WHAT: 35TH Ordinary Session of the Executive Council. The meeting is one of the statutory meetings of the 12th Extra Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), which will see the launch of the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the holding of the 1st Consultative Meeting between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

Highlights for journalists at the opening session of the Executive Council meeting:
• Opening Remarks by the Chairperson of the Executive Council (5 minutes)
• Welcome Remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad of the Republic of Niger (5 minutes)
• Statement by the Chairperson of the AU Commission (5 minutes)
• Statement by the Executive Secretary of UNECA (5 minutes)
• Opening Statement by the Chairperson of the Executive Council (5 minutes)
• Group Photo for Ministers, together with Members of the Commission (10 minutes)
• Interview opportunities

WHEN: 4th to 5th July 2019, starting at 09:30 on the 4th of July

WHERE: Niamey, Niger

WHO: The meeting of the Executive Council is hosted by the African Union and precedes that of the Heads of State and Government.

Accredited journalists are invited to cover the opening session of the meeting of the Executive Council. Guidelines for media are available on https://au.int/sites/default/files/documents/36757-doc-media_advisory_no...

For additional information on the meeting:
Mrs. Wynne Musabayana, Head of Communication; African Union Commission; E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org

For interviews: Mr. Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication; AU Commission; Tel: 0911- 630631; Email: molalett@africa-union.org