Press Release Nº205 /2013

AUC, UNECA AND AfDB hold the Second Steering Committee meeting on Land Policy Initiative

Addis Ababa-07 November 2013: The second Steering Committee Meeting for the AU-ECA-AfDB Land Policy Initiative (LPI) for 2013 was held at the African Union headquarters on 04 November 2013. The event was jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC); the United Nations for Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The Steering Committee examined progress in implementing previous Committee decisions and the 2013 LPI Work Plan, including fund utilization and commended the LPI Secretariat for vast improvements in the rate of implementation in spite of facing capacity challenges. The Committee lauded efforts to engage with the RECs and member states, noting their important role in advancing the AU agenda on land policy in Africa.

The Steering Committee Meeting reflected on the outcomes and recommendations of an LPI study on the appropriate implementing entity, funding mechanism and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF) for the AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges, providing guidance on key follow-up actions needed. This study was conducted in response to a call by the AU Heads of State and Government Summit held in July 2009, and therefore, relevant recommendations will be presented to the AU Summit upon finalization and examination by relevant authorities/organs.

The Steering Committee Meeting also reflected and deliberated on emerging land issues, challenges as well as global initiatives which are aimed at supporting land governance in Africa. The Committee called for explicit synergies with the AU land policy agenda in order to ensure alignment with Africa’s priorities and commitments on land policy.

The Steering Committee Meeting was attended by members representing AUC, ECA, AfDB, NEPAD Agency, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the Pan African Farmers Organisation (PAFO). It was also attended by observer members from EU, IFAD, FAO and UN-Habitat. The next Steering Committee will take place in March/April 2014.