The 46th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) kicked off on 19 June 2023, in preparation for the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the African Union, The Regional Economic Communities and the Regional Mechanisms to be held from the 13-16 July 2023.
Addressing the ambassadors in her opening remarks, the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, extended a warm welcome on the occasion of the formal opening of your 46th ordinary session in preparation for the 43rd ordinary session of the Executive Council and the 5th mid-year meeting of the coordination meeting and commended the resilience of the members of PRC and the Commission. “Prior to this session, you have already accomplished remarkable work which confirms the commitment that has always characterized the PRC, aware of its central role in the functional architecture of our Union,” said Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa.
The AUC Deputy Chairperson applauded the spirit of constructive criticism which, in the end, culminates in the formulation of consensual positions, important milestones in the process leading decisions of AU legislative bodies. She further expressed appreciation for the good collaboration, which exists between the PRC and the AU Commission and the constant commitment to work to advance the continental agenda, with a view to achieving the noble aspirations contained in Agenda 2063. “Recalling that the PRC and the AU Commission are two organs of the Union which feed off of reciprocal and complementary actions on each other, our work must constantly be enlightened by our common desire to transcend the difficulties and to project into the future with unwavering faith in our ability to achieve our goals,” emphasized Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa.
Speaking on the security situation in Africa, The Deputy Chairperson noted the importance to consider the report on the African Union Peace Fund, as it enters the final stages of operationalization. “The sharp deterioration in the security situation with the intensification of deadly conflicts in some of our Member States makes it urgent to make the Peace Fund operational faster,” said Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa. Furthermore, the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission underlined the importance to discuss the report on budget. “Various constraints, due to the sluggishness of the world economy and many other factors, weigh on our Member States and consequently reduce their capacity to contribute to the budget of our Union. It is a fact. But, at the same time, another fact stands out in our view, namely, the responsibility to stimulate a dynamic of resilience and beyond that, the continent's quest for prosperity which is incumbent on the Union, in accordance with the will of our leaders. It follows the imperative to seek a balance that resolves the antagonism between these two observations in order to guarantee the Union the conditions for an operation that keeps it on the trajectory of Agenda 2063,” said Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa.
Speaking on activities carried out under the theme of the year 2023, the Deputy Chairperson underscored the need to enrich the report submitted to the consideration of the PRC. “The report on the activities carried out under the theme of the year 2023 will certainly be a source of inspiration to appreciate and enrich the policy brief and the roadmap for the theme of the year 2024 devoted to education,” emphasized Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa.
The Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, concluded her statement by encouraging the members of PRC to conduct a critical reflection in order to improving the operational performance of the continental organization. “The African Continental Free Trade Area confirms and strengthens its first steps in the deployment of its action plan. The report concerning it, submitted for your consideration, I am sure, will provoke your desire to see it grow at an accelerated rate to achieve the objectives assigned to it in the well-understood interest of the affirmation of the commercial presence of the Africa on the international stage,” said Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa.
On his part, H.E. Youssouf Mandoha Assoumani, Ambassador of the Union of Comoros to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee, commended the efforts of the Bureau of the AU Assembly and the Commission during the previous period. He noted that many opportunities are available to advance Agenda 2063, which is entering its second phase.
The official opening ceremony of the 46th Ordinary Session of the PRC meeting, was attended by the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, the AU Commissioners, and representatives from AU organs and AU officials.
Until 4th July, the ambassadors will consider different reports including: Reports of the Commission, namely: Report on Budget; Report on Peace Fund; and Partnership strategy, Reports on the activities of the PRC Sub-Committees, reports of the AU Organs and Specialized Agencies, Consideration of the concept note and the roadmap of the African Union theme of the year for 2024 on education. The session will also consider the draft agenda and draft decisions of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council scheduled to take place from 13th to 14th July in Nairobi, Kenya.
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