Events

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA

PRESS CONFERENCE
Shared responsibility and global solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa

Within the framework of the 21st AU summit, falling within the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the OAU-AU, Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union (AU), Dr Amir Aman Minister of State for Health, Mr. Michel Sidibé UN Under- Secretary General and Executive Director of UNAIDS, Ambassador Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS Coordinator and Dr. Mark Dybul, Executive Director Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, will on Sunday, 26 May 2013 at 14h00 hold a press briefing on the following:

- Shared responsibility and global solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa

The briefing will be held in Briefing Room 1, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Journalists are invited to take part in the press briefing.

Contact:
Ms. Yaye N. Sène
Directorate of Information and Communication
E-mail: seney@africa-union.org
Office : +251 115 182 568
Cell : +251 913 45 31 13

PRESS RELEASE N0.36 /21 AU SUMMIT

Former AUC Commission’s Chairperson Dr Jean Ping Awarded Medal for Distinguished Achievements

Addis Ababa, 26th May 2013: During the OAU/AU 50th anniversary celebrations the Former AUC Chairperson Dr Jean Ping was awarded a medal and certificate of appreciation in recognition of his distinguished achievements and excellent contribution to the African Union.

The African Union had an opportunity to acknowledge his selfless service to the African Continent at its 21st summit which was held in Addis Ababa from 19-27 May. Like all the leaders of the African continent, during his term of office, Dr Ping had a responsibility to realize the dream set out by the continent's forefathers of independence years ago, that of a politically and economically united continent .

Dr. Ping believes that the “AU vision is one of a common future, that will ensure the economic well-being, improvement in the quality of life, freedoms, social justice and peace and security for the people of African continent," and “Unity in Africa has a deep historical resonance and It was the goal of the Fathers of independence and has remained the basic aspiration of African citizens across the continent.

Dr .Jean Ping was born on the 24 November 1942 in Omboue (Etimbwe), Gabon. He has PhD in Economic Science from the University of Paris and he holds two honorary doctorates from the Insitute of Diplomacy in China. Dr Ping s worked at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1972, before becoming Gabon’s Ambassador to the institution from 1978 to 1984. He moved on to President Omar Bongo’s cabinet, jumping from one ministerial office to another, with stints at Information, Finance, Mines, and Foreign Affairs, before settling at the latter post in 1999. He was one of President Bongo’s closest and longest-serving ministers and is considered one of the most powerful figures in Gabon. He has also accompanied President Bongo in his mediation efforts to São Tomé, Chad, Central African Republic, and Congo-Kinshasa. He was elected as African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson at an African Union (AU) summit in, Addis Ababa Ethiopia on 1 February 2008 up to 2012

China delivering on pledged grants to the AU

Addis Ababa, 26 May, 2013:The Government of the People’s Republic of China has committed to disburse a grant of 100 million RMB Yuan (about $16.3 million US) aspart of 600 million RMB Yuan (about $98 US) it pledgedto the African Union Commission (AUC) in January 2012. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Wang Yang,and the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Erastus Mwencha, to disburse this 100 million RMB Yuan, as second installment of the pledged amount.

This second installment grant will help the Commission address some of its needs.According to the parties, the MOU will further strengthen the friendly relations between China and the AUthrough economic and technical cooperation.Specific projects will be agreed between the two parties within this portion of the grant.

Ahead of the signing, the AUC Chairperson in a tête-à-têtewith the Chinese Premier highlighted some priority areas of further cooperation. These include, but not limited to: training of young people,agriculture and agro-processing; infrastructure development; mineral resource exploitation; tourism; energy;peace and security.

Agreeing with the AUC Chairperson’s assessment and judgment of priority areas, Premier Wang Yang praised her “insightful and forward looking ideas to transform the continent.”H.E. Wang Yang added that China is also looking forward to increased collaboration and cooperation with the AU on regional and international affairs, given the important role it plays. The two leaders reiterated the need to accelerate setting up a joint-working group to further pursue these areas of cooperation.

The MOU was signed on 24 May 2013 in the sidelines of activities marking the OAU/AU 50th anniversary celebrations and the 21stSummit of the AU.

To witnessing the signing of the MOU, was a Chinese delegation that also included the two Vice Ministers of Commerce; and Agriculture. And on the AUC’s side, was the Chairperson, H.E. Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZumawho was accompanied bythe Commissioner for Peace and Security, Amb. RamtaneLamamra;Chief Advisor to the Chairperson, Amb. Baso Sangqu;,Director of Strategic Planning;Head ofAfrica’s Strategic Partnerships, and Amb. Khadija Rachida Masri and, among others.

It should be recalled that a delegation of the AUC, led by the Chairperson was in China in February this year for a working visit.

AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PROGRAMME OF THE AWARD CEREMONY FOR THE AU KWAME NKRUMAH SCIENTIFIC AWARDS

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a. Statement by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission

b. H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission invites H. E. the Chair of the African Union to give the Prizes of USD 100,000 each on behalf of the assembly to the following Laureates;

1. Prof. Nabil A. Ibrahim from Egypt, the recipient of the Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation Award and

2. Prof. Michael John Wingfield from South Africa, the recipient of the Life and Earth Sciences Award

c. Statement by one of the Laureates (Prof. Michael John Wingfield)

MEDIA ADVISORY

What: Lunch meeting of the AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) Action Committee of Heads of State and Government followed by a press conference

The working luncheonmeeting which will take place on the sidelines of the AU Heads of State and Government Summit will reflect on the progress made in the first year of the implementation of the Roadmap for Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria (2011-2015).It will also examine the guidelines on the implementation of the Roadmap.

When: 26 May 2013, 1300-1400hrs

Where: African Union Conference Canter and Office Complex, Briefing Room 1, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
Why:
Over the past decade African countries with the leadership from African Union have demonstrated strong political commitment by embracing transformative reforms to address AIDS, TB, Malaria and the broader health and development agenda, as well as by building efficient health and community systems. The AU has also framed a compelling vision for the future of the continent and has developed powerful policy frameworks (Abuja Call) that have resulted in tangible improvement in the health sector.

As a result of this strong continental and national leadership, significant gains have been achieved in Africa in reducing the AIDS, TB and malaria disease burden and in reducing the social and economic impact of the three diseases. The annual number of people newly infected with HIV in Africa has been reduced by 25% since 2001, the number of children acquiring HIV infection has declined by 24% between 2009 and 2011 and the number of people who died from AIDS-related causes was 32% lower in 2011 than in 2005.

Since 2001, nearly 13 million people in Africa have been reached with TB treatment. There are also encouraging signs in the effort to prevent new cases of malaria: the burden of malaria in Africa is down by one third, and eight countries have already achieving the targeted reduction of 75% in the incidence of malaria since 2000. Yet progress must be intensified if continentally and internationally-agreed targets are to be met by African countries by 2015 and sustained beyond the millennium.

The African Union Roadmap, adopted in July 2012, is a response to this challenge. Charting a new course for the Continent’s response to AIDS, TB and malaria, the Roadmap lays a path to bolster African leadership, boost local industry, accelerate regional harmonisation and integration, strengthen systems and promote new forms of development cooperation. The Roadmap demonstrates how Africa is leading a wave of sustainable change in the global AIDS, TB and malaria responses, and the broader health and development agenda, on the way towards an AIDS, TB and malaria-free generation.

One year on, the meeting of Heads of State and Government AWA Action committee will reflect on the progress that have been made in implementing the roadmap as we are in the last 1000 days to the MDG mark. The meeting will also review the practical guidelines that have been drawn to accelerate the progress towards the implementation of the roadmap.

Who:
AU Commission Chairperson, H.E Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZuma
UN Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-Moon
H.E Chairperson of AU/ Chairperson of AWA and Prime Minister of Ethiopia,H.EAto Haile Mariam Desalegne
H.E Helen Sirleaf Johnson, President of Liberia
H.E Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique
H.E Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of Federal Republic of Nigeria
H.E Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa
H.E Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs
Executive Director of Global Fund, Dr. Mark Dybul
Ambassador Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS Coordinator, PEPFAR
Mr. Michel Sidibe, UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNAIDS

Journalists are required to be accredited for the 21st Summit of the AU to cover this event. Follow the link http://summits.au.int/en/21stsummit/accreditation to register.

For more information, visit http://www.africa-union.org.

For more information contact

Wynne Musabayana I Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission I Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Tawanda Chisango I AIDS WATCH AFRICA (AWA) Program Advocacy & Partnership Expert | Social Affairs | African Union Commission I Mobile +251934167052 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
About the African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. The AU Vision is that of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

About UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Learn more at: http://www.unaids.org/en/

About The Global Fund
The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organisations to supplement existing efforts in dealing with the three diseases.

The programme is attached