Valletta, Malta – 10 November 2015: The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has arrived in Valletta, Malta, to participate in the Valletta Summit on Migration, scheduled to hold from 11 to 12 November 2015. The Summit will provide a platform for African and European Leaders to exchange views and take decisions on the challenges and opportunities arising from migration and mobility within the two continents.

The AU Commission Chairperson will speak on the way Africa and Europe can partner and work collaboratively to reap the benefits of labour migration as well as on way to overcome the challenges around irregular migration in the immediate, medium and long terms.

The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Dlamini Zuma, will also present the opportunities that Agenda 2063 avails to the African continent to rekindle the hopes and aspirations of Africa’s women and youth, through enhanced industrialisation, skills training and empowerment, decent job creation, as well as the free movement of people and goods across the continent.

The death of thousands of Africans in the Mediterranean Sea remains an issue of great concern to Africa and Europe, warranting the need to pursue dialogue aimed at agreeing on measures to prevent the recurrence of the tragedies resulting from irregular migration and human trafficking.

Participating AU and EU Member States are expected to agree on an Action Plan and issue a joint final declaration at the end of the Summit.

Media contact:
Jacob Enoh Eben, Spokesperson of the Chairperson, African Union Commission; +251 911 201 632; +251 934 996 893 E-mail EnohebenJ@africa-union.org