Department FrontPage

CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

08 MARCH 2015

"WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS AFRICA AGENDA 2063"

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Ladies and gentlemen,

On this memorable day of 08 March commemorating International Women's Day around the world, I would like to add my voice to all women worldwide and especially the women of Africa in acknowledging the fight led by female pioneers for the rights of women throughout the past centuries. On International Women's Day, we celebrate the determination of women around the world to fight for equality and for social, economic and political rights.

The celebration of 8 March gives us the opportunity to highlight the economic, political and social achievements of women worldwide. It furthermore allows us to take stock of the progress made and the challenges we still face in recognizing and protecting the rights of women.

Today, the issue of recognizing women’s rights and its implementation is pivotal because it has been proven that sustainable development, political stability and economic growth cannot be achieved when a portion of the population is marginalized and excluded in the access and distribution of national resources.

Today, we can point to marked achievements in the representation of women – we have our first women Presidents, increased numbers of women in African parliaments, and we have gender parity in the African Union Commission leadership.

These must be celebrated, but much more remains to be done to increase women’s representation in all spheres – in the judiciary and in parliaments, in the economy and in the security sector. We must also intensify efforts to improve the visibility of African women on the national, regional and international scenes. Indeed, in traditional African society, it is actually women who are often, but discreetly, consulted by men when important decisions have to be taken in the community.

But why is it that women's decision-making power is not reflected in public? Why the African woman is always relegated to the background in the instances of modern public decisions? Why is the African woman excluded during elections in our countries? Why is she deprived from access to credit? To land? To education? To employment? To participation in peace negotiations? and so forth. These are existential issues for women who are awaiting concrete answers from all leaders.

On the eve of this 08 March, 2015, let us try to envision an International Women’s Day in the next 50 years, and know that the world will not celebrate women just for their struggles for gender equality, but will recognize every day as the days of both female and male citizens regardless of gender with equal and equitable rights for both women and men to be autonomous, educated, free to move and living in a stable and prosperous Africa.

Indeed, Agenda 2063 is led by the African people, particularly women and young people who are considered as the driving force of the continent, the pillars on which the continent must rely on to achieve a sustainable development and a prosperous and peaceful Africa. Agenda 2063 envisages a non-sexist Africa, an Africa where girls and boys can reach their full potential, where men and women contribute equally to the development of their societies.

It is with a view to successfully complete the Post-2015 Development Agenda, to accelerate Beijing and Dakar Platforms for Action and to implement gender equality and women’s empowerment policies that the Heads of State and Government of the African Union have declared 2015 as the "Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063."

The choice of African Union’s theme this year is indeed an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to the empowerment of African women to make it a reality rather than a mere statement.

Allow me to emphasize the five (5) major priorities areas that African women have identified as essential to empower them in achieving Agenda 2063. During the Consultation of Stakeholders held from 21st to 23rd January 2015, on the margins of the AU Summit, African women agreed on the following:

1. Women's health is a major concern in our countries since the sexual health and reproductive rights of women are still not sufficiently respected, which is why maternal and infant mortality rates continue to be high in the continent. I commend the national launches of the CAARMA (Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child Mortality in Africa). Its effective implementation will contribute to strengthening healthcare systems to benefit women and their socio-economic empowerment. We must invest in quality health services for all women and girls. I take this opportunity to recall the vulnerability and courage of women in countries affected by the Ebola virus outbreak. Women are paying the heaviest price for this epidemic, and special measures for their physical and mental recovery must be taken to protect them.

2. Quality education must be accessible for all our girls so that they do not become brides. This concern is one that’s shared today by many mothers and fathers in Africa, especially after the abduction of the Chibok Girls, in Nigeria. Africa needs a well-educated and prepared child and youth to succeed the elders. Agenda 2063 calls for the mobilization of an education revolution on the continent. This has been demonstrated by the Pan-African University, which is an educational institution that provides access to education in science and technology especially to young women and girls. Moreover, the private and public sectors of Information Communication Technology continue to provide training to girls and women, an effort that must be encouraged and promoted.

3. Peace and security on the continent is another priority of the African Union. It is an essential condition for the effective empowerment of women. Generally regarded as the most vulnerable group during armed conflicts and post-conflict, women should not only be seen in this light. Rather, it is necessary to see the contribution of African women in the peacekeeping process and the post-conflict reconstruction, and even in the transitional phase of justice and in the drafting of a new constitution. In the implementation of the AU program “Silencing the Guns by 2020”, the African Union is committed to mainstreaming gender in the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and its African Governance Architecture (AGA). For this, African women should be strongly engaged in policy and decision–making processes to reach 50/50 gender parity, especially during Presidential and Legislative elections on the continent. Women's voices should not count anymore as those of mere voters, but as candidates in instances relating to the highest decision-making bodies.

4. Agriculture is indeed one of the priorities that, if properly taken into account, will be the catalyst for the economic growth and social development of Africa. It is this vision that our African leaders had in 2014, when they declared it as the “Year of Agriculture” with the objective to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development. The theme of 2015 "Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063" is indeed a continuation of this commitment.

How can we speak of inclusive growth and sustainable development without recognizing the work of some of our African population, consisting mostly of women in rural areas? African women constitute more than 70 percent of small farmers that help to feed the majority of the growing population of Africa. They are mainly present in the agricultural sector and the informal sector of the Agribusiness.

Despite this critical role, rural African women continue to work the land with archaic working methods such as the handheld hoe! African women made this clear when they said:

“THIS HOE, WE DO NOT WANT IT ANY MORE!! IT MUST HENCEFORTH BE CONFINED TO THE MUSEUM AS AN ARTIFACT! A SUBJECT OF ART FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS!”

Each male and female farmer should now have a “Tiller”, a modern agricultural working tool that gives more dignity to the human being in her/his function as a farmer by reducing heavy labor load and by contributing to increased yields in agriculture, fisheries, livestock and poultry.

5. Economic empowerment of women essentially aims at the creation of a Bank for African women as has been done in some African countries such as Ethiopia, an example that should be replicated throughout Africa. I congratulate all those African countries who have gone beyond microfinance and microcredit by including gender equality in the financial mechanisms. Indeed, we must harness the power of women entrepreneurship with increased access and control over resources by African women. Our continent is rich in natural resources but our people, and, in particular women, remain poor.

I would like to conclude my message of this day, 08 March 2015, by emphasizing that the effective implementation of the theme of 2015 requires joint and determined efforts by all stakeholders: the RECs, Civil Society Organizations, and of course our Development Partners. We need all of you, men and women, as actors and actresses to achieve the Africa we want.

I thank you and wish all of you a Happy International Women’s Day

SPEECH OF HER EXCELLENCY MRS. TUMUSIIME RHODA PEACE,
COMMISSIONER FOR RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE OF THE
AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
AT THE JOINT CELEBRATIONS OF AFRICA ENVIRONMENT AND
WANGARI MAATHAI DAY AND WORLD WILDLIFE DAY
MARCH 3, 2015, NAIROBI, KENYA

Your Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya
Your Excellency, The First Lady
Honourable Prof. Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources
Honourable Cabinet Secretaries responsible for other portfolios
Your Excellency….., Director General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON)
Your Excellency Angelina Wapakhabulo, High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda representing the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Heads of Diplomatic Missions and UN Agencies
Your Excellency Met Wilk, representing the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
Excellences Ladies and Gentlemen
All Protocol Observed,
Your Excellency, allow me to extend to you warm greetings and best wishes from your sister, Dr. Nkozasana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and thank you and your government for graciously hosting thishosting this auspicious occasion. The dedication ofdedication of the government of the Republic of Kenya to the principles of environmental conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources has been amply demonstrated.
Your Excellency, your global contribution to the causes of Africa is highly appreciated by the African Union.
The celebrations today are significant from several dimensions. Firstly, they provide a platform to raise awareness on the numerous environmental challenges facing our dear continent. The rate of degradation of our forests, land, biological and water resources, has increased to an alarming level. These challenges have been aggravated by the continuing menaces of climate change and desertification. We must tighten our belts to overcome these problems if we are to consolidate the gains we have registered in the last few years in our fight against poverty and underdevelopment and ensure the prosperity of African citizens now and in future.
The celebration, Your Excellency, on the other hand offers us the opportunity to honour and remember the life and work of late Professor Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Laureate and the Founder of the Greenbelt Movement. This illustrious daughter of Africa epitomized environmental conservation and sustainable co-existence between man and nature. Her efforts led to greater political commitment and engagement for sustainable development and natural resources conservation not only in Africa but the world over. Her achievements, as you have heard from previous speakers, in championing the cause of grassroots’ women and other marginalized groups and the preservation of the Congo Basin Forests, among others, shall endure in our hearts and minds and in the life of our continent.
It was with this sobering reflection that the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in January 2012 called for the joint celebration of the Africa Environment and Wangari Maathai Day. Since then, this joint celebration has been held in several AU Member States representing the geographical regions of the continent; so far in Chad, Tunisia, last year: Lesotho and now Kenya. We also celebrate World Wildlife Day, while acknowledging that Wildlife is, indeed, an integral part of our environment which merits its conservation and sustainable use. It is an important natural endowment for Africa which contributes immensely to our socio-economic development. I, therefore, salute Your Excellency and your government for combining the celebrations which are meant to promote Africa’s sustainable development.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, the issue of wildlife conservation and illegal trade in wildlife products has gained prominence in the priorities of the African Union over the last few years. Your Excellency would recall that it was in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, that the African Union adopted the landmark decision on African Wild Flora and Fauna Conservation and Illegal Trade Wildlife.
This decision was spurred by the concern over the unsustainable utilization and conservation of Africa wild flora and fauna and the dramatic escalation of illegal exploitation and trade in wild flora and fauna in recent years, depriving African nations of their natural capital and cultural heritage thus undermining sustainable development as well as peace, security, rule of law and good governance in the continent. On the same note, our salutes go to the fallen heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the course of defending Africa’s wildlife, and I thank Your Excellency for honouring these African women and men.
African Environment Day celebration this year is also special in its theme on Empowering Women for Sustainable Natural Resources Management. The theme draws inspiration from the AU 2015 Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards the Agenda 2063. For Africa to attain the espoused vision of Agenda 2063, we must continue to pay attention to building the capacities of women and enhancing their productivity and managerial skills of small scale women farmers in particular so that their potential is unleashed for the better of our continent. Mark you, women form more than 50% of the population of Africa.
Your Excellency, there is an increasing appreciation of the role of women in environmental stewardship in Africa. Indeed, women are closest to nature. They till the land for crop production, fetch water, collect fuel wood and medical products and plant and tender trees. Women form the bulk of farmers and produce a greater part of the foods we eat every day. Their activities in the fields thus impact on the landscape and determine the health of the ecosystem.
If women were to down their tools, there would be a shock and crisis. Therefore, women should be empowered and capacitated to access productive resources like land and water as well as technologies to enable them reduce the drudgery that otherwise pushes them into degrading the ecosystem. As part of the series of events of the celebrations, the African Union Commission in collaboration with Your Excellency’s Government, UNEP, ICRAF and the Greenbelt Movement is organizing a Women and Environment Forum on March 4th at the ICRAF Headquarters in Gigiri. The objective of the Forum is to provide a platform for women to debate on their achievements, challenges and opportunities in the realm of environment and natural resources management. The Forum will come with recommendations on policy and institutional reforms necessary to promote and consolidate women’s participation in the stewardship of Africa’s natural heritage with the support and collaboration of our men folks.
We look forward to a successful Africa Environment Day/Wangari Maathai Day and World Wildlife Day.
Long live African solidarity and our natural heritage.
I thank Your Excellency, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, for your kind attention.

Statement by H.E. Mrs. TUMUSIIME Rhoda Peace,
Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture
African Union Commission
At the Occasion of the Fifteenth Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN)

Meeting of the Experts Group

02 – 04 March 2015

Cairo, Egypt
 
- Mr. Chairman / Madam Chairperson
- Mr. Kyaruzi Representative of the Minister of State, Vice President’s Office (Environment), United Republic of Tanzania and the President of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN)
- H.E. Dr. Khaled Fahmy, Minister, Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, Arab Republic of Egypt
- Eminent AMCEN Experts
- Mr. Mounkaila Goumandakoye, UNEP Director of the Regional Office for Africa
- Mr. David Ombisi of the AMCEN Secretariat
- Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, Regional Economic Communities; African Institutions – African Development Bank, NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, AUC, AMCEN Secretariat, UN Agencies – UNEP, UNDP, UNISDR, WMO, WHO and others here present
- Permit me to recognize the Representatives of the Development Partners – the EU, France, Japan and other here present
- Representatives of the Civil Society Group, the Press and Media Group
- Distinguish Delegates
- Ladies and Gentlemen

 
1. Let me start by welcoming you all to the meeting of the Experts Group of the Fifteenth Session of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) and also express my warm greetings and the best wishes from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

2. I would also like to register the appreciation of the African Union Commission to the government and the people of the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting the AMCEN session for the second time in thirty years, the warm welcome and hospitality extended to all our delegations since arrival in this beautiful, fascinating and historic city of Cairo.

3. I wish to also commend UNEP, the AMCEN Secretariat, Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) Programme Partners, AU Monitoring of the Environment for Security in Africa (MESA) Programme Partners; the AUC-EU-ACP-UNEP Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Programme Partners and other Development Partners for their cooperation and collaboration with the African Union Commission and to the organizers including the local team for all the efforts deployed in convening this important meeting.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen
4. It is indeed significant and timely that we all converge here because it is necessary to address the challenges at hand including the concerns such as the rate at which our lands are being degraded; our forests are being cut down, the unexploited potentials of our water towers coupled with their limited protection and many others.

5. As if these are not enough, climate change and its adverse impacts continue to increase and intensify in disrupting our livelihoods and development trajectory. Therefore, these serve as a clarion call to the Experts with the guidance of the Honorable Ministers, in the African Union Member States, at the continental level, through AMCEN, in championing policies, strategies, plans of action, programmes and projects for the sustainable development of our natural resources in a manner that will meet the needs of our generation and those of the future. We, therefore, look forward to your efforts in this regard.

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
6. Truly, our meeting today is taking place just after the 24th African Union Summit held in January 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme: “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”, where some key events took place. First, the Member States commended the leadership of the outgoing Coordinator of the Committee of the African Heads of State and Government (CAHOSCC), H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania for steering the work of CAHOSCC from January 2013 to December 2014 including the Nineteenth and Twentieth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 19 and COP 20) held in Warsaw and Lima respectively. Second, I am happy to inform you that the United Republic of Tanzania handed over the coordination of CAHOSCC to the Arab Republic of Egypt after a successful tenure in Office. Third, I further wish to inform you that the Assembly urged Member States to implement the CAHOSCC High Level Work Programme on Climate Change Action in Africa (WPCCAA) that was adopted in Malabo during the AU Summit, which convened in June 2014.

7. I am delighted that the AMCEN meeting is also taking place after His Excellency, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary General convened the Climate Summit on 23 September 2014 on the margins of the 69th UN General Assembly (UNGA69) in New York. The Climate Summit provided a unique opportunity for the world leaders to champion an ambitious vision, anchored in actions that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strengthen climate resilience and mobilize political will, which will facilitate a meaningful and universe legally binding Agreement in December 2015 in Paris at COP 21/CMP11.

Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Delegates,

I am highlighting all these to show that our meeting today is indeed, a momentous occasion, strategic and at a critical juncture to save the life of our planet for generations to come also in view of some reasons: First, the global community is moving towards the adoption of the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan at the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction from 14 – 18 March 2015. Second, the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is expected to be endorsed in September 2015 in New York as agreed during the World Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) held in Brazil in 2012; and Third, the new Climate Change Agreement is also expected to be adopted in December 2015 in Paris, France.

Excellences, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

15.Looking at the agenda of the Experts Group, it is my conviction that the AMCEN has a critical role to play in ensuring the effective implementation of the AU Summit and AMCEN Decisions, particularly the issue of the implementation of the High Level Work Programme on Climate Change Action in Africa in the current global negotiations; the Operationalization of the Specialized Technical Committees of the AU, the implementation of the Decision on African Wildlife Flora and Fauna Conservation and Illegal Trade in Wildlife; ensuring that Africa continues to speak with one voice in accordance with our traditional practice in the global negotiations by reflecting the African Common Position (CAP) in the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015; and further advancing the African interests in the global Climate Change negotiations, under the political leadership of the new CAHOSCC Coordinator, H. E. Mr. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen

16. Allow me to further seize this vital opportunity to reiterate that strengthening partnerships and working more closely will move the African Environment Agenda forward faster. In this regard, I wish to conclude by reassuring you all that the African Union Commission will continue to support the CAHOSCC, AMCEN and AGN processes, collaborate with all Development Partners, Stakeholders including the Civil Society Group and the Media Personnel on all environmental related activities towards promoting environmental sustainability in our dear African continent. Lastly but not least, I wish to once again thank AMCEN, its Secretariat and the Arab Republic of Egypt for the great organization of the Fifteenth session of AMCEN in one of the globe’s splendid and historic city.

I thank the Honourable Minister for sparing time to grace the opening of the AMCEN Experts Group Meeting. Thank you Sir.

I thank you all for your kind attention.

Shukuran ! Obrigada! Asante sana!! Merci beaucoupe !!!

OPENING REMARKS BY HER EXCELLENCY MADAM RHODA PEACE TUMUSIIME, COMMISSIONER FOR RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
AT THE OPENING OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF PAN-SPSO CONSOLIDATION PHASE INTER-AFRICAN BUREAU FOR ANIMAL RESOURCES (AU-IBAR)
26TH FEBRUARY 2015, NAIROBI, KENYA

Opening Remarks by her Excellency Madam Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the Opening of the Fifth Meeting of the Steering Committee of Pan-Spso Consolidation Phase Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-Ibar)
26th February 2015, Nairobi, Kenya

The Director of the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhy
The Director of the Inter-African Phytosanitary Centre, Dr. Jean Gerald Mezui M’Ella
Representatives of of Regional Economic Communities, our building blocks: UMA, COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, IGAD, SADC and ECOWAS
Representative of the European Commission, Mr. Patrick Baestiensan
Representative of International Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Mr. Andrea Ferrero
Distinguished Members of the PANSPSO implementing team and other AUC members of staff

It is an honor and a pleasure for me to welcome you all to the fifth meeting of the Steering Committee of the Project “Participation of African Nations in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards-setting Organizations Consolidation phase (PANSPSO II)”. I also wish to convey to you warm greetings and best wishes of the 2015 Year to bring you productivity, happiness and prosperity.
The meeting that gathers us here today is of importance for all the implementing partners of the project as it comes to an end on 31st December 2015 but more importantly as it contributes to the component of the AU’s vision of Africa becoming ‘‘a dynamic force in the global arena’’ by contributing to and adhering to international standards.
During the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee, I stated that while AU-IBAR assumes the overall responsibility of ensuring effective implementation and results-oriented monitoring for the PAN-SPSO project, on one hand, on the other hand, the Steering Committee provides three-fold strategic guidance to the project; : one being to ensure coherent implementation of activities in order to avoid duplication of efforts with other projects; two, to establish a process to alert members to any challenges in project implementation and provide the basis for making any needed adjustments ; and three, to promote discussions between AU-IBAR, AU-IAPSC, Member States and RECs on remedial actions to be adopted to avert technical irregularities that may lead to non-compliance with the contractual agreements.
During our meeting today we need to come up with concrete recommendations on the sustainability mechanisms to put in place in order to maintain and enhance the momentum gained during the implementation periods of the phases 1 and 2 of the PANSPSO project at national and regional as well as at African Union level.
Last year, we recommended that AU-IBAR implements the exit strategy at national level through the national SPS Committees in order to sustain the core activities that the government should fund. It appears that countries, where it has been applied so far, are still facing difficulties to provide the minimum funding for the functioning of the national SPS Committees. This is a matter we need to discuss and find a way forward.

Ladies and Gentlemen
The PANSPSO project has supported African delegates to participate in the discussion and adoption of many regional and international animal health, plant health and food standards and, so far, only a few countries have not complied with or incorporated the standards in the national regulations and enforced them. Compliance with adopted standards shall be the logical next step that AU shall focus on in order to enhance trade and access to regional and international markets while ensuring effective participation in the elaboration and adoption of standards.

The support to sanitary and phytosanitary activities by the African Union will be streamlined through the AU Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Africa Agricultural Growth and Transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihood in Africa, the Strategic and Operational Plan of the AU Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture and specifically the Strategic Plan of AU-IBAR and the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa and Continental Livestock Development Program under development.

The African Union Commission and specifically my Department will continue to support, promote and sustain, in partnership with the RECs and specifically the Member States, the effective participation of African countries in the sanitary and phytosanitary standard setting processes and also encourage them in complying with the global agricultural standards which they participated in adopting. This is in line with the resolutions of the Ministers responsible for animal resources in 2010 in Entebbe, Uganda and the decisions of the AU Heads of State and Government related to the common positions and the SPS Committees.
In the course of this meeting, we shall be briefed on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the last meeting of the Steering Committee and the project activities as per the financing agreements. We shall also reflect on challenges and build consensus on the way forward.
In this regard, I look forward to your usual active participation in the deliberations and I now declare formally open the fifth meeting of the Steering Committee of the PANSPSO Consolidation Phase.
I thank you for your attention.

Welcome Statement by Dr. Jinmi Adisa, Director, Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) and Head of the Secretariat of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC) to the 1st Session of the 2nd Permanent ECOSOCC General Assembly held In Cairo, Egypt,
26 February to 1 March 2015.

Your Excellency, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt,

The Honorable Presiding Officer of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union,

Your Excellency, the Head of AU Mission in the Cairo Office,

Your Excellency, The Advisor to the Chairperson

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Honorable Members of the 2nd ECOSOCC Permanent General Assembly,

Distinguished Members of the African Civil Society,

Members of the Press Corps and Fourth Estate,

Invited Guests,

Distinguished Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with honor and great delight that I welcome you all to this maiden session of the 2nd Permanent General Assembly of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC) in Cairo, Egypt, from 26 February to 1 March 2015. This meeting comes closely on the heels of the inauguration of the Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya on 23 December 2015 and in the wake of the recent session of the Council and Assembly of the African Union held in Addis Ababa from 25-31 January 2015.

The meeting marks the celebration of the pledge given by the Honorable Presiding Officer at the installation of the ECOSOCC Assembly in Nairobi regarding the need for an orientation program in February 2015 to situate the 2nd General ECOSOCC Assembly within the framework of the African family so that the efforts of Members and the corporate body can be aligned effectively to the aims and objectives of ECOSOCC and the Union at large.

As soon as the meeting in Nairobi was concluded on the eve of Christmas celebration of December 2015, the Secretariat began consultation with our two focal points in Egypt and Egyptian Government authorities in the Foreign Ministry regarding the prospects for holding the meeting. Simultaneously, the ECOSOCC Secretariat initiated measures for securing authorization for administrative and political support at the level of the Commission through the Office of the Chairperson as required by the appropriate rules and regulations of the AU. The agenda and work program was also developed in collaboration with the Bureau and Presiding Officer for your consideration as you deem fit. The development of this agenda and work program has been guided by the aims, objectives and goals that you agreed upon in Nairobi and the subsequent decisions of the Summit.

I wish to acknowledge the strong support of the two national focal points, the Egyptian Red Crescent represented by Ms. Nagwa Metwaly and the Egyptian Business Women Association represented by Dr. Ahmany Asfour in ensuring that the meeting can be held as scheduled. More significantly, I wish to acknowledge the profound support of the Government of Egypt and especially the Foreign Ministry in making sure that all necessary facilities are offered and provided to support this meeting. These include political, moral and material support and active communication and liaison with us in Addis Ababa to ensure that the process is smooth and successful.

It is noteworthy also that our arrival here and follow-up preparations has been aided by active connivance of the Government and people of Egypt who have spared no efforts to make us feel welcome. I wish on behalf of the Secretariat to express our candid appreciation and gratitude for this fellowship that is given in the best tradition of African solidarity and brotherhood. We briefed the Bureau and the Presiding Officer about the progress of this endearing experience and the enthusiastic support we have received. We wish to convey our sincere and fervent gratitude to the people and Government of Egypt and to indicate that we are assured that the Second ECOSOCC Assembly will hold quality deliberations and come out with significant decisions that will mark its debut in Cairo as an occasion of immeasurable importance as a mark of tribute to the people and Government of Egypt.

I would also like to welcome and thank all Honorable Members of the General Assembly of ECOSOCC for taking the time and effort to attend this important meeting. The significance of this meeting is underlined by the ECOSOCC Statutes that invests the General Assembly in Article 9 with authority as the highest policy and decision-making body of ECOSOCC. This maiden session will set general and specific directions for the conduct and activity of this important Organ and it is important to get it right an appropriately so it fine. The strength of any building depends on the foundation and what we do today echoes continually afterwards.

Each and every Member of this August Assembly has invested significantly in ensuring that they are present here today. The various members have other full time obligations, which implies that there is an opportunity cost in coming here. Travel carries its own inherent discomforts including the cramped seats and jet lags, the fabricated airplane meals, occasional and enforced association with people that some may often wish that they have not had to meet, the waiting periods for embarkation, arrival processes and immigration formalities and health screening for Ebola besides travel delays, ticket difficulties and other associated impediments. Every honorable Member has experienced this in one way or the other, albeit in different degrees. So also have AU staff members that have come to support this meeting. You are all here because you have the commitment to be here to support the development and integration agenda of the continent.

Africa salutes you all.

Thank you.