Addis Ababa, 2 November 2017: At the invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, will pay an official visit to Morocco on 3 and 4 November 2017 for discussions with the highest Moroccan authorities. This visit, which will be the first since Morocco's return to the African family, will provide an opportunity to exchange views on a number of priority issues for the African Union.

In this regard, the Chairperson of the Commission will take the opportunity during his meetings in Morocco to discuss the following issues: the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 and its flagship projects, including the Continental Free Trade Area and the Single African Air Transport Market, in accordance with the Yamoussoukro Declaration; the promotion of peace and security, bearing in mind Morocco’s contribution to peacekeeping operations in Africa; the implementation of African Union sectoral programs such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), in view of Morocco's active involvement in projects aimed at improving agricultural productivity and promoting food security on the continent; climate change, as part of the follow-up to COP 22 - hosted by Morocco - and relevant African Union decisions; and migration, an issue for which Morocco has been designated Champion, as well as issues related to youth.

The Chairperson of the Commission will also discuss efforts to enhance Africa's international partnerships to ensure that they are effectively embedded in the African Union’s priorities.

The Chairperson of the Commission looks forward to the discussions he will be having with the Moroccan authorities, with a view to agreeing on practical modalities to further strengthen Morocco's contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the African Union. He notes with satisfaction Morocco’s contribution to the Peace Fund as part of its overall contribution to the African Union budget.