Department FrontPage

Statement Delivered on Behalf of Her Excellency Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi (Amb.), Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union Commission at the Consultation with Experts on the African Transitional Justice Policy Framework, Nairobi, Kenya

Statement of The African Union Commission Chairperson: H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to the Meeting of the SADC Heads of State and Government, Lilongwe, Malawi, 17-18 August 2013

Your Excellency Armando Guebuza, Outgoing Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of Mozambique;

Your Excellency Dr Joyce Banda, In-coming Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of Malawi;

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government and Heads of SADC Delegations;

Excellencies Former Heads of State present;

Honourable First Ladies present and the First Gentleman of the Republic of Malawi;

Honourable Members of the SADC Council of Ministers;

Your Excellency Dr Salamao; Outgoing Executive Secretary of SADC;

Distinguished Invited Guests and Representatives of International Organisations;

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It gives me great pleasure to address this august SADC Summit for the first time since I assumed duty as Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in mid October last year.

I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank you, individually and collectively, for the support you continue to give to the work of the AU Commission.

It is perhaps not surprising, in the year that we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the OAU and AU, that we are going through both exciting and challenging times.

Exciting times, because many trends are finally moving in the right direction on the continent, not because of some stroke of luck, but because of the foundations laid by the founding mothers and fathers of the OAU in 1963, and the decision to transform it into the African Union, in 2002, to accelerate political and economic integration on the continent.

Over the last decade, we have seen decisive progress with the resolution of long-standing conflicts, the process of democratization and growing confidence by both our public and private sectors to invest in the development of the continent. Thus we observe encouraging signs in our human development indicators, our growth and investment figures and finally also with regards to Africa’s infrastructure development.

Coupled with the vast potential of our natural and human resources, we have all reason to face the future with confidence and optimism.

And yet, we also continue to face challenges, including those related to poverty, underdevelopment, binding infrastructure and trade constraints, unemployment particularly youth unemployment, low levels of industrialization, gender inequality, conflicts and instability, to name a few.

Excellencies,

This therefore imposes enormous responsibilities on all of us, at continental, regional and national levels. Let me highlight a few issues, which are on the agenda of this Summit.

Regional integration remains the driving force towards Africa’s full economic and political integration, which is at the core of AU’s mandate.

The attainment of this vision is not dependent on the work of the AU Commission alone, but that of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), who are the building blocks of the Union.

The 2012 Report on Africa’s Regional Integration Agenda shows that we are making progress on the milestones stipulated in the Abuja Treaty; for an example five out of eight RECs have achieved some progress in coordination and harmonization activities to 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. We must congratulate SADC for being amongst those who are making progress, especially the bold steps taken with the establishment SADC-COMESA-EAC Tripartite Cooperation. We hope that these and other efforts can be accelerated further.

Furthermore, with regards to other aspects of integration we have ECOWAS setting the pace on freedom of movement of peoples and ECOWAS and EAC have recorded improvements in intra-regional trade.

Infrastructure development and investment, though improving, remains the main constraining factor not only on growth, but more importantly on integration. We must therefore unite and concretise the proposals on the table, such as the Africa50 Fund agreed to by the AUC, ADB, ECA and the RECs; and other proposals contained in the ECA and NEPAD Study on Alternative Sources of Funding. The 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration enjoined us to take charge of Africa’s development, by investing in its infrastructure. We must also pay attention to developing and utilizing maritime infrastructure so that we can facilitate the movement of people, goods and services. Similarly, we should take steps to explore and exploit resources in our oceanic space, which is even much larger than our landmass.

With regard to agriculture and food security, Africa is still a net-importer of food, even though we have vast amounts of arable land and water resources. The SADC region is no exception. We must work together to reverse this trend to guarantee food and nutritional security for our people and become net-exporters of agro-products.

Excellencies,

We will not succeed if we do not invest in our human resources. In order to give the ever-growing number of young people a stake in the prosperous future and channel their energy and creativity toward innovation; in order to bring to fruition all our infrastructure, social and human development programmes; in order to build the capacity of our public and private sectors to be truly developmental; in order for Africa to industrialise and build inclusive prosperity, and to feed ourselves and the world; in order to empower women and unleash the potential of half our population, we must invest in our most important resource, our people. Our approaches to education, science, technology, research and innovation must therefore lead to a skills revolution at national, regional and continental levels.

In this regard we are reminded that it was in this region that the AU Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa was adopted in Maputo in 2003. We are also mindful that the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development comes into effect this year.

It is an undisputed fact that Africa cannot develop to its full potential, if it does not include women in all areas of human endeavor. The empowerment of women and girls and the implementation of commitments of the AU and SADC Protocols are therefore the responsibility of all of us. A few days ago we reflected on the ten years since the adoption of the AU Protocol on Gender, and realized that progress is slow and minimal in many areas. In order to achieve the objectives of the Decade of African Women and realize the milestones set towards 2020 we must speed up the domestication and implementation of all the provisions of these Protocols.

Excellencies,

We cannot succeed in realizing the dream of Africa’s Renaissance, unless we begin to address squarely the issue of intra-Africa investment and funding for our collective programmes. In this regard, African countries must begin to look within the continent for investment opportunities and resources, for example in our national pension funds, sovereign funds etc. This will go a long way in unleashing Africa’s resources toward its development. Already there are encouraging signs that some African countries, such as Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa are becoming major investors on the continent. More countries should be encouraged.

We must also be resolute in our search for alternative sources of funding of our continental agenda and programmes. As you are aware 97% of the AU Programme budget is funded by external donors. Just to illustrate this point with respect to the AU Southern Africa Regional Office located here in Malawi, the office has the annual total budget of $750 000. Out of this, only $50 000 is allocated to programmes. In other words, the organization is paying $700 000 worth of overheads from the operational budget paid by Member States for $50 000 worth of services and outcomes from the Programme Budget paid by the partners. Clearly this does not make any sense and is not sustainable. This situation is characteristic of the whole budget of the AU and is untenable. In this regard, I would like to appeal for your leadership to the AU’s efforts on concluding the process on alternate sources of funding, as agreed at the May Summit.

Excellencies,

The issues that you will be discussing are central to moving the SADC region, and the continent forward. In this regard, I would like to commend Your Excellencies for your sterling efforts in developing the SADC Vision 2050, which will set the direction and pace for the development of the region.

As you are aware, the AU Commission is leading the development of a continental long-term vision, Agenda 2063. We are currently developing and implementing a roadmap for extensive consultations for inputs from all stakeholders, including RECs. We will therefore work with all the RECs to ensure their visions, including SADC Vision 2050, are fully aligned with Africa Vision Agenda 2063, towards “An integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena”.

Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The region recently had elections in Zimbabwe. Madagascar is scheduled to have its election later this year, and next year elections are due in Malawi, South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. The African Union continuously works with Member States on reform of electoral laws, on strengthening the capacity of Independent Electoral Commissions and we now also try to observe all elections on the continent, including deploying long-term observers where necessary. We do all of this, as partners with Member States so that they achieve their constitutional and electoral law imperatives.

In this regard we congratulate the people of Zimbabwe and Mali for their peaceful and free elections.

We also wish to encourage Madagascar to resolve the outstanding issues standing before the holding of their elections, in line with SADC and AU Roadmap, which we believe will contribute to the long-term stability of that country.

Excellencies,

I wish to congratulate SADC for your relentless pursuit of peace in the region and throughout the continent.

Recent events on the continent have aptly shown the importance of reinforcing our efforts aimed at guaranteeing peace in Africa within the context of the African Peace and Security Architecture. In this regard it is imperative that we expedite the operationalization of this Architecture in all its aspects. As you are aware, the AU May Summit approved the immediate establishment of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC) to enable us respond quickly to crises as an interim measure. Soon after the summit, I addressed letters to all African Heads of State and Government appealing for contributions to the crisis response capacity. It is my hope that you will exercise leadership role in accelerating the creation of this capacity.

Excellencies,

Africa is concerned about the recent and ongoing events in Egypt. We have witnessed and are pained by the escalation of violence and deaths now ravaging that sisterly country. We appeal to all the parties to exercise maximum restraint and engage in dialogue and reconciliation. The African Union Commission has deployed a High Level Panel led by former President Konare to Egypt. A Summit of the African Union Peace and Security Council should be convened as soon as possible to receive a report from President Konare and his team and engage with this matter.

Your Excellencies,

In conclusion, we would like to take this opportunity, once more to thank you for inviting the AU Commission to join you at this Summit. On its part, the Commission will work towards building stronger relations with the SADC Member States and its Secretariat, with a view to implementing all the prioritized projects and programmes-which are aimed at poverty eradication, and regional integration.

We look forward to continued collaboration with you.

I thank you

Message by H.E. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union Commission on the Occasion of World Humanitarian Day-Africa, 19 August 2013

Every year, World Humanitarian Day (WHD), a United Nations General Assembly designated day, is commemorated on the 19th of August to coincide with the day in 2003 when the then Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Iraq, Sérgio Vieira de Mello, and twenty-one of his colleagues were killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad. This day is dedicated to the recognition of humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. It is a day to honor and celebrate those that face danger and difficulty in the service of others, their communities, and their countries.

This year, Africa is celebrating its own during World Humanitarian Day. Today is a continental celebration of Africans helping their fellow Africans, in a myriad of big and small ways, often in difficult and trying situations. Multitudes across the continent are assisting their neighbors, their communities, and their countries at large. We have much to celebrate across the continent.-from organized volunteers that work with national societies, youth leaders who propose creative solutions to the problems facing their communities, communities who mobilize resources to empower themselves in times of disasters and conflicts, individuals who contribute resources, time, and support to those in need around them, and more.

The African Union Commission and the humanitarian community in Addis Ababa will be marking the 2013 WHD under the theme ‘Helping Hands’. Through the 'Helping Hands' Initiative, the African Union Commission and its partners seek to recognize the valiant efforts of African humanitarian heroes and heroines by providing a platform for illuminating their efforts. The campaign will recognize those who have made a difference in their local, national and regional communities.

Helping Hands speaks to the African tradition and humanist philosophy of Ubuntu- that one is because of others, and that responding to distress is not a duty but the natural reaction of human beings. Helping Hands will showcase stories and projects by Africans and the African Diaspora that have made great impact in their communities. It is an opportunity to give Africans the chance to tell their story– not only to raise awareness about the great humanitarian work that they have been doing to uplift communities but also to inspire future generations to emulate innovative and exciting approaches to making a difference.

World Humanitarian Day-Africa should also alert us to the need to work towards a continent that is self-sufficient and built on the capacities, creativity, and collaborative strength of its citizens. The continent is certainly building its capacity at local, national, and regional levels for humanitarian action. Countries that have gone far ahead in this regard are supporting their neighboring countries to boost their capacities and share experiences and tools. Regional bodies are looking at building up teams of local responders as well as creating national emergency response rosters. The IGAD-Kenya Red Cross is a case in point as well as the ECOWAS Emergency Response Teams. The AU Commission looks to increasingly play a significant role in facilitating this collaboration between institutions and Member States-and commits itself to the principle of greater ownership and capacity for Africa’s humanitarian agenda.

Join me today in acknowledging and celebrating all those among us, the many helping hands, on this great continent who are present and active during its times of need and difficult- making a difference and building resilient communities, countries, and continent. Over the next month, you will have the opportunity to see, hear, and experience the stories of our laudable fellow Africans. Celebrate them, emulate them, support them!

Symposium on Climate Change, Pan Africanism and African Renaissance

Statement by H.E. Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace
Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture

16 August 2013, AUC Headquarters, Addis Ababa

Your Excellency, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission

Your Excellences, my fellow Commissioners

Your Excellences, the Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps

Distinguished key-note speaker, Dr. Tewolde-Berhan Gebre-Egziabher, Advisor to the Minister of Environmental Protection and Forests, of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Distinguished experts and panelists

Representatives of development partners

Directors of the various departments of the AU Commission

Ladies and Gentlemen
The staging of this symposium on Climate Change, Pan Africanism and African Renaissance in celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of our continental institution is part of the continuous efforts of the AU Commission to provide fora for discussions on issues that are pertinent for Africa’s development; issues that need to be addressed comprehensively in order for the continent to achieve its vision 2063.

Your Excellences, the choice of the theme for the symposium reflects the seriousness we attach to our collective efforts towards addressing the challenges posed by climate change, and seizing the opportunities offered by the renewed sense of optimism generated by Pan Africanism and African Renaissance on the other.

It has been said many times, and there are a lot of convincing reasons, that climate change and climate variability remain the biggest obstacles to Africa’s development. African economies are predominantly dependent on climate sensitive sectors like agriculture, exposing the continent to food insecurity, poverty and under development.

The impact of climate change presents a serious hurdle to the fight against extreme poverty and disease. In many African countries, climate change could mean more frequent droughts and floods, water scarcity and increased health challenges. These challenges not only make achieving the Millennium Development Goals more difficult, but also threaten to reverse some of the progress already made in combating poverty and disease on the continent.

The symposium will also draw attention to the link between climate change and gender issues, especially its impacts on the advancement of women and youths, who continue to bear the brunt of the problems occasioned by climate change and climate variability.

Pre-existing inequalities among women and men increase the former’s vulnerability to climate change risks and lead to lower levels of adaptive capacity among women. It also compounds gender inequity regarding access to resources and development opportunities. As a result, climate change exacerbates gender inequalities. Gender inequalities also contribute to climate change as more fragile and sensitive ecosystems are exploited to make up for the lack of environment friendly options.

In facing the daunting challenges of addressing climate change and mainstreaming gender dimensions in development efforts, Pan-Africanism provides a ray of hope as it underlines the need for the solidarity of Africans, based on the belief that in this globalized world, unity is vital to attain mutual economic, social, and political progress on the continent. Africa is not a poor continent both in terms of natural resources and human capital. The problem often has been the insufficient level of collaboration between African countries and institutions in taking advantage of their opportunities and addressing their common obstacles.

The current status of knowledge on climate change and level of technical expertise in Africa and in the African Diaspora provides ample optimism for the continent to build, and consolidate its resilience to climate change. Building on the spirit of Pan Africanism would go a long way in addressing the capacity gap as it would enable Africans to share experiences and resources to effectively adapt to climate change.

The concept of African Renaissance on the other hand gives hope and conviction that Africa shall overcome the current economic, social and environmental challenges confronting the continent and achieve sustainable development. Indeed, Africa shall rise to adequately confront the mounting challenges of climate change and overall environmental degradation as witnessed by the level of political awareness and commitment shown by the leadership of the continent, the dynamism of all our stakeholders and the steadfast commitment of our development partners.

This symposium is being organized with the objective of generating continental debate on the implications of climate change for Africa’s sustainable development and the prospects for African Renaissance. As Africans we must build the necessary adaptive capacities not only to safeguard our hard-earned development gains but to continue to build wealth and opportunities for all African citizens’ way into the 21st Century.

I have no doubt that with the caliber of experts and panelists we have this morning; we are assured of an interesting debate.

I would like to thank our distinguished speaker, experts and panelists for agreeing to join us this morning and help us enhance our understanding of the link between climate change, gender, Pan Africanism and African Renaissance.

I would like express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, formerly the Director General of the Ethiopian Environment Protection Authority, and currently Advisor to the Minister of Environment and Forests for accepting to be the Key Note Speaker for this rather challenging topic. I am equally indebted to our experts from the Addis Ababa University, the African Development Bank, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN ECA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and UN Women for accepting our request to serve as experts and panelists for this discussion. We are, indeed, grateful for your presence here.

I look forward to an enlightening lively debate.

I thank you all.

African Young Women: Soaring towards Excellence
Keynote address by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) Africa Regional Conference
Lagos, Nigeria. 12 August 2013

I salute the leadership of the Girl Guides of the World, the Africa region and Nigeria and all you Girl Guides and Scouts

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is such an honour for me to address this gathering of young African leaders and with humility accept the Award for Woman of Outstanding Achievement.

I address you as young African leaders, because even though we say that the youth are our future, we must always and everywhere remind ourselves that we must buid tand invest in that future today. I am very happy to be amongst those who have dedicated their lives to investing in girls

This is particularly true for our beloved continent, since over seventy percent of our population is under the age of 30 years, and the majority are girls and young women. By 2025, one quarter of the world’s young women and men under 25 years will be African.
We are not only blessed with a youthful population, but we also have abandoned natural resources, land; forests and marine resources, fossil and renewable energy as well as mineral resources.
Those of you who are studying or have studied Geography will also agree with me that Africa is large, with a land size of 30,331,532 square kilometres – like a large island, surrounded by two oceans. It can therefore fit on its landmass China, India, the USA, Western Europe and still have space for Japan and a few other countries.
The greatest and our most precious resource we have, however, remains our people. If we therefore want to realize our dream of an Africa that is integrated, people-centred, prosperous and at peace with herself and her environment, we must invest in yourselves - the young girls women, and not forgetting the young men of Africa.

Girl Guides and Scouts, Fellow Africans

Amongst the ethos of the Girls Guides and Girl Scouts is your intergenerational approach to empowerment and leadership development. This is an ethos which the African Union, Your Union, embraces.

As older generations, we can share our experience of life, society and the world, and we are often in positions of authority and power, whether in families, communities or society as goverments.

As adults – whether as mothers, fathers, uncles or aunts; as neighbours, priests, pastors or imams; as teachers, journalists, politicians, artists, writers and musicians; as Guides, Scout leaders and public figures - we all have the duty to mentor, to share experiences, to protect, to provide opportunities and to work for a better life for the next generations.

This not only means providing guidance and sharing our experiences, but it means that we must listen to and engage with the views of young people, We must listen to you and engage you.

Young women and men, on the other hand, have energy, are creative, innovative and impatient and are prone to take risks. An enabling environment for young people to soar to excellence means an environment where energies, creativity, impatience and risk are geared towards positive self, peer, community and societal development.

The early Pan African movements, who helped to liberate our continent from slavery, colonialism and apartheid had in its ranks thousands upon thousands of young women and men, who used their energy and creativity, who were impatient to see change and who often took the ultimate risk, to free their people. As we this year celebrate fifty years since the formation of the Organisation of African Union (OAU) which is now the African Union, we must pay tribute to these early generations of youth.

Today’s generations of young Africans have an equally burdensome responsibility – to add your energy, creativity, your impatience and innovation, and be prepared to take risks – to ensure that our dream of an integrated, people-centred, peaceful and prosperous Africa becomes a reality, in your lifetime.

Girl Guides and Scouts, Ladies and Gentlemen

The African Union therefor has great expectations of the role you should play in helping to shape the future of the continent.

As members of the Girl Guides and Girls Scouts - and indeed all members of youth formations, including your sibling organization the Boys Scouts, young people in social, religious, cultural, educational, environmental clubs and societies - you have taken the first step, to be involved. Involvement in some form of organization from a young age is important to your personal development.

Being involved in organisation helps develop a sense of self-confidence, of being part of a group (other than your family or your schoolmates) and it fosters social and organizational skills. In addition, being part of organization from an early age also makes us aware about society, the world we live in and that we are all interdependent. Like the song we sang earlier today

Organization also teaches us that we can achieve excellence if we work hard and focus. It teaches us that we can and must contribute towards a better society and world - as individuals and through joint action. It teaches us – like the Guides’ Global theme that ‘together we can change our world.’

I therefore salute this 10 million-strong movement of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts and wish the African Region all the best with reaching their target of two million members by 2020.

A second expectation from the African Union is your role in energizing and as a partner in our path towards prosperity. As a Union and Member States of the African Union, as adults and parents of this continent, we know our responsibility in this regard, which is to ensure that you are educated, that your basic needs are met, that you have opportunities to participate in the economy, to express yourself freely and that the rights of girls and young women, are known, protected and defended. Ive heard what your priorities are: ending violence, ending child trafficking. We heard you and we will work with you on these issues, and I heard your request to be an Observer and we should work on a Memorandum of Understanding to give this effect.

This is why the African Union adopted the African Youth Charter in Banjul, in 2006:-
Recognizing (that) youth are partners, assets and a prerequisite for sustainable development and for the peace and prosperity of Africa.

Therefore, when we are talking about priorities such as investing in education, training, science, technology, research and innovation, we need to hear your voices and the contributions you can make.

I spoke earlier of the enormous natural and other resources we have on the continent, but they can only lead to shared prosperity if we have artisans and architects, farmers and pharmacists, miners, botanists, engineers, economists and electricians, doctors, nurses, lawyers, quantity surveyors and midwives, soft-wear engineers, business and entrepreneurs, artists and musicians that will ensure the development of world-class African companies and brands in every single economic sector, whether they are large, small or medium and in every area of human endeavor. That is why we call on all girls and young women to go into all these areas, to have a critical mass, without which Africa cant develop.

We also need young people in the public sector and in civil society, to ensure that our states and government serve the people by playing a truly developmental role and that we build inclusive societies.

Above all, with 60% of unused arable land in the world, you are the next generation that must get involved in agriculture so that Africa can feed itself and the world. Young Africans, especially young women must therefore learn the business of farming, agricultural sciences, the food processing sectors, marketing and logistics, in order to build and grow our agro-businesses and sectors.

In a similar vein, young Africans must be at the forefront of advocating for an integrated Africa, as we saw today girls and young women from so many countries. We can only build shared prosperity when our countries and region trade with each other first, before looking across the seas to import what are basic needs of our continent and import finished products when we export all the raw materials to make such products.

In addition, young Africans must take special interest in plans to integrate the continent through infrastructure. You must be interested, because it should be possible for you in the future to drive or take a speed train from Lagos to Algiers, Cairo and Djibouti, or from Banjul to Dakar, Freetown, Djamina to Juba, Addis Ababa, and Mombasa, or from Tunis to Maputo to Mbabane, to Cape Town and Luanda. You must also be interested whether you will on your journeys have access to fast broad band internet, to reliable electricity, energy and clean water and sanitation, no matter where you are on the African continent.

With rapid urbanization, young Africans also have an interest in the state of our cities and towns, whether they are well-planned, their infrastructure maintained, with green spaces and recreation facilities, bulk infrastructure and adequate housing.

You must also be interested in knowing whether ECOWAS, the African Union and all African countries are making progress with free movement of people and goods, because you want to experience the hospitality, natural beauty and cultures of other countries on your continent. This question is also important to enable young entrepreneurs to explore markets, innovations and form business links beyond the borders of their countries and regions, and help to build African business innovators and leaders.

An important process is the ongoing process of self-definition, who we are, what are our common Pan African values and ethos, and to be proudly African. If you are not proud of who you are, you cannot succeed.

Young people with their energy and innovations have always played an important role in taking our traditions, culture, history and life experiences and representing it in new ways and through new means. Our continent has the fastest growing mobile phone sector in the world, but we must be more than users of technology, we must also make cyberspace our own, through content that is African – in its rich diversity and languages.

Each generation must work for a better world for itself and future generations.

Your generation must therefore be the engine for African integration, peace and prosperity – the fuel and driver of its Renaissance.

Girl Guides, Ladies and Gentlemen

The African Union knows that for us to succeed, we must develop the potential of both men and women. We therefor pay special attention to the empowerment of young women and girls.

For us, the empowerment of girls and young women means making sure that they grow up to have their contributions valued in families, communities and societies, and that they have the space to make informed decisions and choices. Empowering girls and young women means that no-one should tell you that you cannot reach your goals and dreams, simply because you are a girl or a woman .

This means that we advocate, work for and monitor progress in the education of girls and young women in all our countries, encouraging parents to send and keep their girls and boys in schools.

We also engage with girls and boys on the need to value their bodies and to respect each other. We warn against the dangers of teenage pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, and advocate for policies that enable girls to have information and to protect themselves.

We also advocate for our societies to abolish harmful cultural and religious practices – such as child marriages - that infringe on the rights of girls and women. We recently had an AU conference on Maternal and Infant Mortality. Research shows that teenage mothetrs makes up a disproportional part of maternal and infant mortality. We must there
Lets not marry children, let they be children. Women’s rights, the rights otf girls and young women are human righs.

The African Gender Protocol commits the African Union and its Member States to work towards achieving Gender Parity by 2020. We are making progress in education and in the political sphere, but only ten (10) countries have met the interim goal of having 30% women in their parliaments and cabinets. We must congratulate Rwanda, the highest number of women MP’s in the world, as a role model for us.

In other spheres of society – the media, academia, business, religious and cultural institutions, in agriculture, professions and artisanships, in science, ICT and technology – progress is still very slow.

The excuse is often that they can’t find qualified and capable women to fill these positions. We also know that this is not always true – that if women are given a chance, they can make a difference in any organization or institutions – whether in the public or private sectors. Your generation of girls and young women, dear Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, must learn, develop and soar to excellence, so that not a single glass ceiling remains and we achieve our goal of gender parity in all spheres of life by 2020.

It is for this reason – our trust and confidence in the future of Africa – that the African Union decided to embark on the process to develop an agenda for the future – called Agenda 2063.

Through this agenda we want to achieve three things: firstly, to agree on the Africa we want; secondly, to set short and medium term milestones and concrete strategies on how we will get there, and thirdly, to define the role each of us should play to achieve this Agenda.

We therefore invite the Girl Guides and Scouts Association to also make their contributions, which should reach us by the end of October this year.

Girl Guides and Girls Scouts, Ladies and Gentlemen

You are the future of the continent, and you must build that future today. You must be strong, be focused and have confidence to reach your dreams. You must be role models for other girls and young women: in Africa and the world, for current and future generations.

You are Africa’s future – and I am confident that the future looks bright. We shouldn’t just want you to reach where we are, but beyond.

Wishing you fruitful deliberations during this week and looking forward to your inputs on Agenda 2063 and to working with you.

I thank you.