Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 20 November 2017- The Second Ordinary Session of the AU Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Communication and ICT (CCICT-2), holding from 20-24 November 2017, commenced today at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The opening ceremony of the experts’ meeting was graced by the presence of delegates from 29 member states of the African Union (AU).

Ms. Leslie Richer, Director of Information and Communication delivered the AU Commission’s statement, in which she congratulated the AU member states on their endeavors to develop the communication and ICT sectors of Africa. “Our strategic framework Agenda 2063 recognizes that for Africa to achieve its full potential, the investment in any sector, including communication and ICT, must be holistic and inclusive, ensuring access by all members of society to technology and the knowledge economy,” noted Ms. Leslie Richer.

In the remarks of Mme Mariko Assa SIMBARA, the Chair of the outgoing Bureau it was highlighted that the ICT sector contributes to the foundation of the physical integration of Africa, provides support and acts as an engine of economic growth, economic development and poverty reduction.

The role of media in playing crucial role within communication and ICT sector and the growing support from media partners for the Agenda 2063 was acknowledged and welcomed by the AU Commission director of Information and Communication.

Ms. Leslie Richer recalled that as a result of previous ministerial decisions, AU Commission has been able to implement and initiate key initiatives such as Dot Africa operationalization; the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms; and the African Internet Exchange System.

The STC meeting is organized by the Directorate of Information and Communication and the Department of Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union Commission

The main objective of the CCICT2 is to review implementation of projects, adopt strategies and action plans for the implementation of projects and programs at the continental and regional levels for the communication and ICT sectors.

Notes to the Editor:
The Specialized Technical Committees (STCs), which constitute an important technical organ of the African Union (AU), were established under Article 25 of the African Economic Community Treaty (the Abuja Treaty). The STCs are expected to work in close collaboration with the various departments of the AU Commission (AUC) so as to provide well-informed inputs in their areas of specialization to the work of the Executive Council. They should also, be involved in monitoring programme development and implementation by the AUC and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on behalf of the Executive Council.
Therefore, the early operationalization of the STCs becomes imperative, given the overall objective of accelerating continental integration and the importance attached to the effective implementation of programmes and projects of the Union. To this end, the Assembly of the Union adopted The Decision; Assembly/AU/Dec.227 (XII) reconfiguring the existing STCs and created one on Communication and Information Technologies called Committee on Communication and ICT (CCICT).
CCICT-2 will gather ministers responsible of ICT and post as well as ministers in charge of communication and information from AU member states, AU specialized institutions and international organizations, African and international partners of Africa dealing with communication and information technologies.
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For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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