Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 28 September 2016 – A ground breaking ceremony was held today for the AU Integrated Service Centre marking the strengthening cooperation between the AU and the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was held as part of the AU celebrations to commemorate the establishment of the African Union as per the Sirte Declaration of 9th September 1999.

The new complex is a grant from the People’s Republic of China and represents yet another milestone in the continental developmental partnership strategy consolidated by the 2014 visit of the Chinese Prime Minister and the successful inauguration of the AUC Conference Centre (AUCCC).

The project is a multi-storey building of 22.02m height with a site area of 6462m2, a total plot area of 16,170.74 m2 and comprising of 3 floors and a mezzanine. The completion of the building will further improve the attached facilities and functions of the AUCCC.

The ceremony was led by the Chairperson of the AUC and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Addis Ababa, who in their respective welcoming remarks, acknowledged the fruitful cooperation and expressed their desire to strengthen existing continental development and cooperation in line with Agenda 2063. The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Chairperson of the AUC H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, the representative of the contracted company as well as other high ranking AU officials and stakeholders.

/MFM

For further information:

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