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Opening remarks by H.E Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, at the 6th meeting of the support and follow-up group on the situation in Mali

Opening remarks by H.E Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, at the 6th meeting of the support and follow-up group on the situation in Mali

Your Excellency, Mr Mohamed Ali Bathily, Minister of Justice and Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali,

Excellencies members of Government and state institutions,

Mr Kadré Ouedraogo, President of the ECOWAS Commission,

Mr Hervé Ladsous, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations,

Mr. Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa,

Mr. Albert Keonders, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Mali,

Mr. Hayia Lawal, representative of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation,

Mr Michel Reveyrand, Special Representative of the European Union,

Members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organisations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On 19 October 2012, barely four days after I officially took over my current position as Chairperson of the AU Commission, my first official visit was here to Bamako. I participated in the 2nd meeting of the Support and Follow-up Group on the situation in Mali.

Today, exactly a year later, I am here again in Bamako, participating in the 6th meeting of the same Group. Between these two meetings, many things have happened. Many things indeed!

This time last year, almost all the northern regions of Mali were under the occupation of various armed and terrorist groups. State authority was non-existent in these regions. The suffering of fleeing displaced people and refugees, especially women, children and the elderly, was palpable. Mali’s territorial integrity and national unity was called into question.

A transitional Government was in place, but was faced with challenges regarding the smooth and coherent implementation of the transitional Roadmap. In fact, that Roadmap was some three months away from its final adoption. The international community was still discussing about the best strategy of intervention.

Today, a year later, the picture has dramatically changed.

What a change: an end has been put to the occupation of the northern regions and normalcy is returning gradually; a peace agreement has been signed to pave the way for more inclusive talks; presidential elections have been successfully organised and a President invested with a big margin of legitimacy is in power. I have had the opportunity to congratulate President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on the popular bestowed in him. We are now talking about organising legislative elections in a few weeks’ time.

A year ago, we were almost helpless vis-à-vis the economic situation and the destruction of property; today, we are talking about development and the Renaissance of Mali. One could go on with the analogies. In short, things have changed and for the better.

But this change did not happen out of the blue. It was the result of concerted efforts by various stakeholders, within Mali, in ECOWAS and in the larger international community. For us, at the African Union, we are resolute in our commitment to stand with the Government and people of Mali in this trying but promising moment of their history.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen

In this year which marks the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU, under the theme Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance, we must celebrate the contributions of Mali and its people. When we recall the ancient African civilizations, the Kingdom of Mali stands out with its contribution to governance, trade, metallurgy and mining, arts and culture, education, knowledge and the role of women.

As a founding member of the OAU, Mali played a vital role in the quest for continental unity and the completion of the decolonisation process. In reconstructing a post-independent state, it recognised the importance of managing the diversity of its peoples, with their assorted cultures, languages and religions, and the importance of peaceful co-existence and cooperation.

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As Mali therefore emerges from its recent difficulties, it must draw from these proud traditions and history, to foster peace, reconciliation and inclusion, in order to build a national compact for the reconstruction and development of the country.

As we look at the best ways and means of supporting Mali in the period ahead, we should seize the opportunity of this meeting to restate our unflinching commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Mali. State authority has to be restored over the entire Northern part of the country. There can be no exception to this rule.

Our meeting should therefore insist that the armed groups in Kidal unconditionally and immediately vacate public buildings. We should, in no uncertain terms, insist that they embrace, and commit to, the peace and reconciliation process. In short, we have to say that enough is enough, for Mali and its people cannot continue to be held hostage to narrow considerations and interests.

We, therefore, encourage the Government and the armed groups in the North to continue the implementation of the 18 June 2013 Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement in good faith. In this regard, we must also emphasize that lasting peace and reconstruction will not be possible without the participation of the Malian women, who constitute over half of the Malian population.

I praise President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita for the passion he has shown and for the courageous steps taken to promote confidence building in the context of the Ouagadougou Agreement. These are signs of true leadership. I assure him of the AU support and solidarity.

The Malian State is located in a region (Sahel and West Africa) that influences what happens in Mali and vice versa. This makes regional coordination a “must”. We all know that durable solutions to certain challenges faced by Mali, like terrorism and other forms of transnational crimes, integration and shared prosperity, can only be found through regional cooperation and coordination.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Following the transfer of authority from the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) to a United Nations Operation (MINUSMA), on 1 July 2013, the AU Commission deemed it necessary to reaffirm its commitment to Mali and the rest of the Sahel region. It is against this background that the AU established the AU Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL), with its headquarters here in Bamako.

The focus of MISAHEL is on promoting inclusive and effective governance, mainstreaming of gender equality and regional security and cooperation. I am very pleased that former President Pierre Buyoya, our High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, has accepted to remain in Bamako as Head of MISAHEL. We are now working towards the full operationalization of MISAHEL, so that we can more effectively contribute to the efforts aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the region. Already, I am encouraged to note that the Nouakchott Process, initiated by the AU Commission in March this year, is proving particularly useful in deepening security cooperation amongst the Sahelo-Saharan countries and in operationalizing the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA) in the region.

As we meet here today, we are reminded of a very welcome show of international solidarity. Let me, however, close my remarks by underscoring the importance of cooperation and consultation among the various international actors if we want our support to be effective, and avoid unhealthy competition and duplication.

Excellences,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our efforts should aim at empowering the Malian state and its population, especially women and youth, to enable them to own and lead the Malian Renaissance.

I have no doubt that Mali, with its rich history and culture, its generous and proud people and its long-standing commitment to Pan-Africanism, will regain its rightful place in the community of African nations.

We need Mali, like we need every single African country, to be peaceful and stable, so that Africa can unite and invest in its people. As we mourn the deaths of African migrants who perished in Niger and countless other similar deaths, we must scale up our investment in Africa’s young men and women, so that they do not have to face such perilous journeys, leaving their countries in pursuit of an illusive mirage. There can be no African Renaissance, without the Malian Renaissance.

I thank you

Dates: 
November 02, 2013
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English

Addis Ababa Declaration on WTO Issues

CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN UNION
MINISTERS OF TRADE
24th - 25th October 2013
ADDIS-ABABA (ETHIOPIA)

AU/TI/TD/CAMoT-8/WTO/DECL.FINAL
Original: English

ADDIS ABABA DECLARATION ON WTO ISSUES

We, the Ministers of Trade of the Member States of the African Union meeting in Addis Ababa on the 24thand 25thOctober 2013 in the Eighth Ordinary Session of the AU Conference of the Ministers of Trade in order to review the progress made so far in the WTO negotiations in the lead up to the 9th Ministerial Conference of the WTO (MC9) from 3 to 6 December 2013, in Bali, Indonesia;

Taking note of the recent developments in the Multilateral Trading System and the changes which occurred at the leadership of the World Trade Organization(WTO), we pay tribute to the outgoing Director General of the WTO, Mr. Pascal Lamy, for his personal commitment and the sterling achievements during his tenure, and congratulate Ambassador Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo for his appointment as the 6th Director General of the WTO and commend his efforts in intensifying negotiations on the Bali package in pursuit of the mandate from the 8th WTO Ministerial Conference held in 2011. In this connection, we pledge our full support to the efforts of the Director General and further pledge our constructive role in ensuring that the negotiations leading to MC9 and beyond are successful;

Recalling the Doha Ministerial Declaration adopted by the 4th WTO Ministerial Conference in 2001 and the succeeding Ministerial Declarations and the July package which engendered the development agenda at the heart of the WTO`s work program;

Underscoring that the inception of the DDA negotiations and their focus on the development imperative was, amongst others, premised on the need to redress the imbalances inherent in the Uruguay Round Agreements;

Taking note of the ongoing consultations on Trade Facilitation, Agriculture and Development issues including LDCs issues which have been prioritized for delivery by the MC9;

Convinced that development should be the primary feature of the outcome of the MC9 on all the deliverables;

Aware that the MC9 is not an end in itself, but rather a crucial step in the process of defining a post Bali work program, particularly in areas of interest to African countries;

Cautious that the MC9 is key to preserving the credibility of the multilateral trading system in particular the rule making part of the WTO`s work;

Concerned by a growing trend by some key WTO Members to devolve concentration of their negotiating efforts away from Doha Development Agenda to the ever proliferating plurilateral agreements;

Further concerned that the devolution of concentration away from the DDA will erode modest progress made in integrating African countries into the multilateral trading system through trade related interventions particularly in pursuit of developmental objectives of Africa;

Aware of the positive contribution that the multilateral trading system could have on the African Union`s agenda on boosting Intra-Africa Trade and the realisation of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA);

Determined to work towards a balanced multilateral trading system in order to secure a meaningful share of growth of international trade;

Hereby,

1. Reaffirm the positions adopted in the Addis Ababa Declaration on WTO Issues of 2012;

A. WTO DECISIONS
2. Welcome the adoption of the General Council’s Decision of 25th July 2012 on Accession aimed at strengthening, streamlining and operationalising the 2002 LDCs Accession Guidelines, pursuant to the MC8 Decision, with principles and benchmarks in goods and services, and transparency in accession negotiations, Special & Differential Treatment (S&D) and transitional period and the need for enhanced technical assistance and capacity building to help acceding LDCs to complete their accession process, implement their commitments and to integrate them into the Multilateral Trading System. In this regard, we urge the full implementation of all aspects of the Decision by all WTO Members with due consideration to the specific circumstances and development objectives of acceding LDCs.

3. Further welcome a Decision on the extension of the transition period under article 66.1 of the TRIPS Agreement for least developed country members as adopted by the TRIPS Council on 11 June 2013;

B. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

4. Stress the importance of the DDA negotiations and re-commit to conclude them in accordance with the existing mandates and on the basis of progress achieved so far, according to the principles of Single Undertaking and Special and Differential Treatment;

5. Restate our continued call for a fair and balanced outcome of the DDA including in the context the Bali package, which must prioritize development as its main deliverable, preserve negotiated flexibilities beneficial to developing countries all anchored on the principles of inclusiveness, transparency and bottom-up approach;

6. Strongly caution against attempts to undermine the spirit of cooperation inherent in the multilateral approach to negotiating the DDA and call on Members of the WTO to exercise due restraint in engaging in plurilateral arrangements with the potential effect of undermining the DDA;

7. Strongly object to any attempt to link non-trade issues or add new issues to the DDA, before development issues such as agriculture (including cotton), LDC issues, S&D and implementation related concerns are satisfactorily addressed and the DDA is fully exhausted and successfully concluded;

8. Stress the importance of ensuring that the outstanding agenda items of the DDA particularly in the areas of agriculture, LDCs related flexibilities and S&D and Implementation issues are prioritized for the post Bali work program;
9. Reiterate that the DDA negotiations must be premised on development including incorporating adequate and targeted demand-driven financial and technical assistance and sustainable capacity building commitments as an integral part of S&D treatment under all areas of negotiations;

10. Underscore that agriculture remains central to Africa’s trade objectives at the WTO. We therefore emphasize the urgency and the need for addressing tariff peaks and tariff escalation in Agriculture, which inhibit amongst others, value addition and job creation and overall development in Africa. We reiterate our concerns regarding food security in the continent, and support efforts by Net-Food Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs) in respect of Agriculture related rule-making at the WTO;

11. Reaffirm the integrality and importance of Special and Differential Treatment provisions in the WTO agreements and agree that in line with para 44 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, all S&D provisions have to be reviewed with a view to strengthening them and making them more precise, effective and operational. We also attach equal and utmost importance to the expeditious completion of the S&D work programme set out in para 12.1 of the Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns endorsed in para 44 of the Ministerial Declaration;

12. Urge WTO Members to focus their attention on finding appropriate solutions in following up the commitment contained in para 12 of the Doha Declaration setting out Members’ resolve to negotiate all outstanding implementation issues as part of the Single Undertaking;

C. DEVELOPMENT AND LDCs ISSUES
13. Strongly object to current attempts to reduce the scope of the Monitoring Mechanism by limiting it to the review of implementation of S&D provisions including the erosion of the original intention of the Monitoring Mechanism.

14. Underscore that the Monitoring Mechanism shall propose appropriate actions, including to the General Council with a view to strengthening S&D provisions and have the mandate to regularly review the operation, utilization and effectiveness of S&D provisions,

15. We recall para 44 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration and express our concern on the lack of progress. We request the MC9 to provide further guidance on Development issues.

16. Call upon all the WTO members to fully commit themselves to the successful conclusion of the DDA as the only agenda for the WTO`s post Bali work program;

17. Recognise the proposals put forward by the LDC Group for the decision at the MC9 to advance a consolidated LDC package covering duty-free quota-free market access for LDC’s, simplified and flexible rules of origin for exports that qualify for duty-free, quota-free treatment, the operationalization of the LDC Services Waiver, and outstanding proposals on Cotton. In this regard, we urge the MC9 to reiterate its commitment toward the greater integration of the LDCs into the multilateral trading system and to take all possible steps towards realising this commitment in line with the respective mandates on LDCs issues.

18. Reaffirm the importance of cotton in the economy of the African Continent and call for a final solution of this matter on the basis of the achievements of the draft modalities on Agriculture of 6 December 2008 and call on all the WTO members for the timely resolution of this matter, pursuant to the Hong Kong mandate of December 2005.

19. We call for, on an interim basis, the adoption of a decision in Bali on the cotton issue, on the basis of proposals made by the C-4 on behalf African producers and exporters of cotton, without prejudice to the interests of African cotton producing countries.

D. TRADE FACILITATION

20. Reaffirm the importance of Trade Facilitation where our priorities include enhancing infrastructure and boosting productive and trade capacities, in addition to reducing transaction costs, barriers, incentivizing the undertaking of reforms and improvements to the customs regulatory systems as well as boosting intra-African trade;
21. Re-emphasize the positions held by the WTO African Group on Trade Facilitation specifically that it is not a self-balancing, win-win and a monolithic pillar in the DDA negotiations. We call for an internally balanced agreement, providing developing countries and LDCs with policy space and flexibility to adopt and implement commitments commensurate with their capacity to do so. We stress the need for achieving balance with other issues on the agenda of MC9, with a view towards fulfilling the development dimension of the Doha mandate. In this regard, the Bali outcome should result in substantive outcomes in the area of Agriculture and Development issues. Where a balance is not attained, negotiations on Trade Facilitation shall continue post-Bali, with a view to attaining a balanced agreement that fully and effectively reflects the principles of special and differential treatment under Annex D of the 2004 July Package;

22. Further re-emphasize that obligations and measures being negotiated under the Trade Facilitation consolidated text must include binding, effective and operational rules on Special and Differential Treatment. The obligation on developing countries and LDCs to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement should be based upon their acquisition of capacity to implement, including through fulfilling, by developed countries, the obligation of delivering binding, new and long-term technical and financial assistance and capacity building necessary for African countries to achieve full implementation capacity. We underline the importance of the principles of self-designation and self-assessment under Section II of the Draft Trade Facilitation Agreement by developing countries and LDCs in determining the acquisition of capacity to implement;

E. ACCESSION

23. Reaffirm our full solidarity with all African countries in the process of accession into the WTO and urge all WTO members to facilitate and accelerate their accession in line with their level of development and the contours of the current WTO rules. In this regard, acceding African countries should not be required to give concessions beyond their level of development.

24. Invite WTO members to adopt measures and decisions aimed at simplifying accession procedures and enhancing the existing institutional mechanisms including the definition of transparent rules for the implementation of the provisions of Article XII of the Agreement establishing the WTO, with the objective of providing the opportunity to acceding African countries to express their views on the conduct of their accession

25. Urge WTO members, WTO Secretariat and relevant international organizations to provide technical assistance and capacity-building prior to and during and in the follow-up to the accession process in line with their needs and development priorities.

F. OTHER ISSUES

26. Take note of the holding of 8 to 10 July 2013 in Geneva of the Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade and emphatically reiterate our desire to see this initiative usefully support the efforts of the African Union, namely the implementation of its action plan to enhance intra-African trade and the creation of CFTA;

27. Express our deep concern over declining trends in Aid for Trade flows in particular financial resource allocations and disbursement. In this regard, call upon development partners to fulfill their commitments by providing predictable, additional financial resources with the effect of integrating the developing African countries into the multilateral trading system, in particular LDCs, Land-Locked Developing countries (LLDCs) and small and vulnerable economies (SVEs) in Africa by aligning their assistance to the regional and national priorities outlined by the Members;

28. Recall the decisions of the 8th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC8),particularly on TRIPS Non-Violation Situation complaints, the Work Program on Electronic Commerce, Work Program on Small Economies, Preferential Treatment to Services and Services Suppliers of LDCs and Trade Policy Review Mechanism and urge Members to ensure that requisite and decisive follow up actions are taken during the MC9 with a view to achieving their legitimate aims and objectives as stated therein;

29. Urge Members to refrain from making increasingly frequent recourse to the use of Non-Tariff Measures which are in ascendency, predominantly in markets of key export interest to Africa, at high costs and with a technical complexity in compliance with these meeting international standards;

30. Strongly Call on Members to design and strengthen existing tailor-made programs of assistance aimed at improving the capacity of developing countries, in particular, the African countries which face huge challenges in areas such as standards infrastructure including testing in general, the areas of conformity assessment, mutual recognition of standards and meeting technical regulations and international standards in key markets

G. CONCLUSION

31. Commit ourselves to speak with one voice on all the above issues.

Done in Addis Ababa, 25th October 2013

English

Declaration on the African Growth and Opportunity Act

CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN UNION
MINISTERS OF TRADE
24th - 25th October 2013
ADDIS-ABABA (ETHIOPIA)

AU/TI/TD/CAMoT-8/AGOA/DECL.FINAL
Original: English

DECLARATION ON THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

DECLARATION ON THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

WE, the Ministers of Trade of the Member States of the African Union, meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 24-25, 2013 in our 8th Ordinary Session;

Taking into account Africa’s international trade relations and economic partnerships particularly in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa-U.S. Trade and Investment Relations and its cornerstone policy, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA);

Welcoming the US Administration’s renewed engagement and the strong Congressional bi-partisan support to bolster partnership with Africa, spur economic growth, support regional integration, and encourage US companies to trade with and invest in Africa;

Expressing appreciation of President Obama’s announcement to host the next Summit of Heads of State from sub-Saharan Africa in the US, as a platform of engagement in a greater political dialogue on issues of common interest and concern, including AGOA at the bilateral, regional and international levels;

Commending also President Obama’s recent new initiatives: Trade Africa and Power Africa intended to boost trade with sub-Saharan Africa and which have an important potential to usher in a new model of collaboration that could be replicated across the continent in the coming years;

Taking into consideration the positive contribution of AGOA since its enactment in 2000 on economic growth, job creation, improvement of the business environment and stability in Sub-Saharan Africa, its transformation of the way Africa and the U.S. engage on trade and economic issues as well as the need for scaling up efforts in order to harness its full potential;

Welcoming the positive outcomes of the 12th AGOA Forum, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on August 12-13, 2013, under the theme “Sustainable Transformation through Trade and Technology” marked by a dynamic discussion on how AGOA can be better utilized to sustain Africa’s future growth, development and global economic integration and how to move Africa up the global value chain;

Referring to the recommendation of the Ministerial Consultative Meeting of the 12th AGOA Forum which underscored that AGOA should be reauthorized for at least 15 years for all eligible countries and that additional African countries should be offered eligibility;

Reaffirming the need for greater predictability and certainty in unilateral trade preferences schemes, as a necessary condition for sustained investment and growth;

Reiterating the high importance attached to the timely and seamless reauthorization of AGOA by 2014, and the major contribution it could make in supporting Africa’s economic transformation and deepening regional integration processes in order to enhance regional economies of scale, integration into global production chains and intra-African trade;

Hereby adopt the following as a consensus position, henceforth called “Declaration on the African Growth and Opportunity Act”, and:

1. Recommend the development in eligible countries of a national AGOA Export Strategy and the setting-up of a mechanism that can monitor and evaluate the implementation of AGOA as well as the outcomes of its annual Forum at the national level on a voluntary basis, and establish an annual evaluation report at the continental level that could serve as a valuable tracking tool for decision makers;

2. Direct the African Ambassadors Group in Washington, D.C., to continue engaging actively the U.S. Administration and members of Congress on the way forward for a timely, seamless and meaningful reauthorization of AGOA by October 2014 for a period of at least 15 years to ensure that trade with the U.S takes place on a predictable, reliable and legally secure basis in order to inspire investors’ confidence;

3. Recommend that the Third Country Fabric provisions should be made coterminous with AGOA since undue delay of the extension of that provision has devastating effects on loss of orders, jobs, business and investment in both the U.S. and Africa;

4. Also direct the African Ambassadors Group in Washington, D.C to mobilize the support of key stakeholders in the U.S. Administration, the Congress, private sector, civil society and think-tanks on the importance of developing an AGOA compact for the Eligible countries which have effectively developed and implemented a National AGOA export strategy, while underscoring the importance of the inclusive aspect of any project in order to allow the expansion of AGOA ‘s benefits to more countries;

5. Call upon the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the extension of AGOA by October 2014 for at least another 15 years, in an integrated and all-inclusive approach, so as to guarantee the predictability and certainty required for long-term investment and economic growth both in the U.S. and across the African continent, based on mutually reinforcing U.S.-Africa relations;

6. Deeply concerned by any development (including any possible studies) that undermines the seamless renewal of AGOA by 2014, and negatively affect the benefits to eligible countries, Call Upon the US to fast-track the seamless renewal of AGOA by October 2014;

7. Welcome the US Power Africa Programme and call on the US to use this as a model to support broader infrastructure development in Africa;

8. Also Call upon the U.S Administration and Congress to maintain and expand U.S trade preferences to ensure that African products remain competitive and improve rules of origin for some products with high export potential, and that AGOA preferences are not eroded in the context of bilateral or multilateral trade negotiations;

9. Further Call upon the U.S. Administration to integrate AGOA into an inclusive, predictable and sustainable framework that would promote industrial, commercial and agricultural development in the beneficiary countries, expand targeted tradecapacity building and technical assistance in quality assurance and standards, simplify compliance requirements, improve trade-related infrastructure and trade facilitation; enhance trade support and trade finance; and strengthen the regional integration processes in Africa;

10. Recommend the provision of higher visibility for AGOA in the U.S. Congress through the organization of Congressional Delegations to African Regions;

11. Suggest the establishment of a special fund, with the support of African Institutions, to finance advocacy efforts of the African Ambassadors Group in Washington D.C. in respect of AGOA-related trade and investment opportunities and regional integration;

12. Reaffirm our commitment to remain actively seized with this matter which has important implications for the establishment of a sustainable and mutually beneficial economic partnership between the U.S. and Africa based on shared values and common interests; and

13. Commend the strenuous efforts of the African Ambassadors Group in Washington, D.C., in particular the co-Chairs of the Ambassadors’ Working Group, Ethiopia and Mauritius, for their valuable contribution in developing a set of recommendations which have become an important roadmap for engagement with the U.S. side.

Done in Addis Ababa, 25th October 2013

English

Statement to All the African Youth from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the Occasion of the 8th Edition of the African Youth Day

STATEMENT TO ALL THE AFRICAN YOUTH

From the CHAIRPERSON

OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

ON THE OCCASION OF THE

8TH EDITION OF THE AFRICAN YOUTH DAY

1ST NOVEMBER 2013

 

On the commemoration of 2013 African Youth Day, I wish to congratulate and extend my best wishes to all the young people of this continent.

This celebration is very important to us at the Commission of the African Union, especially because it coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity. This organisation was founded in 1963 and for the period of its existence incorporated programmes and strategies for self-reliant development and cooperation among African countries. This dream and aspiration for a self-sufficiency led to the formation of the African Union in 1999. It is for this reason that the African Union was formed and has as a vision “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena”. It is against this background that the African Union set out the Agenda 2063, a strategic plan of action, which is aimed at ensuring that we work together to achieve the vision of the African Union in the next 50 years. Depending on how the agenda 2063 will be implemented, Africa’s development will reflect your efforts, involvement and commitment for action. Africa we want to see and deliver in 2063 will be the legacy you will handover to your children and grandchildren.

It is not enough to speak, write and disseminate a content and planned strategy to improve the development of the African continent and its people. It is not enough to involve the youth in the process. It is important and non-negotiable to ensure meaningful participation of all segments of African citizens in the implementation of the agenda 2063. There will be no excuse for anybody not taking part in this process. Each stakeholder must play its role. African Youth, be aware that you have to play your part, starting from now. Be confident that we know that YOU CAN DELIVER.

More than anything else, we, The African Union and its Commission, realise that the success of this Agenda 2063 can only be achieved with the active engagement and participation of all, especially the young people, who will be delivering to the younger generation in 2063. We realise that when we speak of a transformed Africa we speak of the Africa where the young people of today are our main players and partners for a sustainable development of the continent. We also acknowledge the fact that the resourcefulness, energy and dynamism of our young people are important assets, which should help us achieve our objectives. For these reasons, we are earnestly desirous of the full commitment of young people, both on the continent and in diaspora, to the vision of a prosperous and peaceful Africa by 2063.

A key component of our call, today, is for young people to take ownership of this vision of a prosperous and peaceful continent. As recommended by the framework of Agenda 2063, our invitation on this day is for young people to work with us at all levels for a common goal – a desire for accelerated progress on the continent. Ownership of this vision ensures that young people take their future, our collective futures, into their hands. It means that young people are active and engaged to meaningfully participate in the conception, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Agenda 2063.

It must be said that effective engagement and involvement in development begins from being adequately prepared, educated, skilled and trained to take action. For this reason, it is important to proactively improve our work on human capital development. We are fully committed to seeking out new ways to aggressively develop new skills and update competencies for the requirement of a modern technology and innovations on the continent. More importantly, our young people should show commitment for self-development and make themselves open to the various opportunities, which are made available to them. Action is required more than ever. We have said it all. Reports, resolutions, decisions, declarations are all adopted. Only actions, implementations, innovations are what Africa needs most. Youth United in Action towards the Agenda 2063 is and must be the one of the ways to go for positive and constructive changes

While we discuss the need for young people to take action, I want to enjoin the AU Member States to accelerate their work towards creating an enabling environment to make this happen. May I remind us of our commitment to youth engagement and the Entry into Force of the African Youth Charter and the African Youth Day, the 8th edition of which we celebrate today? I enjoin all member states to invest in youth and support activities towards the ratification and implementation of the African Youth Charter thus re-affirming their commitment towards the development of the youth on the continent.

Finally, I call on all of us, partners in development, to continue to create platforms and networks that increase participation of our young people in very concrete ways, to continue seeking opportunities and challenging yourselves so as to significantly continue to contribute to a prosperous and peaceful continent.

As we have made commitments to the future we want, I enjoin us to always remember to match our words with concrete effort and actions as we chart this new course.
All the best,

Long live African Youth!
God bless Africa!
I thank you!

Dates: 
November 01, 2013
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English

Keynote Statement by His Excellency Mr. Erastus Mwencha Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the Occasion of the Commemoration of the 4th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security

Keynote Statement by His Excellency Mr. Erastus Mwencha Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (Read by H.E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, Commissioner for Trade and Industry) on the Occasion of the Commemoration of the 4th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security

Dates: 
October 30, 2013
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PDF icon Keynote Statement by His Excellency Mr. Erastus Mwencha Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission
English

Opening Remarks by the Commissioner H.E. Martial De-Paul IKOUNGA during the Pan African University Steering Committee Meeting, 29 October 2013

Opening Remarks by the Commissioner H.E. Martial De-Paul IKOUNGA during the Pan African University Steering Committee Meeting, 29 October 2013

Dates: 
October 29, 2013
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English

Opening Remarks by African Union Commission Chairperson, HE Dr. Dlamini Zuma to the Plenary session on ‘Leadership of Regional Integration’ at the African Economic Conference, Fourways, Johannesburg

AFRICAN ECONOMIC CONFERENCE
28 October 2013, Fourways, Johannesburg

Opening Remarks by African Union Commission Chairperson, HE Dr. Dlamini Zuma to the Plenary session on ‘Leadership of Regional Integration’

Progress and challenges with integration

The launch of the African Union in Durban in 2002 saw the coming together of the two flagship integration projects – the project of political unity as espoused in the OAU Charter, and the project of economic integration as set out in the Abuja Treaty.

Since then, the Regional Economic Communities as building blocks of the AU have been making progress with the integration. Some of the highlights include:
• All accept one of the RECs have moved beyond the first stage of strengthening RECs; five out of eight have achieved stage two, which is the coordination and harmonization of activities and progressively eliminate tariff and non- tariff barriers; and five RECs have launched their free trade areas and customs unions, with East African Community leading the pack by having already achieved this third stage of the Treaty .
• The EAC/COMESA/SADC Tripartite that will see 27 countries uniting into a free trade area, collectively representing a positive step in terms of integration. However, the Tripartite is not moving as fast as expected and we should urge that we speed up the implementation of this agreement.
• ECOWAS setting the pace on freedom of movement of peoples, with both Ecowas and EAC recording improvements in intra-Africa trade.
• Increase in intra-Africa investment, with Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa amongst top foreign investors in the continent and we also see the growth of African companies with a continental footprint.
• Key continental frameworks also aimed at pooled sovereignity and therefore strengthening integration, including our infrastructure development programmes (PIDA). The Southern region for example is doing well in terms of improving transport networks in the region, but more needs to be done faster.

There are however a number of challenges that we continue to face:
• The RECs, though initially formed around economic and social integration, their agendas are increasingly dominated by peace and security issues, which are important but divert attention away from their core functions of integration and economic development.
• Integration of the RECs much slower than expected, with continued duplication of planning and processes. There is a need for greater coordination on key issues where our collective strength and pooled expertise and knowledge would make considerable difference, e.g. trade negotiations.
• Still inadequate link between continental, regional and national frameworks such as infrastructure, industrial policy, and so on. The challenges remain to ensure that our national, regional and continental frameworks are harmonized.
• The need for progress around soft issues with regards to movement of people, goods and services, and harmonization of policies.

Sovereignty at any time is exercised at three levels, at national level, between country and the rest of the world and our collective global sovereignty and our integration agenda therefore takes this into consideration.

Agenda 2063 and Integration

During the debates on the 50th anniversary, which is a yearlong celebration, it was said that today’s inheritors of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance are more than just fighters against what Africa does not like. Today’s generations must be the architects and builders of transformation, in order to make a Pan African Renaissance by 2063 possible .

The realization of our vision of an integrated, people-centred, prosperous Africa, at peace with itself is key to this Pan African Renaissance. The broad- based consultations around Agenda 2063 (by the ECA, ADB and AUC) with all sectors of African citizenry, is therefore part of the building a movement and broad-based leadership on the continent of architects and builders of this transformation. We should not only look at our Heads of State and Government as the leadership of Africa’s integration project, but leadership broadly and should involve all sectors of society, state and non-state.

The questions that Agenda 2063 the consultations address are very practical: (a) elaborating the vision for the continent by 2063; (b) the strategies and milestones to achieve this vision; and (c) the role of each stakeholders towards this vision. The Agenda 2063 Framework, which the AUC, ECA and ADB are coordinating will then be presenting to Heads of States and Government in January 2014, then taken for further consultations before finalization by July 2014.

We have to move from a situation of Africa as the least integrated continent, especially with regards to trade and infrastructure, towards pooling our collective resources, skills, markets, industries, experiences and other strengths.

Continental integration is therefore critical to all aspects of Agenda 2063, towards realization of a Pan African Renaissance and to the medium term priorities of the AU Commission. These priorities are:

a) Ensuring a skills revolution through investment in education, research, science and technology and innovation. This includes the Pan African University and the harmonization of university curriculums project, in order to build continental centres of excellence and the mobility of skills and of African students. This also requires linkages with industry in key growth sectors so that we can engage the private sector on the kind of skills required, on their contribution to training and skills development, and providing job and artisanal opportunities for young graduates.

b) Building Africa’s collective food and nutrition security through investment in agriculture, developing agro-processing, agricultural infrastructure and extension services, and infrastructure to expand trade in agricultural and food products amongst African countries.

c) Speeding up infrastructure development that address key economic and social needs (transport, ICT, energy and other social and economic infrastructure) and that also help to link economies and countries. The PIDA priority projects are important in this regard and cooperation amongst and across countries on these critical projects will also strengthen the foundations and drive for integration.

d) Investment in youth and women, who make up the majority in all countries and the benefits of such investments to growth, development and social cohesion and inclusion is critical.

e) The industrialization of the continent through value-addition and beneficiation of our natural resources, building manufacturing and services around our growing population needs, our domestic market and the development of regional production chains. Encouraging intra-Africa tourism.

f) Mobilising domestic resources, and pooled resources to speed up continental development and leverage external resources. Scale of many of the projects and programmes required pooled resources, planning, implementation and management.

We need to speed up progress on integration issues such as integrating the RECs, building the regional and continental common markets, free movement of people, services and goods and harmonization of policies.

However, integration will gain greater traction when we see greater cooperation in implementing our infrastructure projects; grow our agricultural and agro-processing sectors; industrialize and diversify our economies, increase trade amongst ourselves, build Pan African businesses, people to people links and harmonize our vocational and higher education sectors to allow for mobility of skills and proffssions in the continent.

Leadership on regional integration should therefore happen, not only at government level, but at all levels of African society and all institutions – whether business, civil society and private sector.

Thank you

Dates: 
October 28, 2013
File: 
PDF icon Opening Remarks (En)
English
Audio: 
Audio icon 25349-sp-african_narative_to_be_developed_and_carried_by_us_-_dr_dlamini_zuma_28-10-2013.mp3
Audio icon 25349-sp-ecowas_has_progress_in_the_customs_union_-_dr_dlamini_zuma_28-10-2013.mp3
Audio icon 25349-sp-epas_do_not_encourage_integration-_dr_dlamini_zuma.mp3
Audio icon 25349-sp-kampala_talks_are_important_-_dr_dlamini_zuma_28-10-2013.mp3
Audio icon 25349-sp-no_reluctance_to_integration_-_dr_dlamini_zuma_28-10-2013.mp3
Audio icon 25349-sp-we_are_very_positive_about_the_future_of_africa_-_dr_dlamini_zuma_28-10-2013.mp3

Statement by H.E. Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi (Amb.) Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union Commission at the Opening Ceremony of the 54th Ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)

Statement by H.E. Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi (Amb.) Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union Commission at the Opening Ceremony of the 54th Ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)

Dates: 
October 22, 2013
File: 
PDF icon Statement by H.E. Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi (Amb.) Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union Commission
English

Statement of the Deputy Chairperson at the launch of IPSA Project Oversight Committee (IPOC), Johannesburg 21st October 2013

Statement of the Deputy Chairperson at the launch of IPSA Project Oversight Committee (IPOC), Johannesburg 21st October 2013
Your Excellencies,
President, Pan-African Parliament
President, African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights
Chairperson, African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
CEO, NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Johannesburg and to have this rare opportunity to meet you at this launch of the implementation phase of the International Public Sector accounting Standards within the AU.

As you will recall, in January this year, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government adopted the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) as a basis of accounting and financial reporting for the entire Union. The objective is to harmonize financial reporting practices, improve transparency, promote efficiency, and comparability of our financial statements.
I am sure; you also received my communication in July 2013, which constituted into the IPSAS Project Oversight Committee so that the processes of operationalizing the project are led at the highest levels within the AU.
Your Excellencies, let digress a bit into history.
The AUC processes improvement programme started with the Institutional Transformation Process (ITP), launched in 2005 with the dual objective of:

• Modernizing financing and accounting systems and introducing computerized MIS and knowledge management systems; and
• Strengthening the capacity of the AUC to manage and coordinate effective links with the different organs and stakeholders of the African Union

The ITP achieved some significant milestones, notably the introduction of a strategic planning process, the introduction of a results based planning and management system and the introduction of SAP-an Enterprise Resource Planning System.

Another initiative was the 5 Pillar Institutional Audit covering Accounting Standards, Internal Control Standards, Internal Audit Charter and reporting, procurement and grant awards procedures. I am happy to let you know that the AUC which started at the needs improvement level, is now rated “Satisfactory” on 4 of the five Pillars. We are working on the accounting standards to complete the exercise and this will happen when we are IPSAS compliant.

Why IPSAS?

As you know, most Governments and Public International organizations, including the United Nations (UN) and its Specialized Agencies have adopted and have either completed implemetation or are in the process of implementing IPSAS. Need I therefore stress that the Union should not to remain behind but be in tune with comparable organisations since we mobilise resources from the same sources?

IPSAS is composed of credible, high quality, independently produced accounting standards, underpinned by a strong due process and supported by governments, professional accounting bodies, and international development organizations. It is not just a list of standards but a critical tool to make credible partners for doing business with. IPSAS represent best practice for governments’ and international inter-governmental organizations and the AU systems can only overlook it its peril.

Benefits
I know our technical people will outline to us the key benefits of the adopting IPSAS which include:

a) Improved stewardship and transparency with respect to recording of all assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses;

b) Improved quality, comparability and credibility of AU financial statements to Member States, donors and staff, by enhancing accountability, transparency and good governance.

c) More comprehensive and consistent information about income and expenditures which better support Results Based Management, and

d) Improved consistency and comparability of financial statements over time and across different organizations.

Challenges
We should not under estimate the task, for the adoption of IPSAS involves considerable challenges and complexities, involving the review of Financial Rules and Regulations, accounting policies, review and improvement of information systems. Furthermore, it also entails a significant cultural change in the way management and staff understands and uses financial information. The successful transition to IPSAS therefore hinges on strong senior management support and engagement, dedicated intra-organ task forces and the adoption of a project management approach to implementation. This exactly explains why we need to lead the process from the front.

It is therefore critical that we move in unison for leaving behind anyone of us will affect the rest. Moreover, the Assembly decision covers all the Organs of the African Union. It must be a joint project into which we all have a stake. Just as we shall work together at the oversight level, our personnel must do the same at the implementation level so that we meet our target of being fully compliant end of 2014.

Excellencies, let me now draw this Committee’s attention to the proposed revisions to the Financial Rules and Regulations to support the adoption of IPSAS. These proposed revisions, accompanied by explanations of the proposed changes, will be submitted to the PRC for consideration later this year and for approval during the January 2014 summit. I understand that the draft have been circulated to all organs for comments. The proposed changes are the outcome of a collaborative effort led by the IPSAS Implementation task Force and supported multi-disciplinary team on administrative policies to ensure that it reflects a union-wide document.

Let us carry out our oversight role with complete commitment and dedication which will require that we constantly monitor progress and ask the following questions:

a. Have all IPSAS issues been identified and IPSAS-compliant policies formalized within our various systems?
b. Have our procedures been fully integrated and made IPSAS-compliant?
c. Have our systems been tested, integrated and made IPSAS-compliant?
d. Have structures been set up to provide ongoing support to everybody involved in these processes?
e. Have all stakeholders been informed, prepared, trained and equipped for IPSAS adoption?
f. Is there a robust framework to support staff, management and our field offices during data collection and clean-up?
g. Have all impacts on the Financial Rules and Regulations (FR&R) been considered?
h. Have all policy decisions been supported by the Board of Auditors as well as the PRC?

Conclusion
In conclusion, let me draw you to the documentation the outlining the responsibilities of the IPSAS Project Oversight Committee, please read them and always keep them at the back of your mind as we embark on this work. While acknowledging that there will be challenges, we have to remain committed to the full implement IPSAS by end of 2014.

I thank you once more for attending this important meeting.
LET US GET DOWN TO WORK.

Dates: 
October 24, 2013
File: 
PDF icon Statement of the Deputy Chairperson at the launch of IPSA Project Oversight Committee (IPOC), Johannesburg 21st October 2013
English

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