Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 11 February 2015: The adoption of a continental framework for Africa’s transformation Agenda, Agenda 2063, provides an opportunity for the rationalization of the roles and responsibilities of the African Union, visa-a-visa the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States.

These views were shared by the African Union Commission Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Mr. Sindiso Ndema Ngwenya, when they met on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

While agreeing on the need to take practical steps towards accelerating Africa’s integration agenda, the AU Commission Chairperson and COMESA Secretary General were in unison on the opportunity provided by the recent adoption of Agenda 2063 framework to foster integration.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma reiterated a call made in her opening statement at the 24th Summit of Heads of State and Government: that the Regional Economic Communities must have a strong say in the affairs of the African Union. In this light, she will be convening a meeting to further discuss these with the RECs. They will begin the process of discussions to delineate roles and responsibilities aimed at better serving the continent’s integration agenda.

“Whatever we do, it is to advance the African integration agenda.” The COMESA Secretary General remarked.

Also expected to attend the meeting with the RECs are the African Development Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the Africa Capacity Building Foundation.

As part of his meeting with the AUC Chairperson, the Secretary General extended an official invitation to the Chairperson to attend its upcoming Summit due to hold at the end of March in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.