African Union Commission and World Bank launch a 25 Million Dollar Project to Fund Capacity Development of the African Union

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 26 November 2014 - The ‘Support for Capacity Development of the African Union Commission (AUC) and other African Union (AU) Organs Project’ was launched during a workshop that was held on 24 and 25 November 2014 at African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The launch heralded the International Development Association (IDA) grant of US$25 million to support capacity development of the AUC and other African Union organs.

The grant will be used to strengthen African Union Commission’s institutional capacity and to facilitate economic development results with stakeholders. The fund will be used during the period 2014-2018.“The Project supports implementation of important AU programs intended to enhance the process of continental integration,” said H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, adding “it benefits not only the Commission but also other AU Organs.” Stating the project’s role in strengthening the AU and World Bank partnership he added: “It gives us opportunity to deepen partnership with the Bank and to advance mutual objectives to enhance implementing regional related projects.”

This project will assist the AUC to operationalize the Strategic Plan 2014-2017 and the Agenda 2063 regional transformation priorities by encouraging the participation of all stakeholders including Member States, AU Organs, Permanent Representative Committee (PRC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), private sector, civil society, media, development partners, African Diaspora and citizens. Mr. Waleed Haider Malik, World Bank Project Team Leader noted: “The AUC’s Strategic Plan 2014-17 and its Agenda 2063 clearly articulates this vision of peace, security, and development in the continent as well as the AUC’s proactive, facilitating role in promoting collective action for results. We are delighted that the World Bank will be able to join development partners already engaged in assisting AUC implement its Strategic Plan and Agenda 2063 activities. ”
Also in attendance were the representatives of the African Court and the African Commission on Human People’s rights

About ‘Support for Capacity Development of the African Union Commission and other African Union Organs Project (P126848)’:
This project was approved by the World Bank Board on May 7, 2014. It was later signed on August 8, 2014 by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, AUC Chairperson and the World Bank President Dr. Jim Yong Kim.

For more information, please 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 | Ethiopia

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