Events
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June 30, 2014
The 23rd Ordinary Session of the African Union ends in Malabo
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea 30 June 2014 - The 23rd Ordinary Session of the Summit of the African Union concluded in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on 27 June 2014. The summit’s Assembly, comprising Heads of State and Government of the African Union, was held from 26-27 June 2014. In their Assembly organised under the theme: “ 2014 Year of Agriculture and Food Security”, the Heads of State and Government adopted a number of key decisions with a view to enhancing the socio-economic and political development of the continent, notably in the areas of education, health, agriculture, trade, women and youth development.
The Assembly adopted the AU Budget for 2015 which amounts to a total of US$ 522,121,602.00, including US$142,687,881.00 for operational costs and US$379,433,721.00 for programmes.
The Assembly received an update report on the development of Agenda 2063: the fifty year vision for Africa. The popular version of Agenda 2063; the Africa we Want was tabled, and the Assembly instructed the Commission and the NEPAD Agency, together with the UNECA, the African Development Bank to popularise it widely and solicit further inputs from the African citizenry. Member states who have not yet made their submissions on Agenda 2063, further undertook to have national consultations and submit inputs on behalf of their countries as soon as possible. The Assembly further mandated the AU Commission to explore Agenda 2063 flagship programmes, such as the Continental Free Trade Area, free movement of people, the continental integrated high speed rail network, and to report to the Summit in January 2015. The Summit in January 2015 will also adopt Agenda 2063 and its first ten year plan.
The Assembly adopted the Protocol and the Statute for the Establishment of the African Monetary Fund. It further called on Member states to sign and ratify that Protocol as expeditiously as possible, for its early entry into force.
Regarding the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the Assembly considered the report of the High Level Committee (HLC) on the Post 2015 development agenda and requested Member States to mobilize together, to ensure that the agreed Common African Position (CAP), which is to eradicate poverty in all its forms, is the key message for all African representatives in the intergovernmental negotiation process on that crucial subject for Africa. In this regard, the Assembly mandated the HLC to coordinate Member States with the support of the secretariat and in collaboration with partners and other relevant African stakeholders, as Africa engages in the negotiation process with the rest of the world on CAP. The CAP will serve as the basis for Africa's input at the global level into the on-going post-2015 sustainable development intergovernmental deliberations, including the work of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing and the final phase of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. The assembly further requested Member States to enhance their statistical capacity to enable them to effectively monitor progress in the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, and urged them to speedily ratify the African Charter on Statistics.
The Assembly called for the enhancement of the Pan African Productivity Association, to provide it with the capacity enabling it to act as a regional think tank, catalyzer, research and knowledge developer and policy adviser on productivity at the continental level. Additionally, it called for the establishment and enhancement of productivity organizations at national and regional levels, which would eventually become members of the Pan African Productivity Association.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa -2024 (STISA-2024) was adopted as the continental framework for accelerating Africa’s transition to an innovation-led, knowledge-based economy within the overall framework of the AU Agenda 2063.
Similarly, the Statute of the African Observatory on Science Technology and Innovation (AOSTI) was considered, with the Heads of State and Government calling upon Member States and development partners to avail the necessary technical and financial support for sustaining the AOSTI. Further, the Assembly, while recognizing ARIPO and OAPI as building blocks of the Pan African Intellectual Organization (PAIPO), welcomed and endorsed the offer of Tunisia to host the Headquarters and Secretariat of the PAIPO.
A proposal by Republic of Congo to organize in Brazzaville every two years, an International Salon on Invention and Innovation under the auspices of the African Union; and to host a high level Ethics and Bioethics Forum in Brazzaville was welcomed and endorsed by the Assembly.
The Assembly underscored the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to Africa’s development, particularly for youth empowerment, employment and entrepreneurship and adopted the ten-year AU Continental TVET Strategy.
The Summit in Malabo decided that the APRM shall be an autonomous entity within the AU system. In this regard, the African Union Commission and the APRM Secretariat were requested to consult on the practical modalities for the integration of the APRM into the African Union system.
The following legal instruments were adopted in Malabo: Protocol on the Establishment of the African Monetary Fund; African Convention on Cross border Cooperation (Niamey Convention); African Union Convention on Cyberspace Security and Protection of Personal Data; African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development; Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights; Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union on the Pan-African Parliament. Furthermore, Member States were called upon to speedily sign and ratify the above legal instruments as well as all the other legal instruments they have not yet ratified.
The Assembly, while considering the Report of the High Level Committee on African Trade (HATC), directed the AU Commission to prepare Draft Terms of Reference of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) Negotiating Forum based on best practices in the regional economic communities (RECs)/Tripartite, refined draft Guiding Objectives and Principles as well as Institutional Arrangements to be submitted to the next AU Trade Ministerial Conference for consideration, along with other negotiation-related issues, and subsequent endorsement by the Assembly in January 2015 so as to facilitate the effective launching of the CFTA negotiations in June/July 2015. In this regard, the Assembly called upon Member States to maintain the momentum to fast track the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) as scheduled by providing the necessary financial and technical resources at national, regional and continental levels.
On the UN Reforms, the Assembly considered the Report of the Committee of Ten on that issue, and endorsed its recommendations, notably heeding the call for Africa to speak with one voice on this crucial matter, for it to be adequately represented in the UN system, and for the intensification of efforts towards building alliances with diverse interest groups engaged in intergovernmental negotiations, with a view to gathering support of the African Common Position.
On climate change, the Assembly considered the Report of the Committee of African heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSSC) and endorsed the Framework Work programme on Climate Change Action in Africa as a continental framework that will guide the African Union, its Member States and the RECs in addressing climate change in the near future. It further reaffirmed that adaptation is a priority in all actions on Climate Change in Africa. In this regard, the Assembly urged all Member States to urgently complete the development of their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and put in place systems and structures for Africa to take full advantage of the global mechanisms in support of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The Assembly moreover took note of the global events on climate change to be convened by the UN Secretary General in the months ahead, notably in New York on 23 September 2014 and in Lima, Peru in December 2014.
The decision was made that the Thirty-First Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Union will be held in Dakar in June/July 2018 following an offer by the Republic of Senegal to host it.
The Conference of Ministers in charge of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Conference of Ministers of Communication, with the participation of national and international regulatory entities for the broadcasting sector, were directed to take up the issue of migration from analogue radio/television broadcasting to digital transmission, and to work in concert to protect the interest of the public broadcasting services of the AU Member States. The Commission, in collaboration with the African Union of Broadcasting and the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) was requested to expeditiously establish an African Technical Committee for the Information and Media Society, to accompany Member States in their transition to full digital broadcasting, while at the same time stimulating economic recovery in Africa.
The offer by Togo to host a Regional Conference on Maritime Piracy and other Criminal Acts Committed at Sea was welcomed and as such, Member States and their appropriate Administrations, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, African and International Institutions specializing in maritime and related activities, as well as development partners, were encouraged to participate actively in the Conference when it is convened.
The mandate of the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCISS) was extended for an additional three (3) months in order to enable it complete its work.
Regarding the Report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the State of Peace and Security on the continent, the Assembly called for renewed efforts by the AU Member States and the Commission, as well as by the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs) towards achieving the objective of a conflict-free Africa by 2020, as provided for by the Solemn Declaration adopted at its 21st Ordinary Session held in Addis Ababa, on 25 May 2013.
At the same time, the Assembly welcomed the continued progress in post-conflict reconstruction and development and peace building processes in the Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia. It expressed satisfaction at the continued positive evolution of the situation in Madagascar. The Assembly welcomed the completion of the transition and restoration of constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau following the presidential and legislative elections held on 13 April and 18 May 2014, and the resumption of the participation of Guinea-Bissau in AU's activities, following the decision taken by the PSC at its 442nd meeting held on 17 June 2014.
It further welcomed the restoration of constitutional order in Egypt following the constitutional referendum and the presidential election held in January and May 2014, respectively and noted, with satisfaction, the resumption by Egypt of its participation in AU's activities. The positive developments that have taken place in Somalia were welcomed by the Assembly.
Concerns were raised at the prevailing situation in Libya and its impact on the conduct of the on-going transition and the cohesion of the country, as well as on regional security and stability.
The cowardly kidnapping by Boko Haram of over two hundred young girls in northern Nigeria elicited outrage from the Heads of State and Government who also welcomed the on-going AU efforts to address the scourge of terrorism, notably through the cooperative mechanisms being implemented by the African Centre on the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), the Nouakchott Process, the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the LRA. It hailed the AMISOM achievements in Somalia. For each of these issues, the Assembly recognised efforts being exerted to resolve them and made further recommendations towards consolidation of gains.
Heads of State and Government at the Malabo Summit also adopted some declarations related to accelerated agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods; ending preventable child and maternal deaths in Africa; support of small island developing states ahead of the third international conference on small island developing states; and nutrition security for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. The Assembly also adopted a Resolution calling for the lifting of embargo of the USA against the Republic of Cuba.
Finally, the Assembly agreed to hold its 24th Ordinary Session at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 30-31 January 2014 under the theme: “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”.
(All the decisions of the 23rs AU Assembly will be posted shortly on the AU website: www.au.int ).
WZM/EAT/HMC
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February 04, 2014AU Chairperson appoints Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security
DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
Press Release Nº42/2014
AUC Chairperson appoints Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 4 February, 2014:The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZuma has appointed Ms. BinetaDiopas Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security.Dr. DlaminiZuma announced the appointment on 30th January during her opening address to the 22nd Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 30-31 January 2014.
Ms. Diop has over 35 years of experience working in human rights, peacebuilding and development issues in Africa and internationally.She founded the Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), a leading global organization with an objective to strengthen women’s leadership and engender peace processes in Africa.
She has also served in numerous other positions amongst which are: Secretary-General of the African Women’s Committee on Peace and Development (AWCPD), President of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Gender Cluster (2009-2011); member of the Global Agenda Council on Conflict Prevention of the World Economic Forum (2010-2011), an advisor in the 6thAdvisory Group of the International Committee of the Red Cross (2004-2007), and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (2008-2011).
Her work contributed toincreased and more effective participation of women in peace and development processes on the continent, notably mainstreaming a gender perspective in the transformation process of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). She championed the achievement of gender parity within the African Union Commission in 2003, with the election of five women outof the 10 AU Commissioners. Her work also contributed to the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol, 2003) and the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004).
Ms Diop’scommitment and dedication to the cause of women have earnedhercontinental and global recognition as a champion of women’s rights and gender issues, with numerous honors and awards. TIME Magazine 2011, listed her amongst the 100 Most Influential People in the World; the University for Peace, in 2012, awarded her a “Doctor HonorisCausa in International Peace Studies” and she was awarded the Chevalier de la Légiond’Honneurby the French government in recognition of her work on women, peace and security.
Ms. Diopis from Senegal,has a Ph.D. Session Certificate, and is completing another in International Relations and Diplomacy at the Center for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies.
JEE/
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February 01, 2014La Commission de l'Union africaine lance la Fondation de l'Union africaine
COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE N0. 40/ 22e SOMMET DE L’UA
La Commission de l'Union africaine lance la Fondation de l'Union africaine
Addis-Abeba, le 1er février 2014 – La Présidente de la Commission de l'Union africaine, le Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, a lancé aujourd'hui 1er février 2014 la « Fondation de l'Union africaine » au Siège de l'Union africaine à Addis-Abeba (Éthiopie) en présence du Vice-président de la Commission, M. Erastus Mwencha, des Commissaires de l'UA, de l'ancien Premier ministre de la Jamaïque, M. P.J. Patterson, et de nombreuses personnalités
et autres invités.
Le Dr Nkosazana a indiqué aux participants que la fondation certes accepte des fonds de donateurs extérieurs, mais que d'autres sources de financement venant de l’Afrique sont nécessaires pour que les Africains puissent revendiquer leur appropriation de la fondation : « nous devons commencer à financer nous-mêmes notre développement » a-t-elle dit. Les ministres de la Planification et des Finances se sont penchés sur la question, mais en discuteront encore plus en détail en mars, a-t-elle ajouté. En outre, la question des sources internes et alternatives de financement a été un élément essentiel des engagements du continent en ce qui concerne les valeurs panafricaines que sont l'auto- détermination, la solidarité et l'autonomie. La Présidente de la Commission de l’UA a invité les participants à être des ambassadeurs de bonne volonté de la
fondation.
Créée par la Conférence de l'UA en mai 2013, la Fondation de l'Union africaine a pour objectif de financer les priorités de l'Afrique grâce aux contributions volontaires. La Fondation se concentrera principalement sur les questions d’importance critique en ligne avec l'Agenda 2063. Au nombre des priorités que financera en outre la fondation figurent le développement des compétences et des ressources humaines, l'autonomisation des femmes et l'égalité entre les hommes et les femmes, l'intégration régionale, le développement et l'entrepreneuriat des jeunes en Afrique. La gestion de la diversité, question également cruciale et élément inhérent de la paix et de la stabilité, sera également abordée.
Direction de l'information et de la communication | Commission de l'Union africaine E-mail: dinfo@africa-union.org

La Fondation soutient et est née de la vision de l'Union africaine qui est de « bâtir une Afrique intégrée, prospère et en paix, dirigée par ses citoyens et constituant une force dynamique sur la scène mondiale». Elle accueillera les contributions volontaires du secteur privé africain, des citoyens d’Afrique, des organisations philanthropiques, de la diaspora africaine, des entreprises en activité en Afrique ainsi que d’autres dons et contributions.
La question des sources internes et alternatives de financement a été un élément essentiel des engagements du continent en ce qui concerne les valeurs panafricaines que sont l'auto- détermination, la solidarité et l'autonomie. À cet égard, il est nécessaire que les différents acteurs y compris les secteurs public et privé et la société civile se mobilisent au sein d’un partenariat visant à accélérer le rythme de l'intégration jusqu'ici menée en grande partie par l’État.
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February 01, 2014Conference de Solidarite initiant le processus des contributions en appui aux pays sortant de conflit │Conference au... -
January 31, 2014Commissioner Tumusiime underscores AU’s Achievement on Water and Sanitation in Africa
Press Release Nº35 /22nd AU SUMMIT
Commissioner Tumusiime underscores AU’s Achievement on Water and Sanitation in AfricaAddis Ababa, 31 January, 2014: H.E Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union (AU) and Hon. Sarah Reng - Ochekpe, Minister for Water Resources, Federal Republic of Nigeria held a press conference today 31 January 2014 at the AU headquarters during which they highlighted the progress done on water and sanitation sector in Africa. The two panelists also discussed ways to accelerate the water and sanitation goals in the continent.
The briefing focused on the importance of water and sanitation as a key driver for development and poverty alleviation in Africa. It was noted that the Africa water vision 2025 calls for an Africa where there is an equitable and sustainable use and management of water resources for poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, regional cooperation and the environment.
The engagement of the African Union Commission for the past four years in the mobilization of key stakeholders and development partners to support the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) and to build a strong partnerships with the AU member states and the Regional Economic Communities for the establishment of regular monitoring, evaluating and reporting mechanism in the progress of implementation of the commitments on water and sanitation for the African Union Assembly was also explained during the briefing.
The inaugural report presented, was also said to have been prepared through extensive consultations and capacity building to designated focal points from member states.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner explained that, the pursuit of the African Vision 2025 is said to be not an option given the need to unleash Africa’s development potential but that this pioneer will be taken as a pilot in which through collaboration with all stakeholders and development partners, it is hoped to strengthen human resources and logistical capacity of member states in the coming years for improving monitoring, evaluating and reporting on progress in developing the water and sanitation sector in Africa.
NTH / EAT
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January 31, 2014The African Institute for Remittances (AIR) will be fully operational in 2015. The AU Executive Councilselected the...
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
The African Institute for Remittances (AIR) will be fully operational in 2015. The AU Executive Councilselected the Republic of Kenya to host the AIR Secretariat.
Addis Ababa January 31, 2014; The African Union Executive Council, in its 24th Ordinary Session on 27 – 28 January 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, accepted the offer from the Republic of Kenya to host the African Institute for Remittances (AIR). The Councilrequested the African Union Commission (AUC) to conclude the Host Agreement with the Republic of Kenya so as to ensure the formal take-off of the Institute in 2014. It also requested the World Bank and other development partners to support the Institute. The Institute is expected to be fully operational by the year 2015.
“I am delighted that the Executive Council has decided that the Republic of Kenya will host the AIR. The establishment of AIR, the first of its kind in the world,is a cornerstone in harnessing Diaspora resourcesfor social and economic development in Africa” said Dr. Mustapha S. Kaloko, Commissioner of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission. He also called upon development partners to continue supporting the Institute.
AIR project partners – AUC, World Bank, European Commission (EC), African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - agreed to the need for sustained collaboration and coordination ofefforts in support of the Institute to achieve the planned improvement inthe market for remittances and to leverage their impact on development in the continent.
Background
The decision to create AIR was taken by the AUC in the framework of the Africa-EU partnership on Migration, Mobility and Employment, for the purpose of leveraging the untapped development potential of remittance flows to the African continent. The magnitude of remittances to Africa has grown remarkably in recent years, gaining the attention of the international development community due to their positive impact on the living standards of beneficiaries. However, their precise volume is unknown and presumed undercounted, their transfer cost remains unacceptably high by international standards and their full potential for economic and social development is largely unexploited.
Thus the AIR Project was launched in 2010 with funding from the EC, execution by the World Bank in collaboration with AfDB and the IOM),with the primary objective of facilitating the AU Member States and the African Union Commission in establishing AIR.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information, please Contact;
Ambassador Olawale I. Maiyegun, Director of Social Affairs Department: MaiyegunO@africa-union.org
Ms. Soheyla Mahmoudi, Senior Operations Officer, World Bank: Smahmoudi@worldbank.org
Mr. Ron Hendrix, Program Manager, EU Delegation to AU: Ron.HENDRIX@eeas.europa.eu
Ms. Bernadette Dia Kamgnia, African Development Bank: B.KAMGNIA@AFDB.ORG
Mr. Josiah Ogina, Head of Mission to Ethiopia and Rep to AU/ECA/IGAD, IOM: jogina@iom.int -
January 31, 2014Les chefs d’État et de gouvernement africains s’engagent à soutenir le Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain (...
Communiqué de presse No38/22e SOMMET DE l’UA
Les chefs d’État et de gouvernement africains s’engagent à soutenir le Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain (AWHF)
africaine.
La Présidente de la Commission a rappelé que le Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain a été créé par l’UA en vertu des décisions prises à la première Conférence des ministres de la Culture de l’Union africaine en 2005 à Nairobi, et approuvées par le Sommet des chefs d’État et de gouvernement de l’Union africaine tenu en 2006 à Khartoum.
Dr Zuma a exprimé son inquiétude au sujet de la grande urgence de sauvegarder l’héritage culturel au cours d’un conflit et de gérer les menaces alarmantes provenant des activités d’extraction et d’expansion sur l’ensemble du continent. Elle a souligné qu’il est extrêmement urgent que le Fonds appuie les programmes de formation en gestion de risques et finance davantage les initiatives de conservation.
«Nous pouvons faire croître nos économies et résoudre nos problèmes sociaux, mais notre croissance culturelle, c’est notre âme. L’Afrique ne doit pas négliger son âme», a affirmé Dr Zuma en guise de conclusion à son allocution. Selon M. Sibusiso Xaba, Président de l’AWHF, les objectifs du Fonds sont les suivants: i) rendre crédible, représentative et équilibrée la liste du patrimoine mondial ; ii) assurer la gestion et la conservation durables des sites du patrimoine mondial en Afrique ; et iii) assurer que les moyens de subsistance des communautés locales vivant au sein et autour des sites du patrimoine mondial sont améliorés grâce à des activités économiques durables. «Nous pourrions considérer que les cinq dernières années ont été consacrées à la formation du Fonds, et je voudrais remercier les États membres de l’Union africaine de leur appui inébranlable au Fonds, s’assurant que nous avons jeté des bases solides pour la
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Addis-Abeba (Éthiopie), 31 janvier 2014: La Présidente de la Commission de l’Union africaine, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, a coprésidé une manifestation du Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain/de l’Union africaine (UA) avec
M. Sibusiso Xaba, Président du Conseil d’administration du Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain. L’événement a été coorganisé en marge de la vingt- deuxième session ordinaire de la Conférence de l’UA, au Siège de l’Union
conservation et la gestion de nos lieux de patrimoine culturel et naturel», a ajouté M. Xaba.
M. Getachew Engida, Directeur général adjoint de l’UNESCO, a pris la parole au nom de Mme Irina Bokova, Directrice générale de l’UNESCO. Il a déclaré que le Fonds pour le patrimoine mondial africain contribue à valoriser l’héritage africain à tous les niveaux grâce au renforcement des capacités des gestionnaires des sites, des professionnels du patrimoine et des communautés locales qui bénéficient de cours de préparation à la gestion des risques et grâce à la conversion et la réhabilitation des sites en danger. Il a aussi souligné que le Fonds a produit une nouvelle génération de professionnels du patrimoine en Afrique.
S’agissant des défis, M. Engida a mis en lumière l’extension urbaine et le tourisme, le braconnage et l’extraction non durable des ressources, portant gravement atteinte aux sites naturels, à leur faune et à leur flore. Il a ajouté : «C’est alarmant de constater que 17 sites africains figurent sur la liste du patrimoine mondial en danger. Cela signifie que l’Afrique abrite presque la moitié de tous les sites en danger – aucune autre région affiche un pourcentage aussi élevé».
Président d’honneur de l’AWHF et représentant du secteur privé, M. Phuthuma Nhleko a déclaré : «Il est tout simplement impossible de réaliser la Renaissance africaine en l’absence d’une vision convergente et totalement intégrée et tripartite sur les plans politique, commercial et culturel. La prédominance d’un aspect sans les autres n’est pas durable». Il a invité l’ensemble du secteur privé africain d’aider à créer le troisième volet de la trilogie qu’il a décrite.
D’autres participants à cette manifestation ont également pris la parole. M. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Président de la République de Mauritanie et Président de l’Union africaine ; M. Hifikepunye Pohamba, Président de la République de Namibie, qui a promis de contribuer 50 000 $EU cette année ; M. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Président de la République du Kenya, qui s’est engagé à contribuer 1 500 000 $EU; M. Jacob Zuma, Président de la République d’Afrique du Sud, a promis de contribuer un montant supplémentaire de 1 000 000 $EU - l’Afrique du Sud couvre les frais de fonctionnement annuels du Fonds.
En outre, des interventions ont été prononcées au nom de M. Idris Debby, Président de la République du Tchad, dont le Ministre de la Culture a promis une contribution de
100 000 $EU; de M. Kailash Purryag, Président de la République de Maurice ; de M. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Président de la République algérienne démocratique et populaire, dont la délégation a promis de contribuer 100 000 $EU annuellement, d’envoyer des experts au siège du Fonds, d’abriter la réunion du Conseil d’administration et de former des Africains sur le terrain au niveau universitaire.
Dans son allocution de clôture, D. Mustapha S. Kaloko, Commissaire de l’Union africaine en charge des Affaires sociales, a vivement exhorté les États membres à ratifier promptement la Charte de la Renaissance culturelle africaine qui, à ce jour, selon le Commissaire, n’a été ratifiée que par six pays.
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January 31, 2014
PRESS RELEASE Nº37/AU SUMMIT
22nd Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly concludes: A summary of key decisions
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 31 January 2014- The 22nd Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit holding on the theme: “Agriculture and Food Security” ended Friday 31 January 2014 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the adoption of key decisions by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
The following is a summary of decisions made by the Assembly. Full decisions will be posted on the AU website www.au.int in due course:
The Assembly approved the offer of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire to host the African Statistical Training Centre that will be based in Yamoussoukro (Institut Polytechnique Felix HouphouetBoingy), and resolved to allocate adequate resources for the production and use of statistics, in line with the principles of the African Charter on Statistics. This is in pursuit of implementing the African Charter on statistics and the strategy for the harmonisation of statistics in Africa.
Assembly welcomed the establishment by the AU Commission,of a panel of independent experts to assess the status of the operationalization of the African Standby Force and its Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC), as well as the development of proposals for the operationalization of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC), and requested the Chairperson of the Commission to submit a comprehensive report on the implementation of its Declaration at the next ordinary session in June/July 2014.
Under the discussion on implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Assembly commended the Commission and partners for the efforts in enhancing Africa’s visibility in COP.11/UNCCD in Windhoek, Namibia; and renewed its commitment to the Namibian Declaration to enhance the implementation of the UNCCD in Africa in order to address land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and effects of drought, and to promote sustainable development on the continent. It endorsedtheestablishment of an African working group on desertification and sustainable land management, to be convened by the Commission.
While expressing its disappointment that the request by Kenya supported by AU, to the United Nations (UN) Security Council to defer the proceedings initiated against the President and Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya has not yielded the positive result expected; and that the request by the Union to the UN Security Council to defer the proceedings initiated against the President of the Republic of The Sudan has not been acted upon to date; the Assembly, in its discussions on the implementation of decisions on the International Criminal Court decided that:
(i) African states parties should comply with African Union Decisions on the ICC and continue to speak with one voice to ensure that the African proposals for amendments to Articles 16 and 27 of the Rome Statute of the ICC are considered by the ASP working Group on amendments as well as by the forthcoming sessions of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute;
(ii) There is an imperative need for all member states to ensure that they adhere to and articulate commonly agreed positions in line with their obligations under the Constitutive Act of the African Union;
(iii) The group of African states parties in New York and the African members of the bureau of ASP should follow-up on the implementation of various Decisions of the Assembly on ICC, in collaboration with the Commission and ensure that the African proposals and concerns are properly considered/addressed by the ASP and report to the Assembly through the Commission on actions taken regularly;Discussions on maternal, new born and child health (MNCH) led to the endorsement ofthe recommendation of the Chairperson of the Commission on the establishment of an annual award to recognize significant contributions or action of individuals, organisations and governments in Africa towards ending preventable maternal, newborn and child mortality as well as enhancing their survival and well-being; and that the annual award be named “Mama Afrika Award” in honour of Miriam Makeba. The Commission was requested to coordinate the process of investiture.
With regard to Africa’s strategic partnerships, the Assembly welcomed the offer made by the Republic of Cameroon to host the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in May 2014 and welcomed the adoption of the principle of rotation in hosting the TICAD V follow up mechanisms, including the summit, and requested the Chairperson of the Commission to undertake consultations with Member States of the African Union with a view to identifying the host for TICAD VI Summit to be held in Africa in 2018.
In the same vein, the Assembly endorsed the Kuwait Declaration and the Eight Resolutions adopted by the 3rd Africa-Arab Summitand expressed gratitude to the Amir of Kuwait for the initiative to grant concessionary loans to African countries to the tune of one (1) Billion US Dollars, in the coming five years, through the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development and also to finance investment and its insurance in Africa, with emphasis on infrastructure, to the tune of one (1) Billion US Dollars, through cooperation and coordination with the World Bank and other International Institutions. It welcomed the establishment of an Annual Prize of one (1) Million US Dollar, to be allocated by the State of Kuwait for development research in Africa, under the auspices of the Kuwait Scientific Development Institutions.The Assembly adopted the 2050 Africa Integrated Maritime (AIM) Strategy plan of Action Plan. It also retained the 2015-2025 decade as the "Decade of African Seas and Oceans”, and the date of 25 July as the African Day of Seas and Oceans. Assembly invited Regional Economic Communities and regional mechanisms to develop and adopt a regional strategy against piracy, armed robbery and other illegal activities committed at sea, consistent with the 2050 AIM Strategy.
While welcomingthe fact that more than 10,000 students have received higher and post graduate studies and more than 5,000 doctors from Africa have received continuous medical training (CMT), and that 48 countries are now connected to the Pan Africa E network under the Africa-India partnership, Assembly requested the Commission to prepare and submit to member states at the January 2015 Assembly Session an action plan for the sustainability of the services of the network.
Assembly endorsed the organization of an extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Governments on the assessment of progress made in the implementation of the 2004 Ouagadougou Declaration and Plan of Action on employment and poverty alleviation, proposed to be held in Burkina Faso this year.
Assembly requested the Commission to work out the modalities, in collaboration with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and other interested member states including the legal, structural and financial implications relating to the establishment of an African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP) and to submit a report in January 2015 to the Assembly.
On Ghana’s proposal for the adoption of the Encyclopaedia Africana Project (EAP) by the African Union;Assembly called upon the Commission in consultation with the secretariat of the Encyclopaedia Africana, to submit at the next Summit proposals for sustainable financing of the project, including strategies for making it financially self-reliant.
The Assembly deliberated on the issue of peace and security on the continent. In this regard, itexpressed satisfaction at the continued progress in the consolidation of peace and reconciliation in The Comoros, in Liberia and in Côte d’Ivoire; It welcomed the conclusion of the process of transition and restoration of constitutional order in Madagascar; the conduct of legislative elections in Guinea on 26 September 2013; the positive developments in the situation in Tunisia and the commitment of the various Tunisian stakeholders to foster consensus and dialogue with a view to bringing the on-going transition to a successful conclusion; developments in Mali, particularly the conduct of two rounds of presidential election on 28 July and 11 August 2013; the progress that has continued to be recorded in Somalia; and the advances made in the implementation of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army (RCI-LRA),. It expressed satisfaction at the positive developments in the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the end of the M23 rebellion and the signing in Nairobi on 12 December 2013, of Declarations by the DRC Government and the M23; and noted with satisfaction the continued progress in the relations between The Sudan and South Sudan, and this, within the framework of the Cooperation Agreements signed between the two countries in Addis Ababa, in September 2012.
However the Assembly expressed its concern and made recommendations on the eruption on 15 December 2013 of violent conflict in South Sudan and the grave consequences inherent in this situation for both the country itself and the region at large; and at the situation in the Central African Republic. It underscored the need for more sustained effort to overcome the difficulties facing the peace process between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and to normalize the relations between Djibouti and Eritrea, reaffirmed its support for the Libyan government, expressed its solidarity with the Egyptian people and strongly condemned the acts of terrorism being perpetrated in the country.While discussing the report of the Committee of Ten on UN Security Council Reform, the Assembly requested the committee to endeavour to reach out at the highest political levels for the purpose of garnering and galvanizing the necessary political will in support of the African Common position; and reiterated its call for Africa to continue to speak with one voice and cohesively on all issues relating to the UN Security Council reform and related matters.
The Assembly adopted the Common African Position on the Post 2015 Development Agenda; requested the high level committee that was formed to sensitize and coordinate the activities of African leaders and members of the High Level Panel as well as build regional and inter-continental alliances on the Common African Position on the post 2015 Development Agenda, to meet as soon as possible to launch the Common African Position in Ndjamena, Chad.
On African development goals especially in the post 2015 period, the Assembly endorsed the articulation of the African development goals consistent with the existing continental frameworks and to serve as milestones for tracking and monitoring progress towards Agenda 2063.
In recognizing that boosting intra-African trade, industrial development and economic integration are the most viable means for African countries to achieve structural transformation and sustainable development, while discussing the report of the high level African Trade Committee on Trade Issues, the Assembly urged Member States and Regional Economic Communities to consider carefully the impact of the negotiations of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements on the African integration agenda, so that they do not compromise the African trade integration process and undermine the vision and scope of the Abuja Treaty. It also mandated the Ministers of Trade to hold an extra ordinary session to consider and adopt a work plan, negotiating modalities and principles towards the effective launch of the CFTA negotiations in 2015 to be presented through the High Level Committee on Trade to the next Summit meeting in June 2014.
On the biennial joint AU/WHO conference of the AU Ministers of Health, the Assembly called upon member states, RECs, regional health organizations and other stakeholders to utilize the biennial meetings to strengthen coordination and create synergies.The Assembly appointed the ten members of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union for a two year term as follows:
1. Burundi Central Region
2. Chad Central Region3. Ethiopia Eastern Region
4. Tanzania Eastern Region5. Libya Northern Region
6. Namibia Southern Region
7. South Africa Southern Region8. Gambia Western Region
9. Guinea Western Region
10. Niger Western Region.While discussing the report of the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) on NEPAD, Assembly reinforced the critical need for financial investments and leveraging public private sector partnerships and in particular welcomed the Africa 50 investment vehicle by the African development Bank to mobilise adequate funds for infrastructure developments.
Assembly decided that the 23rd session of the Assembly of the African Union will be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from 26-27 June this year, preceded by meetings of the PRC and the Executive Council from 21-21 June and 23-24 June respectively.
Following deliberations of the Assembly, the large conference hall at the African Union Commission has been renamed Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Conference Hall.
Assembly encouraged the Commission to pursue its efforts in enlisting the inputs into Agenda 2063 of all Africans and the Diaspora and engage member states to submit their written inputs before the end of April 2014.
On the democratic transition in Tunisia, Assembly expressed its satisfaction with the establishment of a new government of highly qualified technocrats with no affiliation to any political party, mainly tasked with securing the continuation of the democratic process.
WZM
For further information contact
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January 31, 2014Press Briefing of the Commissioner for Economic AffairsINVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E. Dr. Anthony Mothae Maruping, Commissioner for Economic Affairs, AUC will, on Friday 31st January 2014 at 16:30, hold a press briefing on the following issue:
- Africa 2063: Integrating Africa
The briefing will be held in Briefing Room 1, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalist are invited to take part in the press briefing
Media contact
Mr. MolaletTsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication
AU Commission
Tel: +251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.orgFor further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication /African Union Commission/ E- mail: dinfo@africa-union.org /Web site: www.au.int / Addis Ababa / Ethiopia
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January 31, 2014Press Briefing of Commissioner for Peace and Security
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF COMMISSIONER FOR PEACE AND SECURITY
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E. Ambassador Smail Chergui, Commissioner for Peace and Security will on Friday 31st January 2014 at 11:00 hold a briefing on the following issue:
- Africa 2063:a continent at peace with itself and the rest of the world
The briefing will be held in Small Conference Hall 4, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalist are invited to take part in the press briefing
Media Contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication
AU Commission
Tel:+ 251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.orgFor further information contact
Directorate of information and communication /African union commission/ E- mail:dinfo@africa-union.org/Web site: www.au.int/ Addis Ababa / Ethiopia
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January 31, 2014Motion of Thanks by H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of the Republic of Mali at the closing of the 22nd Ordinary...
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January 31, 2014Press Briefing of the AUC Commissioner and Minister of Nigeria
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF THE AUC COMMISSIONER AND MINISTER OF NIGERIA
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E. H.E Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC and HON Sarah Reng - Ochekpe, Minister for Water Resources Federal Republic of Nigeria will on Friday 31st January 2014 at 9:45 hold a press briefing on the following issue:
- Accelerating the Achievement of Water and Sanitation Goals in Africa
The briefing will be held in briefing room1, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalist are invited to take part in the press briefing
Media Contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication
AU Commission
Tel:+ 251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.orgFor further information contact
Directorate of information and communication /African union commission/ E- mail:dinfo@africa-union.org/Web site: www.au.int/ Addis Ababa / Ethiopia
Follow us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Africanunioncommision
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Africanunion
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http://summits.au.int/en/22ndsummit
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