MEDIA ADVISORY

Celebration of Africa Industrialization Day (AID) 2023

                WHAT:                       African Industrialization Day

                                                 WHEN:                      Monday, 20 November 2023

                                                 TIME:                                     1:15 - 2:15 PM (EST)

THEME:                      “Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization Through the Empowerment of African women in Processing for an Integrated Market”

WHERE:                    Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations, 3 Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, 305 East 47th Street, 5th Floor, NY 10017, USA

WHO:                         Jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the African Union (AU) Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations

PARTICIPANTS:     The event will bring together representatives of African states, other Member States, regional entities, and partner organizations of the UN system supporting Africa’s sustainable development to commemorate Africa Industrialization Day. It will consist of a few high-level statements and a buffet lunch.

Background :         In July 1989, the Organization of African Unity conducted its 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Africa Industrialization Day was announced on November 20 during this session. Within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1991-2000), the United Nations General Assembly, in December 1989, proclaimed 20 November as Africa Industrialization Day (AID) (A/RES/44/237). Since then, the United Nations System and partners hold events on that day throughout the world to raise awareness about the importance of Africa’s industrialization and the challenges faced by the continent.

This year’s AID is being held under the theme of “Accelerating Africa’s industrialization through the empowerment of African women in processing for an integrated market” to build more policy advocacy on the continent’s industrialization agenda, as well as the organization of the 2nd Edition of the African Women in Processing Summit.

The theme focuses on the critical role of women-led enterprises in driving Africa’s industrialization through processing and value addition, as well as the integration of African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area. With intra-African trade dominated with manufactured products, there is huge potential for women to take up more roles in manufacturing as a pathway to the continent’s structural transformation, economic inclusion as well as job creation.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

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.

The AU Vision is 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.

About the AU Permanent Observers Mission to the UN:

The Permanent Mission of the African Union to the United Nations (AU Mission to the UN) plays a pivotal role in representing the interests of the African Union within the United Nations system.

The Mission advocates for African interests and concerns on a wide range of global issues, including peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and climate change. It works to ensure that African perspectives are considered and integrated into UN policies and decisions.

The Mission plays a crucial role in aligning AU positions with UN agendas and initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and peacekeeping missions.

The Mission serves as a channel for information exchange between the African Union and the United Nations. It relays UN decisions, resolutions, and initiatives to the AU and provides the UN with updates on AU activities and developments in Africa.

For further media inquiries, please contact:

1. Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | Mobile: +1 (347) 812-7195 / WhatsApp: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

2. Oumou Daou Koumoue | Communications Advisor | Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations | Mobile: +1 (914)316-3726 | email: koumoueo@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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