Activities
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February 02, 2011
Directorate of Communication and Information
PRESS RELEASE N0. 14/ 16th AU SUMMIT
OAFLA MEETING DISCUSSES WAYS TO FIGHT AGAINST HIV AND AIDS AND BETTERMENT OF WOMEN’S LIVESAddis Ababa, Ethiopia 2 February 2011- On Monday 31st January 2011 in Addis Ababa, the 16th Ordinary Session of the African First ladies was held at the African Union headquarters with the theme of ‘‘Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared values’’ emphasizing on HIV/AIDS. 13 first ladies attended.
First ladies and representatives of first ladies of countries presented and showed briefly what they have been doing and plan on doing in the future in their countries, to minimize the number of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The first ladies and representatives of first ladies raised issues like creation of credit funds, education, avoiding harmful cultural practices, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, using health care providers, and use of radio, TV, billboards and HIV counseling and testing centers. They also discussed universal access to treatment using traditional leaders, and free anti natal and post natal checkups.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD said African Heads of State and Government adopted the program of NEPAD 10 years ago since it focuses on saving life and empowering women at the continental level to eradicate poverty for sustainable socio- economic growth and development. 75% of the African population lives in rural areas and is dependent on agriculture. He said these people face economic problems so focus on the rural areas is paramount. He added that Africa has 60-80% agricultural laborers who are women and they work for longer hours. Women, he said, are affected by lack of access to markets, climate change and raw material shortage. But, he added that women can contribute to the development of Africa since they are the backbone of the household. Dr Mayaki proposed to work with the first ladies individually.
Mrs. Ban Ki Moon, on behalf of the UN Secretary General stressed on the need for strong commitment by the AU in the fight against HIV. HIV predominantly exists in the Sub-Saharan Africa and the region needs medicine, she said. She added that “we have to work to protect mothers and babies to reach the Millennium Development Goals”. She showed the importance of women’s empowerment and equality for the betterment of the society.
Dr. Sheila Sisulu Deputy Executive Director of WFP started by recalling that agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s economy and that 80% of agricultural produce comes from women but these women have less than 5% access to credit, and less than 5% access to extension services. So whatever they produce they consume right away. She said the problem is that the women farmers are not organized within farmers associations. She also underlined the importance of education which will one way or another have an impact on the prevalence of HIV.
The Chairperson of OAFLA, Ethiopian First Lady Mrs Azeb Mesfin raised points like regional presence and membership fees. She stressed on the role played by the UNAIDS and other donor organizations. She added that the challenges of HIV will continue to be the main issues in the meeting.
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February 01, 2011
Press Release N0. 07 / 16th AU Summit
Closure of the 16th AU Summit: Unity around shared values
Addis Ababa, February 1, 2011 - The 16th Summit of the African Union (AU), which began in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 24, closed its session late into the night of January 31. Organized under the theme "Shared Values in Africa: for greater unity and integration", the 16th Ordinary Session considered the review of the political situation of the continent, including the situation in Côte d'Ivoire and in other sub-regions which are experiencing waves of protests.
The Heads of State and Government of the AU held several meetings in view of finding solutions to crises and ongoing conflicts or conflicts that are emerging on the continent. A high-level Panel for the resolution of the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire composed of Presidents of Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Chad, Tanzania, South Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union Commission has been established. The Panel will provide a peaceful and negotiated solution within a month.
The Heads of State and Government also commented on other crucial issues such as the role of Africa in the Security Council of the United Nations, the impact of climate change and international cooperation.
The summit also unanimously welcomed the election of Professor Alpha Conde, President of Guinea, through a democratic process. The democratically elected President delivered a speech before the Assembly.
The Summit adopted all decisions that were submitted by the Executive Council. It also adopted a Declaration on shared values in which the Summit is committed among others "to create viable and democratic states to ensure effective delivery of services to African peoples and to promote economic progress and good governance."
At the closing ceremony of the 16th Summit of the African Union, the newly elected Chairperson of the continental organization, President Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, said, through the Addis Ababa Declaration "Africa has ratified her confidence in herself and in shared values, a key route for the continent's development and for achieving a common vision of unity and integration". He advocated that the Member States of the Union adopt all necessary mechanisms so that the peoples of Africa may enjoy the rights and freedoms contained in these instruments.
The 17th Summit of the African Union with the theme "Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development" will be held from 23 to 30 June 2011 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
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February 01, 2011
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January 31, 2011
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 31 January 2011- The 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union started in Addis Ababa today. Heads of State and Government or their accredited representatives are meeting under the theme of “Towards greater unity and integration through shared values”.
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January 30, 2011
Directorate of Communication and Information
INVITATION
PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN COURT
ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS
The President African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, Hon. Justice Gérard Niyungeko, will hold a press conference, on Sunday 30 January 2011, at 16:30, at the Briefing Room of the Conference Center of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the press conference, which is held within the framework of the 16th AU Summit, Hon. Niyungeko will address the following issues:
- Information on the current situation of the Court
- Challenges faced by the Court
- Way forward in order to order to face the challenges
Journalists are invited to attend and to cover the press conference.
Directorate of Communication and Information. African Union Commission
E mail: dinfo@africa-union.org Fax 251 11 5511299
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January 30, 2011
DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
INVITATION
PRESS CONFERENCE OF COMMISSIONER LAMAMRA RAMTANE
The Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, Ambassador Lamamra Ramtane, will hold a press conference, on Sunday 30 January 2011, at 15:00, at the Briefing Room of the Conference Center of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the press conference, which is held within the framework of the 16th AU Summit, Ambassador Ramtane will address the following issues:
• Status of peace and security in Africa
• Year of Peace and Security, one year afterJournalists are invited to attend and to cover the press conference.
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January 30, 2011
INVITATION
PRESS CONFERENCE ON AU-EU PHOTO COMPETION
The African Union Commission (AUC) and the European Union (EU)
Delegation to the African Union will jointly hold a press conference at the Press Briefing Room of the UNECA immediately after the official opening of the general exhibition scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday 30 January 2011 at 9h00 am.
The press conference will focus on the recently organised EU/AU Professional Photographers Competition on the theme “African Beauty in All its States.”The press conference is being held as part of the 16th African Union Summit. It will be addressed by Mrs. Habiba MEIJRI- CHEIKH, Director Communication and Information, African Union Commission; Mr. Christophe BOULIERAC, European Union delegation to the African union, press officer and Mr. Alban BIAUSSAT representative of the Collateral creation, creative agency.
The following persons will be present at the press conference:
- Carlos LITULO (first prize)
- Leila GANDI ( Winner North Africa)
- Daniel NAUDE ( Winner southern Africa)
- Nseabaki AKPAN ( Winner west Africa)
- Michael TSEGAYE (Winner Eastern Africa)Journalists are invited to attend.
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January 30, 2011
MEDIA ADVISORY
16TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE AFRICAN UNION TO TAKE MAJOR DECISIONS ON SHARED VALUES AND OTHER ISSUES
The 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union will take place from 30- 31 January 2011, at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Heads of State of Member States of the African Union will dedicate the first day of the summit to discussing the theme of the summit, “Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values”. On this day, they will also elect a new bureau for the year 2011. The day will end with the adoption of the declaration on the theme of the Summit.
Other important agenda items during the two- day summit are; the adoption of the budget for the 2011 financial year; appointment of the members of the advisory board on corruption and appointment of a member of the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).
The Heads of State will also have a number of major issues to consider as they seek to move the AU towards attaining its goal of development and integration. These include: the Implementation of Previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly; the State of Peace and Security in Africa; the activities of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC); and the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms.
The assembly will also discuss the Progress Report of the Commission on the Hissene Habre Case (in implementation of Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.272 (XIV); the Progress Report of the Commission on the Implementation of Assembly Decision on the Transformation of the African Union Commission into the African Union Authority; the Report of the Committee of Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC); the Report of the Commission on the 2nd Africa-Arab Summit, Sirte, Libya, 6-10 October 2010; the Report of the Commission on the 3rdAfrica-EU Summit, Tripoli, Libya, 29-30 November 2010 and the Report of the Outgoing Chairperson of the Union on the outcome of the G20 summit held in Seoul, Korea, 11-12 November 2010.
In addition, there are a number of items proposed by Member States for consideration, before the summit adopts the decisions and recommendations of the 18th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council which was held from 27- 28 January as well as the decisions and declarations of the 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU. The Assembly meeting will conclude on 31 January.
Journalists are invited to cover the opening and closing ceremonies of the Assembly as well as the public sessions. Programmes and other documents are available on http://au.int/en/summit/16thsummit
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January 29, 2011
INVITATION
PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
LAUNCH OF THE AFRICAN UNION HERALD
On Saturday, 29 January 2011, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr Jean Ping, will hold his monthly press conference at the margins of the 16th African Union Summit at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At this occasion, he will also launch the first issue of “The African Union Herald”. This biannual publication put together by the Directorate of Communication and Information deals with issues of development in Africa. This first volume is dedicated to the current state of the media landscape on the continent.
As stated by Mr Jean Ping, in the editorial to the publication, “The review proposes areas for reflection. Far from restricting itself to a mere catalogue of figures, facts and speeches on the media, it actually puts forward solutions that would boost media performance and make them capable of fully playing their role within our states- in short, making them become the “Fourth Estate”.
Made up of in depth articles of internationally recognised prestigious researchers, African media experts and renowned journalists, the “African Union Herald” is the first publication of the African Union that looks at the role of the media in the development of the continent.You are cordially invited to attend the event at 14h30 at the Media Center of the African Union.
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