DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

Press Release N0. 08/ 16th AU Summit

Executive Council of the AU: Continental integration on the basis of shared values

Addis Ababa, January 27, 2011 - "The 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly will focus on identifying obstacles as well as measures to facilitate continental integration based on shared values. This shows the importance of this Summit because we must admit, it is taking place as generally agreed, at a time when questions of law, unconstitutional change of power, corruption and abuse of state power are issues that threaten peace and stability on the continent." It is on this note that the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Jean Ping, opened the 18th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) at the headquarters of the Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 27 January. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr.Paul Tougui, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and the Francophonie, in the presence of Deputy Chairperson of the Commission and all Commissioners of the African Union.

Dr. Ping in his speech before the Council, presented the work done by the Commission during the last six months. He also dwelt on the efforts and actions undertaken to consolidate peace and security on the continent. The year 2010 was marked by the celebration of the Year of Peace and Security, a special moment that has enabled Africa to show the rest of the world that it is in charge of its destiny by sparing no effort to make peace happen. In this regard, the fight against terrorism has been strengthened and a roadmap of the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and regional mechanisms to finalize the operationalization of the continental architecture for peace and security is under formulation.

Given the global economic situation, Dr. Ping welcomed the positive growth in African economies and the "consolidation of the presence and position of Africa on the world stage." "Efforts should however be provided …so that our continent does not miss its appointment with development and that it really fits into the global economy in the interests of our people," he said. Chairman Ping highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Commission, such as the proposed Pan-African University, the process of establishing centers of excellence and the promotion of academic mobility in different regions, the Programme for the Development of Infrastructure in Africa (PIDA), the promotion of maternal, newborn and child health, the launch of the Decade for Women 2010-2020 and the promotion of the role of youth in the development process.

Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, like the Chairperson of the AU Commission, welcomed the economic progress in Africa. However, there is a caveat to this optimistic scenario, he said, considering certain events that might interfere with the stability of the continent; growth that should be shared in an inclusive, fair and equitable manner to prevent slippage. In this context, the theme of the Summit induces a sense of community and common interest and core values to build the institutional environment. These aspirations are included in the objectives of NEPAD, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), and the Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of India, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Foreign Minister of Denmark and the Foreign Minister of Australia attended the opening ceremony of the 18th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council as invitees of the Council and development partners. They stressed the importance of shared values as an anchor for integration and development. The partners also commended the efforts of the African Union to establish peace and security on the continent. The representatives of India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to Africa to work towards better representation of Africa on the Security Council of the United Nations.

Declaring the 18th Ordinary Session of the Council open, the Chairman of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Republic of Gabon, Mr. Paul Toungui, stressed the need to push above the ambitions of the Council to accomplish the task of integration. The Council must develop synergies to solve the infrastructure problem and guide the Council's work in this direction, he said.

Representatives of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and EU bodies also took part in the work of the 18th Session of the Executive Board which will end on January 28. Several development partners were also present at the opening ceremony.