Moscow, Russia – 21 April 2016: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, met with African Ambassadors accredited to the Russian Federation in Moscow, during her second official visit to Russia, during which she held a dialogue with the Foreign Affairs Minister, Sergey Lavrov. The AU Commission Chairperson briefed them on the state of affairs at the Commission, the situation of peace and security on the continent, as well as on her discussions with Minister Lavrov.

Much attention was focused on Agenda 2063, on the consultation process that culminated in its adaption, including the 10-year implementation plan and the flagship projects. While highlighting the enormous prospects that Agenda 2063 presents to accelerate continental peace, integration and prosperity, she equally emphasized the challenges that must be overcome.

One of the challenges raised was the acute shortage of skilled human resources to drive the continent’s transformation agenda. “About 90% of our graduates are in the Arts, not in the science and technology area,” the Chairperson said, citing findings of a study conducted by the Africa Capacity Building Foundation to identify the skills gap on the continent.

She challenged the Ambassadors to join the skills revolution, by creating and facilitating possibilities of African students across various areas of science, technology and engineering.

The Ambassadors welcomed the challenge, assuring the Chairperson that the MoU signed with the Russia encourages and empowers them more to continue doing that which they were already doing.

“We will speak for Africa, and speak with authority,” the Deputy Dean of the African Ambassadors Group and Cameroon’s Ambassador to Russia, Amb. Mahamat Paba Salé, said. They also expressed their joy in the meeting and discussions with the Chairperson, throwing their support to her leadership.

Media Contact:
Jacob Enoh Eben, Spokesperson of the Chairperson, African Union Commission; +251 911 201 632; +251 934 996 893; E-mail EnohebenJ@africa-union.org