The MYCM was conceptualized in 2017 as the principal forum for the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to align their work and coordinate the implementation of the continental integration agenda, replacing the June/ July summits. It is a meeting between the bureau of the AU Assembly and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), with the participation of the Chairpersons of RECs, the AU Commission and Regional Mechanisms (RMs).

In January 2017, the AU Heads of State and Government made two key decisions:

1. To ensure a clear division of labour and effective collaboration between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), the Member States, in line with the principle of subsidiarity;
2. In place of the June/July Summit, the Bureau of the African Union Assembly to hold a coordination meeting with the RECs, with the participation of the Chairpersons of the RECs, the AUC and RMs.

Article 7 of the Protocol on Mid -Year Coordination Meeting, clearly states that in place of the June/July Summit, the Bureau of the Assembly shall hold a coordination meeting with the RECs with the participation of the Chairpersons of the RECs, the Commission and RMs. The Commission shall coordinate and harmonise the activities of the Parties for the Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.

The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, as per the Protocol, is expected to do the following:

• Assess the status of continental integration and coordinate efforts to accelerate the integration process;
• Coordinate the implementation of a clear division of labour and effective collaboration between the Union, RECs, RMs and Member States, in line with the principle of subsidiarity, complementarity and comparative advantage;
• Coordinate and harmonize AU and REC policies with a view to accelerating Africa’s integration process;
• Identify areas of cooperation and establish mechanisms for regional, continental and global cooperation in each sector or subsector;
• Guide the Union and the RECs in matters pertaining to priority programmes, resources needed for implementation of these programmes and the impact of such programmes in improving the lives of the African people;
• Review and assess the status of implementation of decisions and legal instruments pertaining to the relations among the Union, RECs and RMs;

Convened under the AU theme of the year 2023 “Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation”, the 5^th Mid-Year Coordination meeting is expected to consider, among other issues:

• The Status of regional integration in Africa.
• Consideration and adoption of an effective Division of Labour between the AU, RECs/RMs and Member States on the remaining sectors;
• Consideration of the report on AU Institutional Reform

At the conclusion of the meeting, a Declaration will be adopted.

The 5^th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting will be held into two formats as per the below schedule and agenda items:

13^th -14^th July 2023: 43^rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council

• Report on the status of the regional integration in Africa;
• Report on the division of labour between the AU, RECs/RMs and Member States;
• Report on the AU institutional reform
• Report on the next ten years implementation road map of Agenda 2063
• Consideration of the mid-term implementation report of the African Union theme of the year for 2023 on AfCFTA implementation;
• Consideration of the reports of committees of the Executive Council and ad hoc committees

16^th July 2023: Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting

• Official opening statements
• Presentation and discussion on the status of continental integration in Africa in accordance with the Abuja treaty
• Presentation and discussion on the status of regional integration
• Presentation and discussion on the draft report of the AU institutional reform
• Presentation on the division of labour among Member States, RECs/RMs and AU
• Presentation of the 10-year implementation plan of Agenda 2063.

The Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting will bring together:

• AU Chairperson and the Bureau of the Assembly
• AU Champion of the AfCFTA
• Chairpersons of all RECs
• AUC Chairperson and Chief Executives of RECs/RMs
• Deputy Chairperson and Commissioners of the AUC
• Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD

The 5^th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting is expected to accomplish the following:

• Fast tracking of the integration process in Africa;
• Report and matrix on the Division of Labour between the AU, RECs, and Member States on the remaining sectors;
• Consider the report on the AU Institutional Reform
• Consider the report on AU Institutional Reform

There will be scheduled press briefings and opportunities for one-on-one interviews. The opening and closing sessions will be livestreamed from the African Union platforms. There will be coverage on social media platforms.

The media are required to register for accreditation. Registration is now open at https://accreditation.au.int/en/media-accreditation/5th-mid-year

https://au.int/en/documents/20190905/african-integration-booklet

https://au.int/en/documents/20200523/africa-regional-integration-index-report

https://au.int/en/africa-integration-day-2021

https://au.int/en/newsevents/20140714/seventh-conference-african-ministers-charge-integration-comai-vii-ezulwini

https://au.int/en/documents/20170705/african-integration-and-development-review

Mrs. Wynne Musabayana| Head of Communication| Information and Communication Directorate| African Union Commission | E-mail:MusabayanaW@africa-union.org |Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Molalet Tsedeke| Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail:Molalett@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Information and CommunicationDirectorate, African Union Commission I E-mail:DIC@africa-union.org