Signing of the Host Agreement of the Temporary Secretariat of the African Audio-visual and Cinema Commission (AACC)

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February 18, 2023

H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development and H.E. Dr. Alfred N. Mutua, Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kenya signed the Host Agreement for the operationalization of the Temporary Secretariat of the African Audio-visual and Cinema Commission (AACC) at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday 18 February 2023 on the margins of the 36^th AU Assembly.

The African Audio-visual and Cinema Commission (AACC) is a Specialized Agency of the African Union aimed at developing and strengthening Africa’s audio-visual and cinema industry and encouraging the development of appropriate structures at the national, regional and continental levels, enhancing cooperation between African States, providing African wide opportunities for the industry and promoting creativity, innovation, integration, solidarity, respect for shared values, mutual understanding, foster peace and promote a positive image of Africa.

The functions of AACC are the following: the promotion of research on African Audio-visual and Cinema industries; promotion and distribution of African films throughout the continent and internationally; fast tracking the establishment of the African Audio-visual and Cinema Fund as well as providing technical support and advisory services to Member States for the formulation and implementation of audio-visual and cinema policies. The AACC is also expected to promote the protection of indigenous knowledge and African oral and written folklore both at the national and continental levels.

The main role of the AACC Temporary Secretariat will be to advocate for the ratification of the AACC Statute. In order for the Statute to enter into force and for the Commission’s organs to be fully operational it requires fifteen (15) ratifications by Member States. To date no Member State has ratified this instrument.

The Statute of the African Audio-Visual and Cinema Commission was signed on the same day by the Republic of Kenya. AU Member States are requested to fast track the processes of signature and ratification of this important creative economy instrument.

For information related to African Audio-visual and Cinema Commission (AACC) kindly contact:

Mrs. Angela Martins|, Acting Director, Social Development, Culture and Sport t | E-mail: MartinsA@Africa-Union.Org cc: ShuleV@Africa-Union.Org and MekbibA@Africa-Union.Org

For further media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org