Press Release Nº125/2013

Dr. Dlamini Zuma met Mr. Martin Mogwanja, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF

Johannesburg 1st August 2013 - In the margin of the African Union International Conference on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma met Mr Martin Mogwanja, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF on 1st August 2013. Were present, H.E Mr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs, Ambassador Olawale Maiyegun, Director of Social Affairs, Ambassador Febe Potgieter-Gqubule and Ms Akila Aggoune, UNICEF Representative to the AU and UNECA.

Dr Dlamini Zuma insisted on the need for Africa to define its own goals, priorities and targets which should be based on Africa realities and be implemented by its national forces and on the basis of regional approaches. Global goals tend indeed to propose lowest common denominator.

She urged for further cooperation towards the finalization of the 2063 AU Vision which is still to be adopted by member states. Dr Dlamini Zuma concluded by commending UNICEF and the AUC for the strategic partnership and urged for focus to be placed on achieving results.

Mr Martin Mogwanja congratulated Dr Dlamini Zuma and the AU Commission for the celebration of the OAU/AU anniversary on the theme “Pan-Africanism and Africa Renaissance”. He also congratulated her for her leadership and the adoption of the African Common Position on Post 2015 Development Agenda with a strong statement on children, youth and women.

Mr Martin Mogwanja offered UNICEF’s technical support to provide the needed data strategic evidence-based information that shows how to make difference for children and to accompany the AUC into the debate at the United Nations General Assembly and expressed his will on behalf of UNICEF to support Africa develop its own goals for continental growth and to build on greater healthy and well educated generation. He proposed that this Africa initiative to be announced at the September 2013 UN General Assembly. He underscored UNICEF’s support to children with equity principle and innovative approaches.

Dr Mustapha Kaloko noted the strong relation partnership with UNICEF in various areas with his Department and within the regional coordination mechanism.