Events
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January 30, 2014Seven African Countries Lead the Continent in Malaria Control Annual awards – bestowed at the AU – highlight how Africa...30 January, 2014 Contact: Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saleemah@alma2015.org
+251 939 643 193
SEVEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES LEAD THE CONTINENT IN MALARIA CONTROL
Annual awards – bestowed at the AU – highlight how Africa’s future
is inextricably tied to progress in defeating malaria
Today during the official opening of the African Union Summit of heads of state, H.E. Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique, conferred the 2014 African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Awards for Excellence in Vector Control to Cape Verde, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe,and Swaziland. Each country has demonstrated exemplary leadership in maintaining at least 95% coverage year round of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) and/or Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) interventions, the most important tools in preventing malaria.
Malaria is a leading cause of child deaths and kills 627,000 people every year, most in Africa. The continent has made tremendous progress in the delivery and use of life-saving tools in the fight against malaria, including LLINs, IRS, rapid diagnostic tests, and effective treatments, including preventative care during pregnancy.Yet malaria continues to wreak a huge toll on Africa. It burdens already fragile health systems; it is a leading cause of absenteeism in schools; it negatively impacts agricultural productivity and businesses large and small when employees and entrepreneurs are kept from their work; and it robs African countries of at least USD $12billion every year in economic potential.
“We cannot lose ground in our struggle to end preventable deaths and suffering from malaria” said President Guebuza, who serves as Chair of ALMA. “Our people and our communities are counting on us to continue to scale proveninterventions to insure that no African loses their livelihood or life to this ancient disease.”
Last month, the World Malaria Report declared that as a result of significant scaling-up of malaria control interventions, an estimated 3.1 million lives have been saved in Africa since 2000, reducing malaria mortality rates by 49%. And while funding challenges remain, resources for malaria prevention globally have grown from $100 million in 2000 to an estimated $1.9 billion in 2013. ALMA’s current Chair, H. E. President Guebuza of Mozambique, has rallied his peers and partners to increase malaria funding so that we sustain these impressive gains.ALMA was founded by H.E. President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania to create a platform for Africa’s presidents and prime ministers to accelerate action on malaria prevention and control. ALMA’s second chair, H.E. President Ellen Sirleaf of Liberia, continued to promote performance and accountability through the innovative ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action. Winners of ALMA’s Awards for Excellence are selected by an independent committee representing the World Health Organization (WHO), Roll Back Malaria (RBM), the private sector, civil society and academia. For more information about ALMA and for a profile of the progress shown by the seven winning countries, please visit www.alma2015.org.
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January 30, 2014
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Addis Ababa, 27 January 2014African Girls and Young Women Dialogue with African Leaders at AU Summit and Issue Recommendations Setting out Priorities for the Continent
Girls and young women are the future of the African continent, yet are seldom heard.
On 30 January 2014, during an innovative dialogue, some 50 girls and young women will issue a set of recommendations to political and business leaders from around the continent to make their voices heard.
The High Level Intergenerational Dialogue Breakfast Meeting, organised by the World YWCA, UN Women and the Nike Foundation, takes place as African Union states are poised to determine their common position ahead of the negotiations for what follows the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.
These girls and young women, representing the continent of Africa, will speak directly to African leaders, and will hand over a statement setting out their priorities and needs for the forthcoming negotiations on the post-2015 agenda to UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Media are invited to attend.
When: January 30, 2014 - from 7.30 – 9.30am
Where: Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Please register by Wednesday 29 January 2014
Interviews with participants will be made available upon request.
Media contacts:
UN Women: christian.mulumba@unwomen.org /+251 939 846 086
World YWCA: vivian.hakkak@worldywca.org / +4178 740 24 22
Nike Foundation: Pete.Lewis@nike.com / +1503 869 9653------------------------------------------------------
AVIS AUX MÉDIASPour diffusion immédiate
Addis-Abeba, le 27 Janvier 2014Les filles et les jeunes femmes africaines engagent un dialogue avec les dirigeants africains au Sommet de l'Union Africaine et émettent des recommandations définissant les priorités pour le continent
Les filles et les jeunes femmes sont l'avenir du continent africain, mais sont rarement entendues.
Le 30 Janvier 2014, au cours d'un dialogue innovant, quelque 50 jeunes femmes et filles vont émettre une série de recommandations aux dirigeants politiques et économiques de tout le continent africain pour faire entendre leur voix .
Le dialogue intergénérationnel de haut niveau organisé par l’organisation mondiale du YWCA, l’ONU Femmes et la Fondation Nike, a lieu au moment où les États membres de l'Union Africaine sont prêts à déterminer leur position commune en vue des négociations sur les objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement et l’agenda post-2015.
Ces jeunes femmes et filles, qui représentent le continent africain, parleront directement aux dirigeants africains, et leur remettront une déclaration énonçant les priorités et les besoins pour les négociations à venir sur l'agenda post -2015 , à travers la Directrice Executive d'ONU Femmes , Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka .
Les médias sont invités à y assister.
Quand : 30 Janvier, 2014 - de 7h30 - 09h30
Où: Radisson Blu Hôtel Addis-Abeba , Ethiopie
Prière de s’inscrire d’ici Mercredi 29 Janvier 2014
Les entretiens avec les participants seront disponibles sur requête.
Contacts pour les médias :
ONU Femmes : christian.mulumba @ unwomen.org / 251 939 846 086
YWCA Mondiale : vivian.hakkak @ worldywca.org / +4178 740 24 22
Fondation Nike : Pete.Lewis @ nike.com / +1503 869 9653 -
January 30, 2014Email from the Future, Election of New Chairperson and Awards to Prominent Africans Mark Opening Session of African...PRESS RELEASE No. 23 / 22nd AU SUMMIT
Email from the Future, Election of New Chairperson and Awards to Prominent Africans Mark Opening Session of African Union Assembly Meeting
Addis Ababa, 30 January 2014- An “email from the future” delivered by African Union Commission Chairperson Dr NkosazanaDlaminiZuma has served to encourage Africa to continue its fifty year development agenda (Agenda 2063), with the confidence that it is possible for the continent to achieve prosperity, integration and peace within that time, or less.
Delivered during the opening of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, the email is written to a hypothetical “Kwame Nkrom” by “Nkosazana”.
Speaking from the year 2063, after the full implementation of Africa’s Agenda 2063, the email lauds the progress achieved in initiatives that are, at present, being pursued by Africa. These include programmes on achieving an integrated Africa,developing industry and manufacturing, advanced use of information and communication technologies, mastery over the oceans and their wealth, beneficiation of minerals and natural resources, intra African trade, and sufficient infrastructure. In her message to “Kwame”, “Nkosazana” talks about an Africa that has turned itself from an importer of food to a major exporter.
“My friend, Africa has indeed transformed herself from an exporter of raw materials with a declining manufacturing sector in 2013, to become a major food exporter, a global manufacturing hub, a knowledge centre,” the email reads.The Africa of 2063, according to the email, isno longer a dark continent but rather one which islit up using hydro, solar, wind, and geo-thermal energy, in addition to fossil fuels. It isan Africa at peace with itself after having tackled the root causes of conflict. The email compliments the continent’s commitment to invest in its people, especially in the empowerment of young people and women, as being key issues that made peace happen. It mentions the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the formation of Organisation of African Unity held in May 2013 as having been the start of a major paradigm shift: a point where Africa took charge of its own narrative.
After reading her “email from the future”, the Chairperson sent a word of encouragement to all of Africa, that the contents of the email can be a reality. “It is impossible until it is done,” she concluded.
In the meantime, Dr Dlamini-Zuma announced the appointment of Mrs BintaDiop as Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, “to ensure that the voices of women and the vulnerable are heard much more clearly in peace-building and in conflict resolution”.
The opening session of the Assembly was also addressed by the Under Secretary General of the United Nations, who spoke about how the African Union and the United Nations can work together to address pressing crises and to build on Africa’s progress, announcing that “The United Nations is your unwavering partner” in the quest for advancement and growth.
The meeting, which elected President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania as the Chairperson of the African Union for the coming one year and Zimbabwe as the first Vice Chairperson, also heard from the newly elected President of the Republic of Madagascar Mr RajonarimamnianinaRakotoarimanana who paid tribute to his country men and women for making the choice for the restoration of constitutional order and going to the ballot box to elect their leaders. He proclaimed a new dawn for development, peace and security in his country but also added the urgent need for vital assistance for the country to realize its full potential.
President Jacob Zuma of South Africa took the floor to express his country’s appreciation for Africa’s support during the death and burial of its former President Mr Nelson Mandela last year. He paid homage to other African countries for having supported and harboured not just the leadership of the struggle against apartheid, but also many other South African liberation fighters and activists.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. Laurent Salvador Lamothe took to the stage to deliver the message of Haitian solidarity with Africa on behalf of the country’s President, Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr HaileMarianDesalegn gave his final address as Chairperson of the African Union before handing over to President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. A press release on the Prime Minister’s statement as well as the statement itself is available at www.au.int
The opening ceremony also saw the presentation of US$100 000 prizes under the Kwame Nkurumah Scientific Awards to two prominent African scientists; awards to Heads of State and Governments who have successfully championed the fights against malaria, launch of 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa and an acceptance statement by the incoming Chairperson of the African Union, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. Press releases on all the events are also available at www.au.int as is the full list of the new bureau of the African Union.
WZMFor further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | EthiopiaFollow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommissionLearn more at:
http://www.au.int -
January 30, 2014Press briefing of Deputy Chairperson of the AUCINVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE AUC
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC will, on Thursday, 30 January 2014 at 15:00 hold a press briefing on the following issue:
- Institutional Capacity Building
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.org
For 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
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommision
Learn more at:
http://summits.au.int/en/22ndsummit -
January 29, 2014
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING H.E ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF, PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA AND H.E DONALD KABERUKA, PRESIDENT OF AFDB
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and H.E Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank ( AfDB) will, on Thursday, 30 January 2014 at 17:30 will hold a press briefing on the following issue:
- Launching of the report on Fragile States in Africa
The press 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. MolaletTsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication AU Commission
Tel:+251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org
For 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
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommision
Learn more at:
http://summits.au.int/en/22ndsummit -
January 29, 2014
MEDIA ADVISORY
LAUNCH OF JOINT NEPAD-AUC PUBLICATION ON AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA
WHAT: Media is invited to attend the official launch of the AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA publication by the AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture Mrs Tumusiime Rhoda Peace and NEPAD Chief Executive Officer Dr Ibrahim Mayaki.
DATE: Wednesday January 29, 2014
TIME: 14:30
WHERE: Press Briefing Room 1 on the ground floor
BACKGROUND: The Publication is a state of the art, defining the key priorities and opportunities to advance agriculture. It is developed within the context of sustaining the CAADP momentum and especially to inform decisions on key issues that will drive agriculture into to the next decade and beyond. It reflects debate and consultations going on with regard to two key themes, Agenda 2063 and Post 2015 Agenda.
For more details contact:
Maureen Nkandu – Head of NEPAD Communications
Phone: +251 927348384
Email: maureenn@nepad.org -
January 29, 2014
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING OF H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, AUC Chairperson
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of AU Commission will, on Wednesday, 29 January 2014 at16:00 hold a press briefing on the following issues:
- The Africa we want in 2063
- The theme of 22nd AU summitThe press 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. 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
Follow us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Africanunioncommision
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Africanunion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommisionLearn more at:
http://summits.au.int/en/22ndsummit -
January 29, 2014The launch of the Global Monitoring Report (GMR): Education for all
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January 29, 2014
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
PRESS BRIEFING COMMISSIONER FOR SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E. Dr. Mustapha S. Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs, at the AU Commission will, on Wednesday, 29 January 2014 at 11:30 hold a press briefing on the following issues:
- Labour, employment, mobility and migration;
- NutritionThe press 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
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommisionLearn more at:
http://summits.au.int/en/22ndsummit -
January 29, 2014Pre-Press Briefing on the African Solidarity Initiative (ASI) to be convened “Africa helping Africa”
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January 29, 2014
MEDIA ADVISORY
NEPAD Heads of State Summit
WHAT: Media is invited to attend the official opening of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) Summit.
DATE: Wednesday January 29, 2014
TIME: 09:00
WHERE: Medium Conference Hall – Ground Floor of in the new AU
BACKGROUND: Twenty African leaders who make up the membership of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee - HSGOC will meet I n the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa ahead of the AU Summit. The HSGOC provides leadership to the NEPAD process and sets policies, priorities and the programmes of action.
There will be media briefing after the HSGOC Summit by NEPAD’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Ibrahim Mayaki outside the hall of the HSGOC meeting
For Badges for the HSGOC and media interview please contact:
Maureen Nkandu – Head of NEPAD Communications in Room G09 on the ground floor
Phone: +251 927348384
Email: maureenn@nepad.org -
January 29, 2014“Africa needs internal solutions to internal social issues”, says Commissioner Kaloko
Press Release Nº21/22nd AU SUMMIT
“Africa needs internal solutions to internal social issues”, says Commissioner Kaloko
Addis Ababa, 29 January 2014- Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union, Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko has spoken extensively on the need for the African Union member states to recognize and address the linkages of social issues, such as human and child trafficking, migration and malnutrition. Speaking at a press conference at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa today, he noted that African states had already taken the initial steps towards defining and implementing comprehensive labour laws, citing the 2004 Ouagadougou Declaration and Plan of Action on Employment.
However, whilst addressing the challenges in the formal economy is a necessary measure, he said, it was imperative for governments to look more closely at the informal economies across the continent, as between 80% and 90% of the continent’s working population operates informally. Those individuals who work in the informal sectors are far more vulnerable to unfair labour practices and are more likely to contribute to inter-linked trends such as undocumented migration, which leave them vulnerable to exploitation. He underlined the need for a holistic approach and commended the African Union and its member states for moving towards inclusive problem-solving mechanisms which involve all stakeholders affected by social issues.
Later on this year, African states will be re-visiting the Ouagadougou Declaration to re-assess its frameworks and implementation, and to re-affirm their commitment to sustainable labour practices, he said.
Speaking on the linkages of the social issues affecting many of the continent’s nations, Dr Kaloko emphasized that an internally-based approach was needed in order for Africa to find sustainable solutions. Governance is a key success factor in the design and implementation of national policies to tackle such issues as human trafficking and child labour, said Dr Kaloko and he was encouraged by the constantly improving state of the continent’s governance systems.
Also key in the Commissioner’s press conference was the issue of malnutrition on the African continent. Dr Kaloko noted that a larger percentage of the African population is malnourished today than was the case 20 years ago. He underlined the cost of hunger on the continent by pointing out, that malnourished children underperform in school, leading to them not attaining jobs or underperforming at their jobs in the future. The cost to national GDPs caused by these lost workers is high, and one which Africa can scarcely afford.
In concluding, Dr. Kaloko re-emphasised that the member states of the African Union must continue to move towards an integrated and comprehensive approach to tackling the continent’s social issues. In a few years, he said, Africa’s population will reach the 1 billion mark and it is imperative to make sure that every one of the continent’s citizens has the opportunity for education and decent employment.
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | EthiopiaFollow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommissionLearn more at:
http://www.au.int