Istanbul, Turkey, 25 May 2016- The African Union Commission (AUC) successfully participated in an exhibition at the sidelines of the World Humanitarian Summit which took place on 23-24 May 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. The African Union exhibition highlighted Africa’s challenges and stories in humanitarian action that reinforces collective spirit of solidarity and collaboration that exist between the African Union (AU), Member States, Regional Economic Communities, women and youth groups, private sector, Civil Society, the Diaspora and African people. The AU stand was a crowd puller as it attracted many delegates during the exhibition. The venue used by the AU was highly branded by AU symbols, messages and publications.

The Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Erastus Mwencha and H.E. Dr Aisha .L. Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs (DPA) of the AUC officially opened the exhibition booth on 23 May 2016. During their visit, they were briefed by the DPA officials on the publication, pictures and videos on display. Among the key documents on display were the Common Africa Position, African’s support to the fight against Ebola, The African Union handbook, and a host of other key documents highlighting the achievements of Africa in humanitarian actions as well as Africa’s solution to African problems.

On the second day of the exhibition, Commissioner Dr Aisha .L. Abdullahi on behalf of the Commission welcomed government representatives from Uganda, Liberia and Nigeria among other AU Member States as she presented and explained in detail the documents and items on display on the AU stand to the delegation . She focused on the Common Africa Position (CAP) “The Common African Position was adopted by the African Union Member States after a wide consultations across the continent…Africa is the only region that presented its common position on humanitarian effectiveness, the UN Secretary general and chief H.E. Dr Aisha .L. Abdullahi (right) with Mr. Tawio Abidogun (Center) Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigeria in the African Union exhibition booth at the World Humanitarian Summit.Humanitarian actors in the world commended the African union for this great achievement” underlined the Commissioner. She

added that, the AU is proud to provide such a constructive document which the United Nations (UN) Secretary General said will be useful in completing the UN Secretary General’s report on Humanitarian effectiveness in the World.

The Commissioner and her delegation also visited other exhibition booth that highlighted the plight of Africa’s forgotten crises such as the one on Western Sahara refugee crisis, where she viewed some pictures depicting the 40 Faces, 40 Years – A Life Time in Exile. A photo exhibition showing faces of people from one year old to present date. Same images were also displayed at the AU headquarters recently. The Commissioner noted that, “The Western Sahara refugee are the most resilient people she had ever come across in the world as they lived in very difficult conditions and have been displaced for the last 40 years but they have hope for a better life in a prosperous and peaceful Africa”. Other issues highlighted in the exhibition included the Darfur and Central Africa crises.

Other exhibition visited included the United Nations Population Fund, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), The Humanitarian Advisory Group and the International Committee of the Red Cross among others.

Note to Editor

The Common African Position (CAP) represents Africa’s appreciation and it’s understanding of the humanitarian landscape and the required intervention that is necessary for achieving sustainable solutions to humanitarian crises. It also emphasizes the primary responsibility of Member States in humanitarian response. It calls for strengthening of State capabilities particularly in ensuring that States play a central role in providing security to affected populations and relief workers and in guaranteeing humanitarian space. http://www.au.int/en/newsevents/29543/african-union-high-level-panel-hum...

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For further information:

Esther Azaa Tankou | Ag. Director of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: Yamboue@african-union.org I Tel: +251 911361185

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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