When: Wednesday 6^thto Friday 8^th September 2023

Time: 09:00 AM to 17:00 PM EAT/ GMT +3

Venue:Small Conference Hall 3, African Union Commission

Attend virtually here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEucu2pqz0pGtJiI2clqiGHDG9L8TAOuCXC

Keynote Speakers:

• E. Albert M. Muchanga, the Commissioner for the Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals
• E. Habtamu Tegegn, the Minister of Mines, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Behdja Lammali, Chairperson - Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology; Pan-African Parliament

Background

The implementation of the African Union Commodities Strategy and its Action Plan to accelerate its realization, track progress in the Strategy's monitoring and evaluation initiatives including resources mobilization and partnerships; communicating the strategy to external stakeholders and advise the African Union’s structures on progress achieved and the challenges expected to be encountered together with its recommended actions going forward. The Strategy was adopted by the 40^th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in February 2022 through Decision EX.CL/Dec.1144(XL). The African Union Commodities Strategy is one of the flagship projects of the Agenda 2063, the Africa We Want.

Objectives

The overall objective of the meeting is to strategically discuss how to strengthen partnerships and agree on joint implementation work plans to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the RECs, Member States, the private sector, and development partners in the domestication and implementation of the AU Commodities Strategy. The participants are policymakers and experts from the Member States, AUC, RECs, relevant AU organs and specialized agencies. Other international and regional stakeholders include UN Agencies, and representatives of the business sector, academia, media, women, and youth in commodities trading.

For further information please contact:

Mrs. Ron Osman | Ag. Head Division of the Industry, Minerals, and Innovation| Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals| African Union Commission| E-mail: OmarR@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mr. John Youhanes Magok | Mineral Resources Development Expert | Mineral Resources Unit | Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail: NhialJ@africa-union.org| Tell.: +251 983 360 934 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Media contact:

Ms. Faith Adhiambo, Communications Officer- Agenda 2063 Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: ochiengj@african-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia