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Remarks by Ms. Shumbana Karume on the occasion of the Opening of BRIDGE Training in Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania on Voter Registration

Remarks by Ms. Shumbana Karume on the occasion of the Opening of BRIDGE Training in Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania on Voter Registration
21 – 25 July 2014

Distinguished Chairperson, National Electoral Commission, Hon Justice (Rtd) Damian Lubuva,
BRIDGE Facilitators,
Colleagues from the Africa Union and the Media,
Participants,
Good morning!
Let me first of all welcome all of you on behalf of the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi who would have liked to be here to open this training herself, but for her busy schedule.
I am obviously happy to be here today in Dar Es Salaam to open this BRIDGE Training, the second in the United Republic of Tanzania, after a similar training in Zanzibar on Gender and Elections which was held from 7 to 11 July. Today, we are here to open yet training on Voter Registration.
Distinguished Guests and Participants!
The importance of voter registration in an electoral process cannot be over emphasized. Putting the right legal framework and building the necessary capacity to deliver an accurate voter register is always an asset to organizing peaceful elections. Over the years, in most African countries, one of the major challenges that keep recurring during elections has been imperfect nature voter registration processes and the ensuing unfair voter registers that in some cases tend to disenfranchise voters.
Therefore a good investment in voter registration such as this BRIDGE Training is always necessary. It is based on this assumption that the Africa Union Commission, through the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit is proud to organize this training in collaboration with the National Electoral Commission
In relation to voter registration system, it is the objective of the African Union
Commission to contribute to their design and implementation to ensure that their outcomes are devoid of controversies and have contributed contentious electoral outcomes in several Africa countries. It is our hope that this training will contribute the capacity of the National Electoral Commission to come out with a voter register that enhances voter participation and in effective on the Election Day come 2015.
Distinguished Guests and Participants!
To ensure that EMBs all over the continent have enhanced capacity to manage elections, the African Union Commission now lays a lot of emphasis on technical assistance. Therefore, for the year 2014, the Africa Union Commission has already provided BRIDGE Trainings for the EMBs of Burkina Faso and Madagascar. The United Republic of Tanzania is the third country this year to benefit from this form of technical assistance. Other countries expected to benefit from Africa Union assistance this year include Guinea, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Central Africa Republic, Comores, and Tunisia.
As I stated during the opening of the BRIDGE training on Gender and Elections in Zanzibar, this BRIDGE training on Voter Registration for the NEC marks the beginning of a series of engagements by the African Union Commission to support the ongoing electoral process in the United Republic of Tanzania in preparation for elections in 2015.
To be specific, the BRIDGE Trainings are expected to be followed by the introduction of a project on electoral risk management which is intended to assist the National Electoral Commissions and the Zanzibar Electoral Commission to promote peaceful election before, during and after. Discussions have already begun with the Zanzibar Electoral Commission and the National Electoral Commission on this project.
The next commitment of the Africa Union Commission to the electoral process in the United Republic of Tanzania will be the deployment of long term observers. We also have a Follow-up program through which we work with Elections Management Bodies (EMBs) to implement recommendations emanating from the work of Africa Union Election Observation Missions. The Follow-up program is to ensure that the work of Africa Union Commission in electoral processes in Member States does not end with elections observation but there is an effort to ensure that recommendations offered during elections observation are implemented to bring about improvements in subsequent elections.
Distinguished Guests and Participants!
The National BRIDGE Training, as it is known, forms part of the Technical assistance of the Africa Union Commission to Elections management bodies in Africa. Since its inception, over 20 Member States have benefitted from it. The objective of the national BRIDGE Training is to deliver on the mandate of the Africa Union to enhance the capacity of EMBs to organize credible elections. Building the capacity of EMBs either before or after an election is clear demonstration of the commitment of the Africa Union Commission go beyond elections observation missions to ensure that Member States’ Election Management Bodies retain the necessary capacity to organize credible elections and hence support democratic consolidation on the continent.
Let me also add that assistance provided by the Africa Union Commission on electoral process is not limited to only BRIDGE Trainings. The second aspect of technical assistance to EMBs includes the provision of experts to work with EMBs as part of preparation for elections. Under this programme an EMB can request the assistance from the Africa Union Commission for the services of a consultant to provide expertise for a critical aspect of the elections, for example in the area of Information Technology.
Distinguished Guests and Participants!
In the five days, I hope our team of facilitators will take us through all the essentials topics on Voter registration and I hope that they will meet your expectation. I want to encourage all participants to put in their best and share experiences to enrich the training since all of you bring on board years of experiences.
As I conclude my remarks, I would like to urge you to show great commitment and participate fully in this training. I look forward to a great and wonderful training these next five days. Let me end by saying that the Africa Union through DEAU will be ready to support you any time it becomes necessary and that this training is just the beginning of many such capacity trainings to come.
Ashanteni Sana!

Dates: 
July 21, 2014
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Opening statement of HE Rhoda Peace Tumusiime at the First Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Project “Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources”

The First Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Project “Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources”

Opening statement of HE Rhoda Peace Tumusiime
Commissioner Rural Economy and Agriculture
African Union Commission
17 July 2014 Nairobi, Kenya
 
The Representative of the European Union
Director, Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources
Representatives of Partnering Institutions
Members of the Genetic Project Steering Committee
Representatives of AU Member States
Representatives of Regional Economic Communities
Representatives of Animal Breeders Associations
Members of Staff of the African Union Commission/and AU-IBAR
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am pleased to welcome you all to this FirstMeeting of the Steering Committee of the project “Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources” in short The Animal Genetic project.
Ladies and Gentlemen
You will agree with me that the agricultural biodiversity contained in the world’s domesticated livestock is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. This is a real concern especially in Africa where livestock is key to food security and livelihoods of millions of small holders farmers,
Indigenous livestock breeds are under various types of threat. Breeding programmes, by Governments, non-Government organizations, and the private sector, have for a long time favored the use of exotic breeds for crossbreeding, upgrading, or replacement. These programmes have most of the time been implemented without strategic thinking and long term view, and were only motivated by the objective of rapid productivity gain. This has led to the dilution of indigenous genotypes, or even to their complete extinction.
Sustainable utilization of animal genetic diversity that includes conservation is a global issue, as all countries benefit from the use and development of domestic animals and their many products. Over time, it will enable African countries and their farmers to better respond to changing environmental conditions and consumer preferences, to pursue new economic opportunities and to reduce their vulnerability. Conservation of animal genetic diversity will offer opportunities to utilize its diversity to meet present and future market demands, to serve as an insurance against environmental changes such as changes in production, socio-economic, and cultural conditions.
It is based on the above that the EU signed a contribution agreement with the AU in July last year for 5 years to strengthen the capacity of AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities to sustainably utilize and conserve African animal genetic resources through institutionalizing national and regional policy, legal and technical instruments within the framework of the Comprehensive Africa Agrculture Development Programme (CAADP).
As we celebrate 2014 as the year of agriculture and food security, the African Union joint conference of ministers of agriculture, rural development , fisheries and aquaculture held in Addis Ababa in May this year recommended the
conservation and development of livestock breeds that can withstand and adapt to harsh climate conditions, including use of the indigenous genetic resources; as you can see this project is fully in line with these recommendations that were, in turn, endorsed by the last Summit of the AU Heads of State and Government. The Commission o fthe African Unon is required report to the AU policy organs on its implementation.
As part of the project management, a Steering Committee is established to provide guidance to the project team; The First Meeting of the Steering Committee will validate its TORs and assess the progress over one year.
Let me take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the European Union for its continued support to the livestock sector in Africa and also for support in other important sectors. As the African Union, we will always appreciate the European Union financial backing and ensure that this support is translated into improved livelihoods for the citizens of the African continent. This shows we are partners in development.

I wish you all an inspiring, productive and enjoyable meeting.

I now wish to officially declare the meeting formally open and we can move into discussions.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Dates: 
July 17, 2014
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English

Statement by the Chairperson of the AU Commission H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the Seventh Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Integration (COMAI VII)

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AU COMMISSION H.E. DR. NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA

AT THE SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF AFRICAN MINISTERS IN CHARGE OF INTEGRATION (COMAI VII)

MINISTERIAL MEETING
17-18 July 2014

EZULWINI, KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND

 
Representative of His Majesty, His Excellency, the Right Honourable Dr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Paul Dlamini
Honourable Ministers and Leaders of Delegations
Chief Executives of Regional Economic Communities,
Excellencies, Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Dr. Anthony Maruping and Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Elham Ibrahim
Leadership of both Houses of Parliament of the Kingdom Swaziland
Representatives from the UNECA, the ADB and the Nepad Agency
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Officials from Capitals, the RECs and the AU Commission
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be with you in this beautiful town of Ezulwini, Swaziland and to welcome you to the Seventh Conference of the African Ministers in Charge of Integration (COMAI VII).

We thank His Majesty’s, his Government and the People of the Kingdom of Swaziland for the hospitality and excellent arrangements and facilities accorded to the Conference and delegations. It is always a great pleasure to come back to Swaziland, where I spent five of my youthful years at the Mbabane Public Hospital as a doctor. Two of my daughters were born here, so it feels like coming home.

Your Excellencies,
This 7th Conference of Ministers in Charge of Integration focuses on the theme of ‘Regional integration through infrastructure development.”
During the yearlong Golden Jubilee celebrations of OAU/AU last year, Africa looked at the past, the present and planned for the future. Through consultations with Africans from different walks of life, young and old, men and women, rural and urban, workers and professionals, business persons, academics and artists, we developed our vision for the future, which we call, Agenda 2063. The Africa we Want.
They related their aspirations, that they want an Africa that is integrated and prosperous; peaceful, democratic and inspired by the values of Pan Africanism; an Africa that takes her rightful place in the world. Agenda 2063 is not only about aspirations, it is about bringing together into one framework our continental, regional and national plans. It also sets out milestones which we must achieve in the first five years, the first decade, by 2025, 2037, 2050 up to 2063.
The Malabo AU Summit agreed to allow more time for further consultations in Member states, the RECs, and inputs from broader society, to be submitted in writing by the end of October this year and by January we will adopt the framework and the first ten year plan.
It gives this important sector of Ministers in Charge of Integration a further opportunity to make an input into this framework, as has many other sectoral meetings of Ministers.
Excellencies,
Building on the lessons and experiences of the fifty years since the formation of the OAU, we know that the unity and integration of the continent and the development of its infrastructure remains key to constructing an Africa that is peaceful and prosperous.
At national levels, infrastructure such as energy, transport, ICT and infrastructure to expand access to basic services such as sanitation and water, health and educational facilities, are the important hardware for development and a better life for all our citizens. At regional and continental levels, through the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and the Infrastructure Master-plans of the RECs, we seek to connect African capitals and commercial centres through road, rail and ICT, to power our economies and communities through energy projects, including renewable and fossil fuel energy, and to increase agricultural production through irrigation projects, building storage facilities, distribution infrastructure and markets.
Infrastructure are the hardware without which economic and social development, industrialization, agriculture and intra-Africa trade on the continent will remain very slow. We therefore have to address the constraints - such as project development and implementation capacity and skills, financing, and the cross-border coordination issues that hamper the implementation of PIDA priority projects.
The software are equally important, especially the need for investments in our people, as our most precious resources: in their education, access to basic services and health. Our development will be continue to be at half-pace if we also do not empower women to play an important part in the social, political and economic affairs of our societies.
In the same vein, we must make full use of the fact that we are a youthful continent. We therefore talk about an education and skills revolution, especially in science, technology, research and innovation, to ensure that we educate, train and empower millions of young people in high and medium level skills, to enable us to develop, build and maintain the infrastructure we need, to beneficiate our natural resources, to build agribusinesses and to industrialize.
To effect this education and skills revolution, we must act at national level, but we must also work together at regional and continental levels; by strengthening and harmonizing our university, technical and professional training, so that qualifications are recognized across the continent, to build centres of excellence and share critical skills.
Technology also allows us to leapfrog development, and with the advances in ICT, we are exploring e-learning with universities and industry, to enable us to massively increase access to further and higher education.
The other software issues are the integration actions on which we will receive reports today. We have amongst other things undertaken to launch the Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, a target that is now less than three years away; we have projects in some RECs to harmonise financial regulations and practices; in others we cooperate around border and customs issues and deal with non-tariff barriers that make the flow of goods, services and persons difficult.
We must however agree, that given the competitive advantages of the continent (especially our human and natural resources) and the need to claim our proper stake of global trade and production, the pace of African integration is very slow. Indeed we hope the discussions at this Conference, will give us ideas as to how concretely to accelerate integration.
The benefits and synergies of integration are no doubt well-known to us all, including larger markets. An economy of 50 million can easily be ignored, but an integrated economy of over two billion people, will be difficult to ignore. Integration therefore remains at the core of the Pan African vision and of the mission of the African Union.
Your Excellencies
It is for these reasons that Integration is seen as a critical enabler of Agenda 2063, and Agenda 2063 as a driver for continental integration.
The just-concluded AU Summit in Malabo noted the aspirations of our people that emerged from the consultations we held with different sectors, including the RECs and different Ministerial meetings. In addition, it noted that Agenda 2063 encapsulates our various continental, regional and national plans and frameworks into a coherent whole.
More importantly, it urged all of us, to ensure that we prioritise those actions that will in the coming decade move our countries, regions and Africa towards the critical tipping point, where transformation becomes real and irreversible.
In the Agenda 2063 popular version, a number of such priority actions are identified, including the critical issues of skills and infrastructure we spoke about earlier, but also the free movement of people and goods, including consideration of an African passport.
The call to action also talks about flagship projects such as the development of a Pan African integrated high speed rail network, that will not only link all our capitals and commercial centres, but also provide an important boost for research, development and technology transfer, skills development, manufacturing and to intra-Africa trade and tourism.
We will have a session later when we will discuss in further detail Agenda 2063 and our Post 2015 Common African Position. These contain Africa’s vision and aspirations for itself. It goes without saying, that unless we take responsibility for ensuring that this vision is realize, no-one else will. This includes the issue of domestic resource mobilisation to finance African development.
One of the bitter lessons from the last fifty years is that we cannot continue to develop visions and frameworks, and then expect others to take responsibility for financing our development and institutions.
Long time ago, our founding fathers and mothers, said that we have to be self-reliant, and that donor money, no matter how important and appreciated, cannot be the mainstay of African development. That is still true today.
We have the opportunity to do things differently: to be confident that our peoples’ aspirations and the dream of an Africa that is integrated, peaceful and prosperous is achievable, provided that we construct this future based on actions taken now. We all must play our part, as Member states, Regional Economic Communities and continental institutions
On that note, may I thank all of you for attending this important Conference and wish the 7th COMAI fruitful deliberations.
Thank you for your kind attention.

Dates: 
July 17, 2014
File: 
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English

Report f the 5th Meeting of AU Sub-Committee of DGs of Customs, Cotonou, Benin

5th ORDINARY MEETING OF THE AU SUB-COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS GENERAL OF CUSTOMS

12 – 13 September 2013
Cotonou
Benin Doc. CCD/5.AUSC.DG/R1
Original. English

REPORT

REPORT OF THE 5TH ORDINARY MEETING OF THE AFRICAN UNION
SUB-COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS GENERAL OF CUSTOMS
12-13 SEPTEMBER 2013, COTONOU, BENIN

Introduction

1. The 5th Ordinary Meeting of the African Union Sub-Committee of Directors General of Customs was held from 12 to 13 September 2013 at the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin. The theme of the meeting was ‘Towards a Trade Facilitation Strategy for the Continental Free Trade Area’.

Participation
2. The following Member States attended the meeting: Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The Regional Economic Communities and International organizations present were CES-SAD, COMESA,EAC, ECOWAS, FEWACCI,IOM, SADC, UNECA, WCO-ROCB ESA, CCES and WCO. List of participants is attached as Annex I.

Agenda Item 1: Opening of the Meeting

3. The Director General of Benin Customs and Excise, Colonel Paul Lafia Tabe welcomed his counterparts to Cotonou, Benin, the venue of the 5th Ordinary Session of the AUSCDG of Customs. He expressed his gratitude to H. E. Dr. Thomas Boni YAYI, the President of the Republic of Benin for his support in hosting the meeting.

4. In his remarks, the Director General bemoaned the low level of intra African Trade, which currently is estimated to be 12 %, a figure which is far low compared to other regions of the world. He concluded his remarks by recalling the Theme of the WCO for 2012, ‘Borders Separates, Customs Unites’ and urged Africa’s Customs Administrations to work hand and glove with trade so as to support Africa’s Regional Integration Agenda and establishment of a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).

5. The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, expressed his gratitude to the African Union Commission for inviting him to the 5th Ordinary Session of the AUSCDGC, and the Government and People of Benin for hosting the meeting. He pointed that the Theme of the meeting also reflects a shared vision of the WCO, and that Customs administrations world over are the engines of Trade Facilitation who play a very important role in the movement of people and goods across national borders.

6. Mr. Mikuriya highlighted the 2014-2017 WCO Strategy and how Customs can use some of the provisions therein such as the Economic Competitiveness Package, the Data Model and the RKC to improve the efficiency of the Customs Administrations. He reiterated the commitment of the WCO to support AU’s programmes in the area of Customs reforms and modernization and concluded by urging the Directors General of Customs to exchange ideas and share their experiences so as to come with sound ideas in support of the envisaged CFTA.

7. In her opening remarks, Her Excellency, Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, Commissioner for the Department of Trade and Industry at the African Union Commission thanked the Government and People of Benin for hosting the meeting. H.E. Commissioner Acyl recalled the Decision of the AU Heads of State and Government during the 18th Ordinary Session of their Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2012 to Boost Intra African Trade and Establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, as an indicative date. She also pointed that work is already ongoing and various structures of the Architecture are being put in place and to the realization of the Decision requires commitment of all stakeholders, especially from the AUSCDGC.

8. H.E. Commissioner Acyl pointed that trade facilitation is important for Africa to realize its position in the global arena, but also faces a lot of challenges in the process. Such challenges vary from existence of poor and, at times obsolete telecommunications services, poor physical infrastructure and that almost one third of African Countries do not have access to oceans or seas to facilitate movement of their goods to overseas markets. She concluded by sharing with the Directors General the African Group’s position on the WTO Trade Facilitation Negotiations and the Round scheduled for Bali, Indonesia towards the end of 2013.

9. Her speech is attached as Annex II to this Report

10. The Minister of State, H.E. Francois Abiola on behalf of H.E. Dr. Thomas Boni YAYI, the President of the Republic of Benin welcomed the Directors General to Cotonou and wished them a pleasant stay. He thanked the Commission of the African Union for having chosen Cotonou as the venue of the 5th Ordinary Session of the AUSCDGC and also for the work done since the Decision to fast track the establishment of the CFTA was taken.

11. H.E. Francois Abiola highlighted on Africa’s low trade levels and urged the meeting to come up with sound decisions on the removal of Non-Tariff Barriers so as to facilitate legitimate trade. He also pointed on some of the challenges encountered in the movement of goods across national borders, which range from the existence of poor physical infrastructure to unethical behavior by some border officials, and the need to address them. H.E. the Minister of State concluded his opening remarks by urging the Directors General to come up with policies that also promote small scale traders, especially women and thereafter, he declared the meeting officially open.

Agenda Item 2 : Election of the Bureau

12. The Bureau of the meeting was constituted as follows:-

• Chair - Benin
• Vice Chair - South Africa
• Rapporteur - Cameroon
Friends of the Chair
• WCO West/Central Region Nigeria
• WCO East/Southern Region Malawi
• WCO Northern Region Algeria

Agenda Item 3 : Adoption of the Agenda and Organization of Work

13. The agenda was adopted without amendment and is attached as Annex III.

14. The meeting adopted the following as its working schedule as suggested by the Commission:-

• Morning: 09.00 – 13.00
• Afternoon: 14.30 – 18.00

Agenda Item 4 : Presentation of the Benin Customs and Excise

15. In their presentation, the representatives of Benin Customs and Excise underscored the important role that Customs play in the overall economy of Benin. They elaborated the various milestones that the Customs achievements through its reform and modernization program such the introduction of ASYCUDA ++. The presentation also highlighted the Single window System that enables traders to accomplish clearance formalities electronically. In addition to the introduction of the single window, the meeting was informed that Benin Customs has also established a risk management system and Valuation data base, revised the customs code, introduction of pre-clearance controls and post clearance audit.

16. These reforms have yielded considerable benefits notably the reduction in clearance time, simplification of clearance procedures which have led to the overall increase in Customs revenue. This has also improved relations between Customs and other stakeholders in the logistics chain.

17. In the discussions that ensued the meeting demonstrated interest on the issues covered by the presentation especially, the single window, the valuation certification system and the use of scanners to ameliorate customs controls.

Agenda Item 5: Consideration of the Report of the Customs Experts Meeting

18. The Chairperson of the Meeting of Experts presented the Report of their Meeting. In the discussions that ensued, the Directors General raised the following issues;

i. There is need to seek clarification from the High Level African Trade Committee on the mandate of the Customs Technical Committee under the continental free trade area Architecture vis-à-vis the continued existence of the Meeting of AU Sub-Committee of the Directors General of Customs;

ii. While Customs Administrations have a role to play on the development and negotiation of rules of origin, in most countries this is a responsibility of Ministries of Trade;

iii. Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between some African countries and the European Union are threatening regional integration programmes in African countries.

19. Thereafter, the Directors General made the recommendations which are attached as Annex IV.

Agenda Item 6: Exchange of views on The Trade Facilitation Strategy for
Boosting Intra -African Trade (BIAT) and Establishment of a
Continental Free Trade Area

20. The Director General of Swaziland Revenue Authority made a presentation on a proposal for the development of a common Single Window system for Africa. The Directors General considered the proposal and made the following observations:

I. The WCO has already developed a comprehensive package from which Customs Administrations can borrow from

II. Single Window systems world over are complex and diverse and it may be difficult to have a ‘one size fits all approach’

III. Member States are at different levels on the development and implementation of Single Window systems, and as such, the proposal could be a challenge to some countries to embrace

IV. Some countries lack capacity to implement the proposed measures and may require some assistance in this regard

V. The approach to the implementation of Single Window System may vary from one country to the other; some would wish to engage the private sector through PPPs, while for others, the respective Governments would want to own it

21. The Directors General recommended that the Experts meeting should examine the proposal for the development of a common single window system for African taking into consideration the WCO Single Window Compendium and best practices from countries that have already implemented such systems, and report to the 6th meeting of the Directors General of Customs.

22. With regards to the discussions on the proposed CFTA, the Directors General noted that it will be important to carry out studies at the national and regional levels as may be appropriate to assess the impact of the CFTA on customs revenues, the establishment of a compensation fund for revenue loss and other issues related to rules of origin and competitiveness.

23. The Directors General then recommended that the AUC in collaboration with UNECA should commission an impact study in the establishment of the CFTA in order to provide Member States with a good base for engagement in the negotiations.

Agenda Item 7: Date and Venue of the 6th Ordinary Meeting of the African
Union Sub-Committee of the Directors General of Customs

24. The 6th Ordinary Session of the AUSCDGC will be held in 2014 in Congo Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Agenda Item 8: Any Other Business

25. No issues were raised under this agenda item

Agenda Item 9: Approval of the Record, the Recommendations and the
Framework of Action for the year 2013-2014

26. The report and recommendations were adopted as amended

Agenda Item 10: Vote of Thanks

27. A representative of the Togo delegation delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the Directors General of Customs. He thanked the Government and People of Benin for hosting their 5th Ordinary Session.

Agenda Item 11: Closing Ceremony

28. The Director General for Benin Customs and Excise thanked the African Union Commission for having chosen Benin as the host of the meeting. He also expressed his gratitude to the Secretary General of the WCO, the RECs and international organizations for having been able to attend the meeting. He wished his counterparts safe journeys to respective countries.

29. In his closing remarks, the Secretary General of the WCO expressed satisfaction in the manner the meeting was held. He urged the Directors General to take advantage of the various WCO tools and practices available to support the establishment of the CFTA.

30. The Head of Customs Cooperation division of the African Union Commission thanked the hosts for the sound preparations done to enable hosting the meeting. He also thanked the Directors General for having been able to attend the meeting, and for the high quality of their contributions. He informed the Directors General that the recommendations of their meeting were going to be submitted to the 8th Conference Ministers of Trade scheduled to be held at the Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in October 2013.

30. The Minister of State of Benin Government thanked the Experts, the Directors General, AUC and staff from Benin Customs and Excise for the various roles they played to make the meeting a success. He complimented the Directors General for the high quality of their work and had no doubt that the recommendations made would be acceptable to the Policy Organs of the African Union.

31. The Minister of State recalled the role played by Customs Administrations in both collecting revenue for respective Governments and the need to facilitate legitimate trade. He congratulated the Republic of Congo for having been chosen as the host of the 6th Ordinary Session of the Directors General of Customs, before formally closing the meeting.

ANNEX IV

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 5TH MEETING OF THE AFRICAN UNION
SUB-COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS GENERAL OF CUSTOMS

On the activities of the Customs Cooperation Division of the African Union Commission

I. That AU Member States are urged to consider seconding Customs Attaches to the Customs Cooperation Division through their respective Diplomatic representations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AUC should within 3 months provide Member States with information for secondment and skills set required for areas requiring support;

II. That the AU is urged to maintain the AU Sub-committee of Directors General of Customs despite the endorsement of a Customs Technical Committee under the CFTA architecture;

III. That the AUC is urged to take action in regard to the official recognition of the AUC-ECA-AfDB Sub-Committee on Customs Cooperation;

IV. That the AU Commission is urged to initiate the process of developing the draft Protocol on Customs Cooperation in accordance with Article 39 of the Abuja Treaty.

On the interconnectivity of Computerized Customs Information Systems

I. That the Directors General endorse the Road Map and Strategy for the continental Interconnectivity of Computerized Customs Information Systems in Africa;

II. That Member States in collaboration with the RECs are encouraged to put in place the necessary legal framework and other arrangements for the interconnection of their computerized Customs Information Systems to facilitate exchange of data;

III. That Member States in collaboration with the RECs are urged to harmonize their data on the basis of the WCO Data Model in order to facilitate electronic exchange of information.

On the outsourcing of core Customs functions

That Member States are encouraged to provide Customs Administrations with the necessary resources to enable them acquire the appropriate capacity in view of gradually phasing out intervention of pre-shipment inspection companies and other similar private operators in core Customs functions.

On Rules of Origin

I. That the Technical Working Group should continue its work on Rules of Origin especially in relation to the proposed Draft Framework on Rules of Origin for the CFTA and the Matrix on Road Map for Rules of Origin Negotiations;

II. That in the forthcoming TFTA negotiations on Rules of Origin, due consideration should be given to the draft negotiating text proposed by the African Union Technical Working Group on Rules of Origin.

On the Revised Kyoto Convention

I. That when drafting CFTA negotiating texts at the continental level, the RKC provisions could be included in the texts such that any Party that would have agreed / signed the texts will be bound to implement the elements of the RKC;

II. That Regional Economic Communities are urged to formulate their legislation on the principles of the RKC to facilitate accession by Member States;

III. That the AUC and the RECs in collaboration with the WCO endeavor to promote the advantages linked to accession and the implementation of the RKC at the country level;

IV. That Members States are encouraged to accede to the 10 Specific Annexes in addition to the General Annex;

V. That Member States are urged carry out self-assessment of their national legislation in comparison with the RKC, where necessary with technical assistance from the WCO;

VI. That Member States are encouraged to put in place change management policies where they do not exist to support implementation of the RKC;

VII. That Customs Administrations are encouraged to lobby other relevant national institutions on the need to fast track pending national processes for accession to the Convention;

VIII. That Members States are encouraged to utilise the RKC toolkit developed by the WCO and to continue to work with the WCO on the development of other RKC tools to facilitate implementation of the RKC.

On Coordinated Border Management

I. That the AU Commission, with the assistance of RECs and technical partners, should develop a continental policy framework, on Coordinated Border Management and submit for adoption by the Policy Organs of the Union;

II. That Member States are urged to consider raising awareness and pursuing strategies to formulate clear national policies on Coordinated Border Management in Member States and institutionalize such practices in the African Union drawing inspiration from regional policies on CBM;

III. That the AUC should organise multi-sectoral workshops at national, regional and continental levels with a view to building the capacity of institutions as well as enhancing their coordination mechanisms;

IV. That AU Member States are urged to consider using the WCO Project Map Database to facilitate donor agency interventions in CBM efforts in order to avoid duplication and ensure efficient utilization of resources in line with the Paris, Busan and Accra Declarations on aid effectiveness.

On the Implementation Matrix for the CFTA

That the AUC should take all necessary steps to ensure continued collaboration with the RECs to ensure their full participation into the CFTA process.

On International Trade Agreements Issues

I. That Customs Administrations are urged to continue to engage effectively on trade facilitation aspects of the WTO Negotiations in collaboration with Ministries of Trade and the Geneva based African Group;

II. That Customs Administrations are urged to support the African position on the necessity of equally binding provisions on technical / financial assistance and capacity building.

On other matters

That the AUC is urged to prepare a draft proposal to review the Rules of procedure of the Sub-Committee of Directors General of Customs with a view to institutionalizing the meeting of Experts proceeding the session of the Sub-Committee.

English

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