar Mr RajonarimamnianinaRakotoarimanana who paid tribute to his country men and women for making the choice for the restoration of constitutional order and going to the ballot box to elect their leaders. He proclaimed a new dawn for development, peace and security in his country but also added the urgent need for vital assistance for the country to realize its full potential.
President Jacob Zuma of South Africa took the floor to express his country’s appreciation for Africa’s support during the death and burial of its former President Mr Nelson Mandela last year. He paid homage to other African countries for having supported and harboured not just the leadership of the struggle against apartheid, but also many other South African liberation fighters and activists.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. Laurent Salvador Lamothe took to the stage to deliver the message of Haitian solidarity with Africa on behalf of the country’s President, Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr HaileMarianDesalegn gave his final address as Chairperson of the African Union before handing over to President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. A press release on the Prime Minister’s statement as well as the statement itself is available at www.au.int
The opening ceremony also saw the presentation of US$100 000 prizes under the Kwame Nkurumah Scientific Awards to two prominent African scientists; awards to Heads of State and Governments who have successfully championed the fights against malaria, launch of 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa and an acceptance statement by the incoming Chairperson of the African Union, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. Press releases on all the events are also available at www.au.int as is the full list of the new bureau of the African Union.
WZMFor further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | EthiopiaFollow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommissionLearn more at:
http://www.au.int -
January 30, 2014Press briefing of Deputy Chairperson of the AUCINVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE AUC
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC will, on Thursday, 30 January 2014 at 15:00 hold a press briefing on the following issue:
- Institutional Capacity Building
The briefing will be held in Small Conference Hall 4, at the new AU
Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalist are invited to take part in the press briefing Media Contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication AU Commission
Tel: +251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org
For further information contact
Directorate of information and communication /African union commission/ E- mail:dinfo@africa- union.org/Web site: www.au.int/ Addis Ababa / Ethiopia
Follow us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Africanunioncommision Twitter: https://twitter.com/Africanunion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommision
Learn more at:
http://summits.au.int/en/22ndsummit -
January 30, 2014Press briefing of the African Court and African Commission
PRESS BRIEFING OF THE AFRICAN COURT AND AFRICAN COMMISSION
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, African Court and African Commission, will on Thursday, 30 January 2014 at16:30 hold a briefing on the following issue:
- Relationship between the two institutions
- Development since the last summit
- The recent cases handled by the court
During the press conference the following panelists will address the media:
- Hon. Justice Sophia A. B. Akuffo, President of the Court
- Hon. Justice Bernard M Ngoepe, Vice President of the Court
- Hon. Justice Ben Kioko, Member of the Court
- Hon. Commissioner Zainabou Sylvie Kayitesi
The briefing will be held in Briefing room 1, at the new AU Conference Center, in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalist are invited to take part in the press briefing
Media Contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication AU Commission
Tel: +251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org
For further information contact
Directorate of information and communication /African union commission/ E- mail:dinfo@africa- union.org/Web site: www.au.int/ Addis Ababa / Ethiopia
Follow us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Africanunioncommision Twitter: https://twitter.com/Africanunion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommision
Learn more at:
http://summits.au.int/en/22ndsummit
Attachments -
January 30, 2014African Youth Forum: “Accelerate Youth Employment in Africa”
PRESS RELEASE N0. 27/ 22nd AU SUMMIT
African Youth Forum: “Accelerate Youth Employment in Africa”
The Department of the Human Resource Science and Technology in collaboration with the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (OOF) organized a Youth Forum on accelerating Youth Employment in Africa on the sidelines of the 22nd African Union Summit on 29 and 30 January in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
After debating on the theme during the meeting held in United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on Wednesday 29th January 2014, the invited African youth and the former Nigerian President Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, discussed and presented the recommendations to the Heads of States during a luncheon held at the African Union Commission today, 30th January 2014.
The lunch was hosted by Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Mr. Obasanjowho is the founder and chairman of the OOF. Heads of States of African member states of the AU; among themwere the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;the President of Burkina Faso (Host country of the AU special Summit on Employment in 2004), President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The event was moderated and led by Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Martial De-Paul Ikounga, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST). The participants discussed the recommendations made by the youths and on the way forward.
“The Heads of States have heard you and I am sure that they will dialogue with you”, said Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZuma. She added, “We want you to be the masters of the digital age, the masters of the space age, the masters of the knowledge age, and the masters of the economy age”. She encouraged the youth to input their ideas into what should Africa look like in 2063 before April 2014, through the Agenda 2063 framework.
Although African countries have seen tremendous economic growth over the recent years, youth unemployment and education are still pressing issues that need to be addressed by policy makers and African leaders. As President Obasanjo said “Education is the basis for the empowerment of the youth.”
The President of Haiti, Mr. Michel Martelly, shared the Haitian experience regarding alternative funding for education with his peers and the invited guests. He explained the ways in which the Haitian government raised funds from its Diaspora to fund the construction of schools. “131Million Dollars were raised and the entire fund was used to build schools” he said.
Mr. DessalegneHailemariam, strongly commended the youth not to wait for governments to help them. “You must struggle for your rights and you should have a strong African organization to engage with politicians”. He then added “as leaders we have to lead the process and engage the youth in the building of a prosperous Africa”.
The event concluded with a message that will be disseminated by the youth. The message included the will to participate actively in reduction of poverty, creating a strong pan African organization and reinforcing leadership of the youth with the assistance of governments at a national and continental level.
HM/wzmFor further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | EthiopiaFollow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommissionLearn more at:
http://www.au.int -
January 30, 2014Seven African Countries Lead the Continent in Malaria Control Annual awards – bestowed at the AU – highlight how Africa...
30 January, 2014 Contact: Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saleemah@alma2015.org
+251 939 643 193
SEVEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES LEAD THE CONTINENT IN MALARIA CONTROL
Annual awards – bestowed at the AU – highlight how Africa’s future
is inextricably tied to progress in defeating malaria
Today during the official opening of the African Union Summit of heads of state, H.E. Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique, conferred the 2014 African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Awards for Excellence in Vector Control to Cape Verde, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe,and Swaziland. Each country has demonstrated exemplary leadership in maintaining at least 95% coverage year round of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) and/or Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) interventions, the most important tools in preventing malaria.
Malaria is a leading cause of child deaths and kills 627,000 people every year, most in Africa. The continent has made tremendous progress in the delivery and use of life-saving tools in the fight against malaria, including LLINs, IRS, rapid diagnostic tests, and effective treatments, including preventative care during pregnancy.Yet malaria continues to wreak a huge toll on Africa. It burdens already fragile health systems; it is a leading cause of absenteeism in schools; it negatively impacts agricultural productivity and businesses large and small when employees and entrepreneurs are kept from their work; and it robs African countries of at least USD $12billion every year in economic potential.
“We cannot lose ground in our struggle to end preventable deaths and suffering from malaria” said President Guebuza, who serves as Chair of ALMA. “Our people and our communities are counting on us to continue to scale proveninterventions to insure that no African loses their livelihood or life to this ancient disease.”
Last month, the World Malaria Report declared that as a result of significant scaling-up of malaria control interventions, an estimated 3.1 million lives have been saved in Africa since 2000, reducing malaria mortality rates by 49%. And while funding challenges remain, resources for malaria prevention globally have grown from $100 million in 2000 to an estimated $1.9 billion in 2013. ALMA’s current Chair, H. E. President Guebuza of Mozambique, has rallied his peers and partners to increase malaria funding so that we sustain these impressive gains.ALMA was founded by H.E. President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania to create a platform for Africa’s presidents and prime ministers to accelerate action on malaria prevention and control. ALMA’s second chair, H.E. President Ellen Sirleaf of Liberia, continued to promote performance and accountability through the innovative ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action. Winners of ALMA’s Awards for Excellence are selected by an independent committee representing the World Health Organization (WHO), Roll Back Malaria (RBM), the private sector, civil society and academia. For more information about ALMA and for a profile of the progress shown by the seven winning countries, please visit www.alma2015.org.
-
January 30, 2014Opening session of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union
MEDIA ADVISORY
Opening session of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union
WHAT: Opening session of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union. The opening ceremony will comprise the following agenda items:
• H.E. Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairman of the African Union, declares the beginning of the Session (2 minutes)
• AU Anthem (3 minutes)
• Minute of silence in memory of the Late former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela of the Republic of South Africa
• Statement by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (10 minutes)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine and Chairman of Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Executive Committee (7 minutes)
• Statement by H.E. Dr. Nabil Elaraby, Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS) (7 Minutes)
• Statement by the Guest of Honour, H.E. Mrs. Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea (7 minutes)
• Opening Statement by H.E. Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairman of the African Union (15 minutes)
• Election of the Chairperson of the African Union and members of the Bureau and members of the Drafting Committee (Announcement of the results of the elections by the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps) (7 minutes)
• Acceptance Statement by the incoming Chairperson of the Union (7 minutes)
• Awards Ceremony for the Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards for 2014 (10 minutes)
• Prof. Andre Bationo, from Burkina Faso, Winner in the field of Earth and Life Sciences
• Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, from Nigeria, Winner in the field of Basic Sciance, Technology and Innovation
• ALMA Award Ceremony for selected Laureates by the chair of ALMA, H.E. Armando Guebuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique
• Signing of AU Treaties (continuous during the Session)
• Launch of “2014 Year of Agriculture and Food Security, Marking 10th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)”A group photograph is scheduled immediately after the opening ceremony. Strict order and discipline are advised for the taking of the photograph.
WHEN: 30 January 2014 at 10:00. Media personnel are advised to arrive early in order to be in position in time for the opening ceremony.
WHERE: Large Conference Hall, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Media personnel are advised to refer to the attached media tips for information on how to access the AU premises and conference rooms, as well as facilities and services available for all media.
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | EthiopiaFollow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommissionLearn more at:
http://www.au.int -
January 30, 2014Global learning crisis is costing $129 billion a year
Press Release
Global learning crisis is costing $129 billion a year
Crisis will affect generations of children without action to boost teaching, report warns.Strict embargo until 29 January 00.01 GMT:
The 11th Education for All Global Monitoring Report reveals that a global learning crisis is costing governments $129 billion a year. Ten per cent of global spending on primary education is being lost on poor quality education that is failing to ensure that children learn. This situation leaves one in four young people in poor countries unable to read a single sentence. The Report concludes that good teachers are the key to improvement and calls on governments to provide the best in the profession to those who need them most.
This year’s Report, Teaching and learning: Achieving quality for all, warns that without attracting and adequately training enough teachers the learning crisis will last for several generations and hit the disadvantaged hardest. In many sub-Saharan African countries, for example, the Report reveals that only one in five of the poorest children reach the end of primary school having learnt the basics in reading and mathematics.
Poor quality education is leaving a legacy of illiteracy more widespread than previously believed. Around 175 million young people in poor countries – equivalent to around one quarter of the youth population – cannot read all or part of a sentence, affecting one third of young women in South and West Asia. On current trends, the Report projects that it will take until 2072 for all the poorest young women in developing countries to be literate; and possibly until the next century for all girls from the poorest families in sub-Saharan Africa to finish lower secondary school.
In a third of countries analysed by the Report, less than three-quarters of existing primary school teachers are trained to national standards. In West Africa, where few children are learning the basics, teachers on temporary contracts with low pay and little formal training make up more than half of the teaching force.
“Teachers have the future of this generation in their hands,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. “We need 5.2 million teachers to be recruited by 2015, and we need to work harder to support them in providing children with their right to a universal, free and quality education. We must also make sure that there is an explicit commitment to equity in new global education goals set after 2015, with indicators tracking the progress of the marginalized so that no one is left behind.”
The Report calculates that the cost of 250 million children around the world not learning the basics translates into a loss of an estimated $129 billion. In total, 37 countries are losing at least half the amount they spend on primary education because children are not learning. By contrast, the Report shows that ensuring an equal, quality education for all can generate huge economic rewards, increasing a country’s gross domestic product per capita by 23 per cent over 40 years.
Even in high-income countries, education systems are failing significant minorities. In New Zealand, while almost all students from rich households achieved minimum standards in grades 4 and 8, only two-thirds of poor students did. Immigrants in rich countries are also left behind: in France, for example, fewer than 60 per cent of immigrants have reached the minimum benchmark in reading.
The Report shows that to achieve good quality education for all, governments must provide enough trained teachers, and focus their teacher policies on meeting the needs of the disadvantaged. This means attracting the best candidates into teaching; giving them relevant training; deploying them within countries to areas where they are needed most; and offering them incentives to make a long-term commitment to teaching. The Report also highlights the need to address gender-based violence in schools, a major barrier to quality and equality in education. It underscores the importance of curriculum and assessment strategies to promote inclusion and improve learning.
Pauline Rose, the director of the EFA Global Monitoring Report, said: “What’s the point in an education if children emerge after years in school without the skills they need? The huge numbers of illiterate children and young people mean it is crucial that equality in access and learning be placed at the heart of future education goals. New goals after 2015 must make sure every child is not only in school, but learning what they need to learn.”
The Report makes the following recommendations:
1. New education goals after 2015 must include an explicit commitment to equity so that every child has an equal chance of an education. New goals need clear, measurable targets with indicators that will track the progress of the most disadvantaged.
2. New goals after 2015 must ensure that every child is in school and learning the basics. Children do not only have the right to be in school, but also to learn while there, and to emerge with the skills they need to find secure, well-paid work.
3. Ensure the best teachers reach the learners who need them most. National education plans must include an explicit commitment to reaching the marginalized. Teachers should be recruited locally, or have similar backgrounds to disadvantaged learners. Every teacher needs pre- and in-service training on ways to target support to disadvantaged children. Incentives must be provided to ensure the best teachers work in remote, under-served areas. Governments must work to retain their best teachers, providing pay that meets at least their basic needs, good working conditions and a career path.For interviews, photos, b-roll, pre-edited videos, quotes or case studies of teachers or children please contact:
Kate Redman : k.redman@unesco.org 0033 6 71 78 62 34
Sue Williams: s.williams@unesco.org 0033 1 45 68 17 06 or 0033 6 15 92 93 62Notes to Editors:
Developed by an independent team and published by UNESCO, the Education for All Global Monitoring Report is an authoritative reference that aims to inform, influence and sustain genuine commitment towards Education for All.
@EFAReport / GMR Facebook Web: http://www.efareport.unesco.org | World Education Blog: http://efareport.wordpress.comThe global GMR launch in Addis Ababa is held in cooperation with the Government of
Ethiopia and the African Union Commission.