Events

PR NO.25/22ND AU SUMMIT

President Abdel Aziz of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania elected African Union Chairperson

Addis Ababa, 30 January 2014- At the opening ceremony of the African Union’s Assembly of Heads of States and Government, the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was elected as the new Chairperson of the Union. He replaces the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr Hailemariam Dessalegn. The Chairpersonship of the African Union rotates annually.

In his acceptance speech, President Abdel Aziz thanked the Ethiopian government for hosting him and other dignitaries with great warmth and hospitality and commended this as being in the true spirit of African co-operation and development. He emphasised the need for Africa to continue to stand united in its pursuit of development and pointed specifically to the co-operative use of natural resources as a source of strength on the continent.

President Abdel Aziz highlighted the urgency of integrated environmental protection and food security measures. He hailed 2014, the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa, as the opportune time to continue work towards sustainable environmental and agricultural practices. He pointed to the harnessing of the Senegal River’s hydroelectric capacity to generate power across the Senegalese, Malian and Mauritanian borders as an example of the success of inter-governmental development efforts and encouraged nations across the continent to strive to work together for sustainable development. Through the co-operative use of water and land resources specifically, he said, Africa can increase the size and yield of its cultivated land and tackle the issues of food insecurity and hunger.

Effective and innovative development of the energy and agricultural sectors, he said, had the capacity to radically improve the lives of Africa’s diverse citizenry in a number of ways. Transforming the rural economy through modernised irrigation practices as well as transforming the livestock sector will significantly impact economic growth and reduce poverty on the continent. This will, in turn, combat the spread of diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS and improve the general health of Africa’s citizens.

Speaking on issues of peace and security, the new Chairperson congratulated the Democratic Republic of Congo on the signing of a cease fire agreement and was encouraged by the continuing progress towards peace and stability in Tunisia, and the Central African Republic, which recently elected its interim president. President Abdel Aziz underscored the need for African nations to stand in aid of one another during times of conflict and to strengthen Africa’s role and strength in international matters.

Chairperson Abdel Aziz re-iterated that Africa needs continental solutions to continental issues. He affirmed that with the continent’s vast human and natural resources, Africa has the capacity for rapid and sustainable development which can see it become a world leader in environmental innovation and sustainable growth.
LFM/wzm

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Closing ceremony of Executive Council of the African Union

WHAT: Closing ceremony of Executive Council of the African Union

WHEN: Today, 29 January 2014. The final session of the Executive Council is scheduled for 5pm to 7pm and the closing ceremony will take place immediately after that.

WHERE: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Journalists are invited to cover the closing ceremony of Executive Council of the African Union which will take place immediately after the final session that is starting at 5 pm.

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
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Learn more at:
http://www.au.int

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA

PRESS BRIEFING OF AFRICAN COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD (ACERWC)

Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the child (ACERWC), will on Wednesday, 29th January 2014 at 10:30 hold a press briefing on the following issue:

- Launching of Campaign for the Universal Ratification and reporting on the African Committee of on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).

The press briefing will be addressed by the following personalities:

- Justice Alfas CHITAKUNYE, Rapporteur of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child;
- Mme Fatima Delladj-Sebaa, 1st Vice-President of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The press briefing will be held in Briefing Room 1, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Journalist are invited to take part in the press briefing

Media contact

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication
AU Commission
Tel:+251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org

For further information contact

Directorate of information and communication /African union commission/ E- mail: dinfo@africa-union.org /Web site: www.au.int / Addis Ababa / Ethiopia

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Africanunioncommision
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Africanunion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommision

Learn more at:
http://summits.au.int/en/22ndsummit

NVITATION

PRESS BRIEFING OF PRESIDENT PIERRE BUYOYA
AU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR MALI AND THE SAHEL

At the margins of the 22nd AU Summit, President Pierre Buyoya, African Union High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, will on Wednesday 29 January 2014 at 17h00, hold a press briefing in Conference Hall 4 of the new AU Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

During his briefing President Buyoya will address the following issues:

- The establishment of the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL)
- Achievements of MISAHEL
- Overview of security challenges in the Sahel region
- Priorities in 2014

Journalists are invited to take part in the press briefing.

Contacts
Ms Lulit Kebede
Communication Officer
Peace and Security Department
Tel: +251 91 121 1183
E-mail: lulitk@africa-union.org

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication
AU Commission
Tel: +251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org

Ms Yaye Nabo Sène
Communication Officer
AU Mission to Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL)
Tel : +223 20 22 18 22 - Ext 149
Cell: +223 75 94 12 70
E-mail: seney@africa-union.org
epsilone10@gmail.com

MEDIA ADVISORY

LAUNCH OF JOINT NEPAD-AUC PUBLICATION ON AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA

WHAT: Media is invited to attend the official launch of the AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA publication by the AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture Mrs Tumusiime Rhoda Peace and NEPAD Chief Executive Officer Dr Ibrahim Mayaki.
DATE: Wednesday January 29, 2014
TIME: 14:30
WHERE: Press Briefing Room 1 on the ground floor
BACKGROUND: The Publication is a state of the art, defining the key priorities and opportunities to advance agriculture. It is developed within the context of sustaining the CAADP momentum and especially to inform decisions on key issues that will drive agriculture into to the next decade and beyond. It reflects debate and consultations going on with regard to two key themes, Agenda 2063 and Post 2015 Agenda.
For more details contact:
Maureen Nkandu – Head of NEPAD Communications
Phone: +251 927348384
Email: maureenn@nepad.org