Events

Press Release No.

AUC signs MOU with partners on the implementation of the African Water Vision 2025

Addis Ababa, 21 September 2015 – Within the framework of partnership meeting for implementing the African Water Vision 2025, the African Union Commission (AUC), through its Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA), signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with CLTS-Foundation, Water Aid, Water and Sanitation for Africa (WSA), Sustainable Sanitation Design (Susan Design), and Norges Vel. It was took place on 21 September 2015 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The AUC and the partner organizations signed the MoU on different areas of collaboration to facilitate the realization of the Africa Water Vision 2025 through revitalizing efforts to create an enabling environment for international cooperation to achieve the 2025 vision.
H.E Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC stated that strategic ways of sanitation management is on top of the African leadership agenda.
While emphasizing the sound implementation of the MoU signing, Mr. Bai-Mass Tall representing the President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), also said that water and sanitation issue should be priority equally to other matters around the continent.
The meeting discussed issues related to the AU Water and Sanitation Initiatives that were presented by the Commission and which include: (i)- the Kigali Action Plan (KAP) that is in progress and already championed by the Government of Rwanda; (ii)- the Operation 2M4M as scaling up of the KAP to all AU member States, that will allow massive interventions for access to water supply facilities to 110 million Africans, and sanitation facilities to 220 million Africans; (iii)- the African Clean Village Programme for large sanitation communities led total sanitation to 250 million Africans mostly in rural areas in Africa; and (iv)- the Pan African Productive Sanitation Programme that aims at developing mechanism for private sector involvement for large scale interventions for reusing waste in agriculture and energy in order to contribute to better solve problem faced by: energy, water resource management, infrastructure, industry, climate, and air pollution sectors.

The meeting was attended by AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture; AMCOW President; development partners; diplomatic corps; and AUC staffs.
While the importance of this kind of partnership has been stressed by the Representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) to successfully approach the holistic problems of water and sanitation in Africa, call was made to development partners to give equal attention and strengthen support to development issues including water supply and sanitation on the continent.
For H.E Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, the pursuit of the Africa Water Vision 2025 is not an option especially given the need to unleash Africa’s development.

For further information, please contact:
Anselem Vodounhessi,
Technical Advisor Water and Sanitation, AUC
Anselmev@africa-union.org

Media Contact:

Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC; molalett@africa-union.org;

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 | Ethiopia

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CONCEPT NOTE

Joint 33rd General Conference of the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC), and 14th PATTEC Coordinators meeting, N’Djamena, Chad, 14th –18th September 2015

Theme
Bringing all Stakeholders together after 15 years of the implementation PATTEC Initiative

1.0 BACKGROUND

The International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) is a statutory Council of the African Union Commission with the Secretariat at African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal resources (AU-IBAR) in Nairobi, Kenya. It was established in the early 60s as a vehicle to promote international cooperation in the fight against trypanosomiasis which is one of Africa’s greatest constraints to socio-economic development, severely affecting human and livestock health, limiting land use, causing poverty and perpetuating underdevelopment on the continent.
The Membership of the Council includes Africa Union Member States, Africa Union - Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (AU-PATTEC), International organizations, including Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) among others.
During the 9th Conference of Ministers responsible for Livestock in Africa that was held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, 14th to 19th April, 2013, Ministers recommended that Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) develop national and regional Tsetse and Trypanosomosis(T&T) Strategies and Action Plans that are aligned to the continental PATTEC Strategic and Action Plans, increase their public investment, and participate in a resource mobilization conference on T&T interventions scheduled to be held in 2015 to commemorate PATTEC at fifteen years and review progress made. The 33rd ISCTRC General Conference in 2015 will be held in Chad. Further, it is worth recalling that during the 32nd ISCTRC General Conference that was held in Khartoum, Sudan, 8-12 September 2013, a resolution was made that the Coordinators’ meeting should be part of the ISCTRC conference programme during the year when the ISCTRC conference is held.
This year’s Coordinators and Focal Points’ meeting is unique in that it coincides not only with the 15th Anniversary of the birth of the PATTEC Initiative, but also the 33rd ISCTRC General Conference.
Given that the 14th PATTEC Coordinators and Focal Points’ meeting coincides with the 15th Anniversary of PATTEC and the 33rd ISCTRC General Conference, the objectives of the meeting are designed to address the ministerial recommendation cited above as well as to facilitate information sharing and exchange on matters regarding Tsetse and Trypanosomosis research and control and bringing all stakeholders together after 15 years of the Implementation of the PATTEC Initiative.
The General Conference is a five-day event that is normally attended by 300 participants from the 36 affected African countries and international organizations with over 100 scientific papers being presented. The meeting disseminates scientific information on tsetse, human and animal trypanosomiasis problem, reviews control strategies and recommends appropriate approaches in research and control.
The previous (32nd) ISCTRC General Conference was held in Khartoum, Sudan in 2013 and the 33rd ISCTRC Conference will be held in N’Djamena, Chad on 14th to 18th September 2015.
2.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE MEETING
To promote information sharing on tsetse, human and animal trypanosomiasis problem, review the PATTEC Initiative’s implementation, control strategies and recommend appropriate approaches in research and control.
3.0 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
• To hold the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control, Executive Committee meeting on 12th September 2015;
• To hold the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control General Conference; the 14th PATTEC National Coordinators/Focal Points’ Meeting and commemorate PATTEC at fifteen years with the aim to:
o To receive from PATTEC, country reports and international organizations, institutions and donors;
o To receive scientific presentations on Tsetse and Trypanosomosis research and control
o discuss lessons learned during the 15 years;
o propose a practical roadmap for the management of the PATTEC initiative for the next decade (including review of the level of public investment in T&T programmes, identifying sustainable funding mechanisms for the management of T&T programmes and review of the challenges faced in the implementation of the PATTEC Initiative over the past 15 years,
o conduct relevant side meetings and;
o propose recommendations for Tsetse and Trypanosomosis research and control activities for the following two years

4.0 PROGRAMMES FOR THE MEETING
• Registration
• Opening Ceremony
• Presentations and discussions on PATTEC and countries’ reports during the 14th PATTEC Coordinators and Focal Points’ Meeting and the following subthemes; Animal African Trypanosomiasis; Glossina Biology; Socio-economic; Land use and environment
• Commemoration of PATTEC at fifteen years to be celebrate on Friday afternoon (18.5.2015);
Programme to be made available at a later date (Key note speeches on the following topics
o Key achievements of the AU-PATTEC and lessons learned over the 15th years
o Advances and achievements in HAT, AAT and Vector control following the decision on the PATTEC Initiative
o Succinct testimonies from 1-2 affected countries
• Adoption of recommendations by the Council to guide research and control of Tsetse and Trypanosomosis for the next two years
• Closing ceremony

5.0 OUTCOMES AND OUTPUTS

• Tsetse and Trypanosomosis information shared and disseminated
• PATTEC initiative reviewed and road map for the next decade agreed;
• Achievements of the PATTEC over the past 15 years discussed and documented
• Lessons learned over the past 15 years documented
• Networking amongst the Tsetse and Trypanosomosis research and control workers enhanced
• Recommendations for Tsetse and Trypanosomosis research and control activities for the next two years adopted
• Conference proceedings
• Capacity for Tsetse and Trypanosomosis research and control enhanced
• The Visibility and the role of the Government of Chad in the fight against tsetse and trypanosomisis in Africa enhanced
• Visibility of African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources and the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control enhanced
• The Visibility and role of the PATTEC Coordination Office and its mandates in the implementation of the PATTEC Initiative enhanced

6.0 PARTICIPANTS EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE MEETING
300 participants are expected to attend the meeting comprising of:
1. Thirty eight (38) Member States where Tsetse and Trypanosomosis remains a challenge
2. Ministries of Animal Health, Health, etc. officials/staff in charge of animal and human health in Chad;
3. African Union Commission Staff
• Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture
• Director of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture
• Director African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR)
• Coordinator African Union Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC)
• Staff from AU-IBAR, AU-PATTEC, AU-PANVAC ;
4. Scientists/Researchers
5. Institutions of Higher learning
6. Private sectors
7. PATTEC National Coordinators/Focal points and steering committee’s members;
8. 4. ISCTRC Executive committee Members

Report: Africa is projected to have just one low income country by 2050

Large infrastructure gaps, climate change, high speed of urbanization, and a youthful and rapidly growing population will influence the future pace of growth

September 1, 2015… Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—Most African countries that today are considered low income will transition to middle income within 15 years, and all but one will be middle income by 2050, according to the Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR), released today.

The ATOR, released by the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS), a program facilitated by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), examines the current and future trends that are likely to shape the trajectory of African economies. As the second-fastest growing region in the world, Africa has enjoyed robust economic growth in recent years. However, that progress has not been enough to make up for the lost decades of economic stagnation that preceded the recent recovery. And secondly, the benefits of this growth have not trickled down to the wider population. Today too many people experience poverty and food scarcity.

“While the recent growth performance is encouraging, African counties still face major challenges in terms of reducing poverty and eliminating hunger and malnutrition,” said Ousmane Badiane, IFPRI Director for Africa. “This report shows that policymakers need to continue to refine policies, improve institutions and increase investments to sustain and accelerate the pace of growth as well as its inclusivity or broadness—and the outcomes of their decisions can be the difference between persistent poverty and future shared prosperity for many of Africa’s most vulnerable populations.”

The report found:
• Africa south of the Sahara is projected to experience more sustained economic growth in GDP per capita between now and 2030 and 2050.
• By 2050, climate change will result in a 25% increase in cereal prices compared with a no climate change scenario.
• Trends that are likely to influence the trajectory of African economies include:
o more volatile food and energy prices;
o rapid urbanization, increasing incomes, and the rise of a middle class;
o rapid increase in a young population entering the labor force;
o greater climate variability; and
o agriculture as the largest source of employment.
• African diets are changing in response to rapid urbanization and the rise of a middle class. Fifty percent of Africa's population is projected to live in urban areas by 2020. Processed food now represents a significant share of food purchases, even for the rural poor. Diets have also diversified beyond grains into horticulture, dairy, livestock, fish, and pulses.
• Structural change in Africa is now contributing to productivity growth. Africa's informal goods and services sector (e.g., home goods and handicraft production, and food staples processing) is emerging steadily, and must play a major role in future growth and industrialization.
• Industrialization in Africa has been weak, and has contributed little to Africa’s recent growth. A new industrial strategy needs to focus on investing in infrastructure, especially energy, transport, and water supply.
“As envisaged under the African Union Malabo Declaration, transforming African economies will need ensuring that future growth is broad based and inclusive, especially of women and youth, a critical component of the Africa We Want as depicted in the Africa Agenda 2063,” said Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission (AUC). ‘‘This is a sure way for wealth to be created and jobs to be generated,” she added.

The report was released today at the ReSAKSS conference organized by AUC and IFPRI in Addis Ababa. Read the report on the ReSAKSS website.

A great opportunity for African Decision-makers, Experts, Service Providers and the User Community to exchange views

Nairobi, Kenya, 31st August 2015 – the first Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA) kick started in Kenya from 31st August – 4th September 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Forum discussed how Earth Observation data through the MESA Project supports policy, planning and decision making at the national, regional and continental level in Africa.

Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission, H.E. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, in her opening statement said: “This Forum is a great opportunity for all of us: African Decision-makers, Experts, Service Providers and the User Community to exchange views on various aspects of the project in order for the MESA project to remain relevant and useful to the community that it is intended to serve in its multiple sectoral areas of focus including agriculture, coastal and marine resources, climate variability and Climate change including assessment, natural resources conservation, disaster risks reduction, flood and drought monitoring, fisheries, forestry monitoring, land degradation mitigation, livestock management, monitoring of wildfires, and water resources management"

"Before this, my office and team members had to travel physically to protected areas which took several days and incurred huge costs. Thanks to the MESA projects, KWS can now get a snapshot of satellite images of the protected areas on a single page. That is a clear example of how these technologies and the ones to be discussed here over the next five days impact our everyday lives. The funds saved from such initiatives can be now channeled by Government to further research and innovation towards safeguarding our environment" said her keynote address Prof. Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Regional Development Authority of the Republic of Kenya.

During this time delegates have exchanged best practices that have helped African Governments and organisations to establish coherent frameworks for the development of Earth Observation activities which are influencing policy for environmental sustainability for future generations.

The Forum has the theme “Streamlining MESA products and services towards the decision making cycle in support of sustainable environmental management” and will be organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) together with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources with the support of the European Union. 200 international delegates comprising of decision and policy makers, planners, earth observation data users and experts from across the continent.

The MESA Project is a European Union funded Programme implemented with the overall coordination of the Afri-
can Union Commission and steering by the Regional Economic Communities and Inter-Governmental Organisations
(CEMAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, IOC and SADC) and the ACP Secretariat, in close cooperation with the European Union and
partners such as EUMETSAT and the EC Joint Research Centre. Read more at - http://mesa.au.int

For more information

Mr. Hailu Wudineh (AU-MESA)
AU-MESA Communication Officer
Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA) Programme
Email: hailu.wudineh@hd-mesa.org
Tel: +251 911671683
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mr. Seblu Zenebe (AUC)
Directorate of Information and Communication
African Union Commission
Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00
E-mail: SebluZ@africa-union.org
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Press Release Nº180/2015

AU Commission holds a bid farewell to Director of Rural Economy and Agriculture

Addis Ababa- 4 August 2015: The Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission hosted a dinner to congratulate and bid farewell to Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel, outgoing Director of the Department who has since been appointed as Deputy Director of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the Regional Office for Africa and FAO Country Representative for Ghana. The function took place at Congo Hall within the AU premises.

Dr. Abebe was lauded by the Commissioner and members of staff who spoke for the dedication and contribution as Director of the Department for the last four years. Before becoming Director he was Head of Division of Rural Economy and Agriculture in the same Department and prior to that he served as Coordinator of the Semi-Arid Grain Food Research and Development (SFAGRAD) one of the six specialized technical offices of the AU under DREA. He joined the AU in 2005.

He was praised for his technical expertise, excellent management skills and interpersonal relations and also commended for championing Pan African policies, building partnerships, mobilising resources and capacities of staff.

He on his part highlighted the achievements made by the Department in the two strategic areas of intervention notably agriculture and food security and environment and natural resources, stressing the sustaining of the CAADP Momentum and the development of the AU Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Africa Agriculture Growth and Transformation. He also underscored the role of the Department in the formulation of Africa's common position and establishment of a unified structure for global climate change negotiations where Africa has since spoken with one voice. He saluted the leadership of Her Excellency Tumusiime Rhoda Peace and thanked her for the confidence and support throughout his tenure. He also thanked the staff of the Department for the productive team work.

Dr. Abebe was accompanied to this party by his wife and children. The Department staff offered him souvenirs.

Media Contact

Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC; molalett@africa-union.org

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 | Ethiopia

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