NEPAD can consolidate and build upon its successes in the decades ahead, NEPAD CEO

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 1 2012 - The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency, has been showcasing its achievements in the last ten years of its existence at the launch of its two flagship publications - ‘Africa’s Decade of Change’ and the ‘NEPAD 2011 Annual Report’ at the African Union headquarters in the Ethiopian Capital.

Established in 2001, amid issues such as the escalating poverty levels, underdevelopment and the continued marginalisation of Africa, NEPAD was seen as a new radical intervention, spearheaded by African leaders, to develop a new vision that would guarantee Africa's renewal.

Speaking at the launch African Union Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini -Zuma congratulated NEPAD for the two publications which capture key achievements made. The AUC Chairperson also emphasised that the development of the Continent rests on factors such as effective governance, strong enhanced leadership, strong political commitment and accountability for results

“To these and several other factors like improved financial and technical resource based domestic sources, I am deeply convinced that the AU-NEPAD programme will continue to make significant contributions with measurable impact,” said Dr Dlamini-Zuma.

The ‘Africa’s Decade of Change’, was jointly produced by the NEPAD Planning and Coor¬dinating Agency (NPCA), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (UN-OSAA), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The Book was also recently launched during the Africa Week activities on the margins of the UN General Assembly debate on Africa, in New York.

The publication outlines NEPAD’s track record and key outcomes and reflections of the tenth-anniversary of NEPAD as the flagship development programme of the African Union.

The ‘NEPAD 2011 Annual Report’ is also the tenth-anniversary issue on the activities of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency in respect of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. What sets 2011 apart is that it represents both a milestone and a turning point. As a milestone, it marks the first decade in the launch of NEPAD.

The report highlights the context in which NEPAD operated in 2011, the programmes it undertook and results achieved. It reviews some of the challenges and opportunities faced by the Agency and looks forward positively to 2012 and beyond.

“The continent’s development setting in 2011 provided NEPAD Agency with a propitious environment for its operation, due to strong economic growth, continuing improvement in political governance, heightened ownership of NEPAD interventions” said NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki.

And speaking earlier, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP’s Representation to the AU and Liaison Office with UN Economic Commission for Africa, Deborah Mekonnen praised the good partnership between UNDP and NEPAD in various programmes designed to eradicate poverty. UNDP supported the publication and launch of the NEPAD Annual report, through funding and logistic support.

The general chorus echoed by Ambassadors and others at the launch was the need for more visibility on what NEPAD is doing so that Africans can understand and appreciate the important and effect work NEPAD is doing.
In addition to launching its publications, NEPAD also paid tribute during the launch to His Excellency Prime Meles Zenawi, for his liberation struggle pedigree, high calibre and rare talent, patriotic zeal, along with his political gallantry and dedication to eradicate poverty in Ethiopia.

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For more information contact:
Maureen Nkandu
Phone: 251 927348384
Email: maureenn@nepad.org

Benita Nsabua
Phone : 251 923208160
Email : benitan@nepad.org