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STATEMENT BY H.E MRS. RHODA PEACE TUMUSIIME, THE COMMISIONER FOR RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
read for her by
Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel, Director for Rural Economy and Agriculture

AT THE SIDE EVENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA REGIONAL FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES FOR THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIO+20 OUTCOMES IN AFRICA
The FIRST UNIVERSAL SESSION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME AND GLOBAL MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM

NAIROBI, KENYA, 22 FEBRUARY 2013

Your Excellency Terezya L. Huvisa, Minister of State- Environment, Vice-President’s Office of Tanzania and President of AMCEN
H.E Mrs Christina Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Dr. Desta Mebratu, UNEP Regional Representative and Deputy Director for Africa
Representatives from AfDB, UNECA, and UNDP
Distinguished Delegates, Partners, Ladies and Gentlemen
My name is Abebe Haile Gabriel. I am the Director for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union Commission. I bring you greetings from Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture who, unfortunately could not be here with us this afternoon but has asked me to represent her.
I have the honour to address you all at the side event on “Development of Africa Regional Flagship Programmes for the Effective Implementation of the Rio+20 outcomes in Africa” in the margins of the UNEP’s First universal session of the Governing Council and Global Ministerial Environment Forum.

Allow me to recall Africa’s legacy at Rio+20 illustrated by a strong commitment, dedication and a clear sense of priorities in order to achieve sustainable development on the Continent. Africa was fully mobilized under the strong leadership by African Heads of State and Government, which resulted, as you know, in the successful presentation and negotiations of Africa’s common position at Rio+20.

I would like to take this opportunity to deliver our appreciation to all partners here in accompanying Africa’s successful participation at Rio+20 and who, once again, are gathered here to support the implementation of its outcomes in Africa.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon said at Rio+20 Conference, “The speeches are over. Now the work begins.” Indeed, it is time for us to translate our commitments into effective action on the ground in order to build the sustainable future of this Continent.
It gives me tremendous pride to share with you today that Africa has already embarked on its implementation process of the Rio+20 outcomes.

In accordance with the Decision of the 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU in July 2012, as H.E The President of AMCEN alluded to earlier on, African Ministers of Environment have developed a roadmap for the effective implementation of the Rio+20 outcomes, which includes development of Key Africa Regional Flagship Programmes at the 14th Session of AMCEN in September 2012, in Arusha, Tanzania.

I am pleased to share with you that the recommendations, decisions and messages contained in the AMCEN report were presented at the 20th African Union Summit in January 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and were well received and commended. In particular, the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU endorsed the development and implementation of Africa Regional Flagship programmes within the framework of the Rio + 20 Outcomes which relate to Africa.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

We have observed the strong political commitments from our leaders in Africa and we have all mandates needed given by our member states for the implementation of the outcomes of Rio+20. Now it is time to develop these Regional Flagship Programmes including clear modalities for implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation of progress on regular basis. This is an important forum for providing guidance on the process leading towards developing and implementing Africa flagship programmes.

I would like to assure you of the full commitment of the African Union Commission in this endeavour and its determination to see this process through. I also would like to call on our partners in Africa and beyond to join and support our efforts to generate positive changes in Africa and make these flagship programmes one of the key milestones in achieving African renaissance in line with the Theme of the 50th Anniversary of OAU, predecessor to AU, which we will mark this year in May.

I thank you for your attention.

AFRICA-SOUTH AMERICA FORUM OF COOPERATION
MINISTERIAL MEETING
21 FEBRUARY 2013
MALABO, EQUATORIAL GUINEA

STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. ERASTUS MWENCHA, DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

Excellency Minister for Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea
Honorable Ministers,
Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen

I feel greatly honored to be addressing this august body of Foreign Ministers of our two Regions, Africa and Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), gathered here in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to lay foundation for the building of a strategic inter-regional cooperation.
At the very onset, allow me to convey our deepest appreciation to our host, the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, H.E. Mr. Theodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, as well as the Government and the people of this beautiful country for their warm welcome and the facilities extended to us since our arrival. I also bring greetings from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who for reasons beyond her control, is unable to be at this meeting, but will be joining us later.

You may recall that the Ministerial Session of Africa-South America Forum for Cooperation (ASACOF) convened here in November 2011 in preparation for the 3rd ASA Summit, which was postponed for today.
The outcomes of the above-mentioned meeting were translated into a Joint Communiqué, which paved the way for advancing the cooperation agenda through taking of certain actions, namely the Implementation of Africa-South America Action Plan 2013-2016, setting up of the Presidential Strategic Committee, creating a Working Group mandated to carry out a study on the financing of the Permanent Secretariat, and initiating a process for the establishment of a Trust Fund for the implementation of projects.
That is why, partly, the 3rd ASA Summit, which was scheduled to take place in May 2012 did not convene as preparatory issues were still pending and/or unresolved. It is against this backdrop that a Meeting of the Africa-South America Coordination Mechanism at Ministerial Level was held on the 27th of September 2012, in New York, on the margins of the UN General Assembly.
In attendance, were, among others, Equatorial Guinea, as host of 3rd ASA, Venezuela as host country for the 2nd ASA Summit, Ecuador as President of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and of course the African Union Commission. This meeting gave a new impetus to the preparation process, which translated into the decision to hold this meeting here in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea at this time.

Your Excellencies, I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the ASA Coordination Mechanism, the high officials in Addis Ababa, and the South American side who are working tirelessly to prepare all working documents for this meeting.
As you may be aware, the task ahead of us is threefold:
1) To agree on a Financing Mechanism;
2) Agree on the proposed implementation plan, and
3) Establish all ASA institutional mechanisms required for the financing of ASA project/progammes, as well as the proper functioning of our partnership.
To this end, consultations are still ongoing and we trust that a final document will be ready for your consideration and adoption later today.

At this junction, allow me to contextualize the setting up of this partnership between our two regions. It is known to all of us that this partnership is taking place within the South-South Framework Cooperation and is underpinned by political solidarity and inspired by our shared historical background and common aspirations. The success of our common desire is translated into concrete projects to be realized and areas of mutual interests clearly defined to propel the partnership to greater heights for mutual benefit of our peoples of the two (2) Continents.
These areas of mutual interest include: improving trade and investment prospects between Africa and South America; education; energy & Infrastructure; agriculture, and to foster social justice, inclusive social policies by mainstreaming the effective participation of youths, civil society and gender groups. Both regions recognize the need to join hands in fighting common challenges such as drug trafficking and human smuggling, terrorism in all its forms, piracy, mercenarism, and other transnational organized crime, in order to promote peace & security across the continents. Cooperation programmmes in these areas are vital for the advancement of the broader development of Africa and South America.

From an economic standpoint, the rapid economic progression of both continents has, and will continue to significantly improved trade facilitation. With a combined GDP per Capita (nominal) of about $10,600 in 2010 (compared with $32,007 for North America and $25,434 for Europe), both Africa and South America stand a better chance of increasing its bargaining power and attracting necessary investments. Through our commitment to a multilateral system and articulated policies, the South-South Cooperation has the potential of contributing significantly improving infrastructure, food security, the development of alternative sources of energy and increased use of renewable energy sources and hybrid energy technologies.

Your Excellencies, I am especially elated that this meeting is taking place in the helm of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the African Union, formerly the Organization for African Unity. We believe this celebration offers an opportunity for both sides to work towards the objective of transformation, which we aspire for in the coming decades. In this regards, ASA as our strategic partner and the Diaspora will play a major role, reflecting our shared background and close ties through their contributions for a better world by engendering peace and prosperity.

May I, on that note, thank the Honorable Ministers for coming to this important meeting and wish this session a successful outcome.

I thank you for your kind attention.

On the occasion of the Africa Industrialization Day
20 November 2012

JOINT MESSAGE By African Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

H.E. Mrs.Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Chairperson
Africa Union Commission (AUC)

Mr. Carlos Lopes,
Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary,
(UN Economic Commission for Africa)

Mr. Kandeh K. Yumkella
Director-General
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

THEME: “Accelerating Industrialization for Boosting Intra-African Trade”

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we celebrate the Africa Industrialisation Day in support ofthe economic transformation of Africa. In 1989, when the United Nations General Assembly chose the 20 November to commemorate Africa’s industrialization, it sought to mobilize support for, and reaffirm the international community’s commitment to Africa’s industrial development. More than 20 years later, we can measure both the progress achieved and the efforts that still to be undertaken.

This year’s theme, Accelerating Industrialisation for boosting intra-African trade, is fully in line with the issues discussed during the last two AU sessions of Summits (in January and July 2012). African Industrialisation day will provide an excellent opportunityto discuss, throughout Africa and the World, further steps to accelerate the continent’s trade-related integration.

Most African economies have gradually recovered from the 2008 global financial crisis, but the continent’s weaknesses remain a challenge.Although, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of economies will grow by more than 5% this year, there are many new threats; commodity prices start declining, fuel and food prices have recently soared and the European debt crisis is likely to affect Africa’s exports in the very near future. We know that our current economic structures are fragile, and that they too heavily rely on commodity prices. To sustain our development efforts, we require investment promotion and upgrading of trade capacities and infrastructure. Many economic and political challenges still hamper Africa’s competitiveness. Small and isolated economies cannot efficiently and durably tackle these challenges. Structurally, we need to deepen the integration of African economies.

Indeed, unleashing Africa’s economic potential requires collective and well-coordinated approaches.To this end, the demonstrated determination of African leaders to work together on the dismantlement of trade restrictions is undoubtedly a very positive message for the entire continent. The number of active Preferential Trade Agreements between African countries has rocketed since 2000, attaining 24 in 2012. But except in Eastern Africa, where a common market has been launched in 2010, regional and sub-regional trade facilitation initiatives has so far encountered limited success. Therefore, efforts need to be reinforced at the level of the continent to advance this essential issue. We believe that modest reductions in trade transaction costs can substantially increase trade opportunities in Africa. This is why we support the creation of a Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, as a first and ambitious target towards setting-up an African Common Market, which can help improve economic performance through a large increase in business opportunities, Foreign Direct Investment flows and Tax Revenues. Enhanced business climate, regional chain value and competition frameworks should also help boost intra-African trade, especially for important sectors such as services, finance, tourism and communication.

Yet Africa’s integration cannot be achieved without harmonized policies and monetary regulation, new cross-border security frameworks and the elimination of non-tariff trade barriers. As emphasized in the AUC’s Action Plan for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA), which involved UNIDO’s and UNECA’s assistance, intra-African trade will also heavily rely on our capacity to fast-track resource mobilization efforts towards catalyzing investment in transport infrastructure and new energy sources in Africa. These burning issues require a strong and urgent commitment from the African community.

Nevertheless, despite the daunting challenges and remaining obstacles, it is crucial to foster Africa’s industrialization, and intra-African trade is the one of the best drivers of change. Therefore, AU, UNECA and UNIDO call for renewed and intensified efforts to strengthen regional trade facilitation initiatives and speed up the establishment of the pan-African free trade area. It is time to make our vision a reality, and turn Africa into a competitive, attractive and integrated economy.

We wish you all an excellent celebration of the 2012 Africa Industrialization Day.

Thank you for your attention.

ALLOCUTION DE S. E. MME FATIMA HARAM ACYL
COMMISSAIRE AU COMMERCE ET A L’INDUSTRIE
A L’OUVERTURE DE LA REUNION CONJOINTE DES MINISTRES DE L’AGRICULTURE ET DES MINISTRES DU COMMERCE

29 NOVEMBRE 2012
ADDIS ABEBA, ETHIOPIE