Events

Highlights of meetings of the AUC Chairperson during the 68th UNGA, New York, USA, 25 September, 2013 - Meeting the British MP for Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, H.E. Mark Simmonds, on 25 September 2013 in the sidelines of the 68th UN General Assembly Meeting in New York.

H.E. Mark Simmonds hailed the work done by the Chairperson within a year of her leadership at the AUC, and pledged continued support and collaboration in an atmosphere of mutual respect. They discussed the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals and the AU’s Agenda 2063. They also discussed the Nairobi terrorist attack, urgent action in the Central African Republic and British continued support to Somalia as well as Sudan and South Sudan.

Highlights of meetings of the AUC Chairperson during the 68th UNGA, New York, USA, 25 September, 2013 - Status Updates with UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, H.E. Christopher Ross met on 25 September 2013 in the margins of the 68th UN General Assembly Meeting.

The meeting followed an earlier meeting between the AUC Chairperson, Dr. Dlamini Zuma and UN Secretary-General H.E. Ban Ki-moon during which Western Sahara was raised, with the AU expressed interest in seeing the matter being resolved once and for all.

H.E. Christopher Ross briefed Dr. Dlamini Zuma on the status of the 38-year old conflict, highlighting other issues such as human rights abuse and mutual violation of agreements. He expressed the need for the profile of the case to be raised even further. Consultations will continue following the UN’s call for a political solution.

Highlights of meetings of the AUC Chairperson during the 68th UNGA, New York, USA, 25 September, 2013 - Meeting with the President of Tunisia

The AUC Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, met with the President of the Republic of Tunisia, H.E. Mohamen Moncef Marzouki, on 25 September 2013, in the sidelines of the 68th United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

The two leaders discussed issues of interest on the continent, notably Central African Republic, Egypt, Mali and Kenya. The Tunisian President offered a contribution to alleviate the suffering of the population in the humanitarian crisis in CAR. The AUC Chairperson emphasized the need to tackle the security situation simultaneously with the humanitarian crisis.

President Marzouki congratulated the Chairperson for her leadership of the affairs of the organisation and assured her of his Government’s full continued support.

Highlights of meetings of the AUC Chairperson during the 68th UNGA

New York, USA – 25 September, 2013

CAR: “Now is the time to act, we have the capacity to make a difference.” OCHA Head
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission participated in a High Level Ministerial Breakfast Meeting on Humanitarian Challenges in the Central African Republic (CAR). The meeting was Co-Chaired by Mme Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs

Opening the meeting, Valerie Amos said, “now is the time to act,” adding that the humanitarian community has the capacity to make a difference.”

In her opening remarks, the AUC Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma emphasized the urgency with which the international community must deal with the humanitarian crisis in CAR. Given the need to simultaneously handle the humanitarian crisis and security, she called for the support of a quick UN Security Council Resolution to allow for the rapid deployment of a peacekeeping mission with clear mandate to contribute go security.
She thanked those who have been supporting to alleviate the plight of the suffering population. The meeting was attended among others by CAR Prime Minister, Ministers and UN agencies.

Meeting with the President of Tunisia
The AUC Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, met with the President of the Republic of Tunisia, H.E. Mohamen Moncef Marzouki, on 25 September 2013, in the sidelines of the 68th United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

The two leaders discussed issues of interest on the continent, notably Central African Republic, Egypt, Mali and Kenya. The Tunisian President offered a contribution to alleviate the suffering of the population in the humanitarian crisis in CAR. The AUC Chairperson emphasized the need to tackle the security situation simultaneously with the humanitarian crisis.

President Marzouki congratulated the Chairperson for her leadership of the affairs of the organisation and assured her of his Government’s full continued support.

Meeting with Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
The AUC Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma held a bilateral meeting with Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, States Department, H.E. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, on 25 September 2013 in the margins of the 68th United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma congratulated Linda Thomas-Greenfield on her appointment and wished her well in the job. In their meeting, the two talked about the importance of AU-US relationship, and the need to enhance the implementation of their Memorandum of Understanding. They exchanged views on the situations in the Central African Republic, Kenya, Mali, Sudan and South Sudan, Somalia and Syria. Other areas of interest were AGOA, the Abuja Summit on HIV/AIDS, and youth and leadership and skills training.

While agreeing on the need for quick resolution on CAR, they upheld the importance to arrive at a lasting solution than had previously been the case.

Status Updates with UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, H.E. Christopher Ross met on 25 September 2013 in the margins of the 68th UN General Assembly Meeting.

The meeting followed an earlier meeting between the AUC Chairperson, Dr. Dlamini Zuma and UN Secretary-General H.E. Ban Ki-moon during which Western Sahara was raised, with the AU expressed interest in seeing the matter being resolved once and for all.

H.E. Christopher Ross briefed Dr. Dlamini Zuma on the status of the 38-year old conflict, highlighting other issues such as human rights abuse and mutual violation of agreements. He expressed the need for the profile of the case to be raised even further. Consultations will continue following the UN’s call for a political solution.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation see lots of opportunities with the AUC
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation say they see a lot of opportunities for collaborative work with the African Union Commission. They told the African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, during a meeting with her on 25 September 2013 in New York, in the sidelines of the 68th UN General Assembly Meeting.

The Gates shared challenges and opportunities in their current support in the areas of health, supporting the fight again Polio, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as they set goals for the next 15 years with great hopes.

“We're getting better tools all the time,” Bill Gates highlighted, adding that “for some diseases, it's not just the number of kids they kill, but problems caused during growth and full human development of those that survive.”

Apart from health, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation see agriculture as one of the very big opportunity areas in Africa, given that it is a primary engine to reduce poverty. Small holder projects yield great results. They look forward to AUC’s guidance for leadership, especially through CAADP whose 10th anniversary commemoration presents an opening to stimulate more countries to deliver greater results.

“We look at more countries putting interest in agriculture, especially having women at the fore, not just as workers of farmers, but as owners.” Dr. Dlamini Zuma upheld the critical role of women, adding that, “As farmers, they need assistance with technical skills and inputs, etc. With women, you can be sure that the money comes to the family. That is why next year, the theme for the annual summit focuses on agriculture. We can alleviate poverty quicker with agriculture. While money from crude oil is good, it goes to government. But, with agriculture, the money goes directly to the families at the base of the society.”

Consultations will ensure on how best the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will work with the AUC to enhance the continental agenda.

Meeting the British MP for Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, H.E. Mark Simmonds, on 25 September 2013 in the sidelines of the 68th UN General Assembly Meeting in New York.

H.E. Mark Simmonds hailed the work done by the Chairperson within a year of her leadership at the AUC, and pledged continued support and collaboration in an atmosphere of mutual respect. They discussed the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals and the AU’s Agenda 2063. They also discussed the Nairobi terrorist attack, urgent action in the Central African Republic and British continued support to Somalia as well as Sudan and South Sudan.

Meeting with Guinea’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
The African Union Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met briefly with H.E. Francois Fall, Guinea’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on 25 Septmber 2013, in the margins of the ongoing 68th United Nations General Assembly meeting.

The Minister shared President Conde’s commitment to get Guinea back on its rails. He briefed the Chairperson on preparations for the upcoming elections, which he said were on course. He reported that he had received the African Union Elections Observer Mission before travelling to New York for the UNGA.

H.E. Francois Fall expressed the wish of the Guinean people to welcome the AUC Chairperson in shortest possible future.

On her part, Dr. Dlamini Zuma assured Guinea of the AU’s continued support and expressed knowing election preparations were going on smoothly. She promised to visit Conakry soon.

Highlights of meetings of the AUC Chairperson during 68th UNGA

New York, USA – 23 September, 2013

New Algerian Foreign Minister meets with AUC Chairperson, and formally hands in resignation as AUC Commissioner Peace and Security

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Algeria, H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, and former AUC Commissioner for Peace and Security.

The Chairperson congratulated him, once again, on his appointment and thanked him for his long and dedicated service to Africa since the time of the Organisation of African Unity. She expressed hope that H.E. Lamamra will continue to support the Commission in his new functions.

On his part, H.E. Lamamra thanked the Chairperson for her leadership and invited her to visit Algeria. He formally handed in his resignation as Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union Commission.

Meeting of the Great Lakes 11+4 Mechanism
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the United Nations Secretary General, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Co-chaired a “High-Level meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region.”

The High Level meeting was attended by Heads of State and Government from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa. H.E. Mary Robinson, UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes also attended, which meeting examined the implementation of the regional commitments under the PSC Framework by signatory countries since May 2013. It also adopted regional benchmarks and indicators of progress developed by the Technical Support Committee

Meeting with H.E. Mr. Andry Nirina Rajoeolina, President of the Transition of the Republic of Madagascar:
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with H.E. Mr. Andry Nirina Rajoeolina, President of the Transition of the Republic of Madagascar.

H.E. Andry Nirina Rajoeolina thanked the AU for its continued support to Madagascar and called on the AUC Chairperson to deliver a message to Member States and the international community to support the up-coming elections in Madagascar.

Meeting with H.E. Mr. El Anrif Said Hassane, Minister of External Relations of the Union of Comoros.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with H.E. Mr. Anrif Said Hassane, Minister of External Relations of the Union of Comoros.

The Foreign Minister updated the Chairperson on the dialogue between France and the Comoros on the future of Mayotte. The Chairperson thanked the Minister and sent her appreciation to the President of the Comoros for keeping the AU informed of discussions between the two countries. She expressed hope that these discussions will be fruitful and be concluded soon with the return of Mayotte to the Comoros.

High Level Meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council
A High Level Meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council held in the margins of the 68th UN General Assembly Meeting in New York, United States of America. H.E. Alassane Dramane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire presided over the meeting in his capacity as current Chair of the PSC for the month of September.

The Chairperson of the AUC, H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma presented a report to the Council on the partnership between the African Union and the United Nations, calling for more coherence and effectiveness. Statements were also made by the Chairperson of the Union, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and the United Nations Secretary General, H.E. Ban Ki-moon. The AUC Chairperson later presented an oral report on the situation in Egypt and updates on the activities of the High Level Panel.

Council adopted its 397th Communiqué at the Level of Heads of State and Government.
It issued a Press Release on the situation in the Central African Republic, and issued a strong Statement condemning the terrorists attack in Kenya, and expressing its solidarity with the people and Government of Kenya.