Opening Remarks of Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki Chief Executive Officer African Union Development Agency-NEPAD

African Union Summit Side Event

Member States Reporting on Agenda 2063

6 February 2020

Your Excellency, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission,

Your Excellency Honourable Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma,

Your Excellencies,

Honorable Ministers,

Representatives of Development Partners,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Today history has been scripted in the books of Africa’s development. The Continent has held a critical moment of reflection over its implementation of Agenda 2063, based on the inaugural progress and performance report. This process has been an opportunity to assess not only how far we have reached concerning the goals and targets that were defined by the African people, but also how well we have performed on delivering on the continent’s blueprint.

The continent has made progress on various strands in pursuit of some of Africa’s aspirations – such as “A peaceful and secure Africa”; “An integrated continent, politically united that is based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of an African Renaissance”. It is also clear that alongside the progress achieved, there are opportunities to further strengthen policy harmonization, deepen integrated multi-sectoral planning and effectively deploy additional resources. This is a necessary pre-condition for a high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all African citizens, and also serves as enablers for inclusive growth and sustainable development on the continent.

The deep reflections and the knowledge that has been exchanged on this platform has reinforced the recommendations that are contained in the inaugural continental report. The need to deepen domestication of Agenda 2063 at regional, national and sub-national level, strengthening data, reporting and mutual accountability mechanisms in line with African Union’s biennial reporting cycle, and enhancing planning and implementation capacities, among others, have been reiterated.

The in-depth analysis provided by this platform on the progress made and performance registered by Africa in implementing its development blueprint, provides the impetus for African Union bodies to increase their commitment to develop appropriate tools and instruments for continental, regional, national and sub-national planning, implementation, reporting and innovative resource mobilization. Furthermore, African Union bodies should leverage partnerships and make deliberate efforts to establish and manage robust mechanisms for identifying good practices and sharing knowledge within and between Member States and Regional Economic Communities.

One of the key messages that has been re-echoed during this collective reflection has been the importance attached to ensuring a harmonized and integrated approach to the implementation and reporting of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda, with a view to optimize resource use and harness synergies accruing from the two agendas. The Union commits itself to providing continued support to Member States and Regional Economic Communities to domesticate, implement and report concurrently on both development agendas.
Being the first time we have had a continent-wide reporting process, we are aware of the need to improve on data collection, analysis, reporting and feedback mechanisms in subsequent iterations. On this note, we implore all African Union Member States to actively participate in data collection and compilation of implementation reports on Agenda 2063 in future. The AU will continue to provide the tools for data collection and reporting as well as the platform for peer review, learning and reflections.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, permit me to register deep gratitude to the panelists who have provided rich reflections on pathways of accelerating Agenda 2063, anchored on their wealth of experience. In the same way, we extend our thanks to all the moderators who ably facilitated the different sessions and made it possible for us to benefit from the wisdom and insights of the panelists. On a special note, we would like to thank Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the “mother of Agenda 2063” – for graciously reminding us of the cardinal considerations that framed the construct of Africa’s blueprint. Equally importantly is the re-assurance of her passion, zeal and unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Agenda. We are eternally grateful Madam Dlamini Zuma. During your term at the Commission, you emphasized the need to always consult the people of Africa, to get their consent and ownership of any policies, plans and programmes that impact on their lives. Therefore, you made Agenda 2063 their agenda. They told us what they want, not what we—the experts, the governments, or the cooperating partners—think they want.

In collaboration with our development partners and the private sector, we – the African Union bodies, shall enhance our efforts in supporting the Member States and Regional Economic Communities to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063 – as defined in our respective mandates.

Today, Agenda 2063 is the identity, badge of honour and catch-phrase for the African Union. We must stay the course and continue to make Agenda 2063 the continent’s pre-eminent guiding framework for its social, economic, cultural and political development. The flagship projects of Agenda 2063 speak to every aspect of life for our people.
To all the dignitaries and invited guests present here today, we are very grateful to you for accepting our humble invitation and sharing your collective reflections on the growth and development of our continent.

I thank you.