Events
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December 03, 2013
THE AU 2050 AFRICA’S INTEGRATED MARITIME STRATEGY TASK FORCE VISITING PORTUGUESE MARITIME FACILITIES
Lisbon, December 3, 2013 - At the invitation of the Portuguese Government, a delegation from the African Union (AU) 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy) Task Force was sent to Lisbon, Portugal in order to learn from the Portuguese experience and expertise because, as a nation made of 3% of land and 97% of waters, Portugal has a great deal of maritime know-how and technological expertise that could be transferred to Africa.
Led by the Coordinator of the 2050 AIM-Strategy Task Force, Mr. Samuel KAME-DOMGUIA, the AU delegation, from November 27 to December 3, 2013 had a workshop on Portuguese vast experience in Maritime Affairs and visited various Portuguese Maritime Institutions such as the Directorate-General for Maritime Policy (DGPM), the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (ISA), the Portuguese Navy Operational Command (NOC), the Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC), and the Directorate-General for Maritime Authority (DGAM).
Considering the AU’s Giant Aquarium Program and the Information Technology aspects of this visit, the AU delegation also undertook a field-work that led them to visiting key maritime infrastructures and facilities in Portugal such, as among others, the Fish and Oyster Production Unit in Algarve (in the Southern part of Portugal), the Earth Observation System (EOS), the Coastal Vessel Traffic Control Center (VTS), the Maritime Security Operations Center (COMAR), the “Luso” Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), the Survey Vessel (SV), and the Lisbon Oceanário (Giant Aquarium of Lisbon). These visits were motivated by the keen desire to learn from the Portuguese experiences and expertise so to better improve African perspectives on the implementation of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action.
For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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November 28, 2013
African Online Library on Law and Governance Launches
http://www.africanlawlibrary.net/
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 28 November 2013- With Africa’s economic growth rising more than any other part of the world to 5.6 percent in 2013, the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) has announced the launch of the African Online Library on Law and Governance (the African Law Library), an online database that digitizes and aims to improve access to modern and customary law texts, and to other legal documents and secondary sources on African law and governance. Organized by the African Innovation Foundation and Globethics.net Foundation, the event was hosted by the African Union Commission, today on Thursday 28 November 2013.
The African Law Library, implemented by Globethics.net, aims to be the leading online portal for African law and governance and is available free of charge. The library focuses on visibility, access, knowledge, education and the consolidation of the systems of law existing in African countries.
Opening the event, H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission said "African Online library on Law and Governance” as the inauguration of the library is one that is very close to the AU’s mandate, which aims to “an integrated, peaceful, prosperous Africa, driven by its own people to take its rightful place in the global community and the knowledge economy”.Mr. Mwencha also highlighted the role of education as a critical sector whose performance directly affects and even determines the quality and magnitude of Africa’s development. (The complete speech is available on www.au.int ).
“The AIF believes in the vision of an Africa without war, famine or poverty, which will allow its countries to stand on an equal footing with others in the global economy. The African Law Library will contribute to this effort by promoting good governance practices, while building a bridge between modern law and customary law to overcome colonial law,” said Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, AIF founder and initiator of the African Law Library.
The library was initiated in 2012 and will bring lawyers, the business sector, educators and government together to develop ownership in Africa through multidisciplinary research and interaction on comparative law. The online database can be found at: http://www.africanlawlibrary.net/About AIF
AIF supports innovations and other novel initiatives with potential of contributing to sustainable development of African countries. This includes supporting home-grown innovations, facilitating technology transfer as well as supporting other platforms that enhance the exchange of ideas and collaboration among researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, investors and policy makers. AIF also promotes transparent processes and procedures within the public sector and combat illegitimate appropriation and dissipation of resources within both the private and public domains. AIF’s areas of activity encompass programs & projects in the fields of: Innovation & Access to Technologies, Governance, Education & Culture and Health. For more information, please visit: http://www.africaninnovation.orgAbout Globethics.net
Globethics.net is a global network of persons and institutions interested in various fields of applied ethics. It offers access to a large number of resources on ethics, especially through its leading global digital ethics library and facilitates collaborative web-based research, conferences, online publishing and information sharing. The aim of Globethics.net is to ensure that people in all regions of the world are empowered to reflect and act on ethical issues. In order to ensure access to knowledge resources in applied ethics, Globethics.net has developed its Globethics.net Library, the leading global digital library on ethics. For more information, please visit: www.globethics.netAbout the African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Learn more at: http://www.au.int.###
For further information contact
Ms. Penny Lüthi |African Law Library |Phone: +41 44515 5460|E:mail: P.Luethi@africaninnovation.org; web: www.africaninnovation.org
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke | Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I Phone +2511911-630631 | E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org; web: www.au.int
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November 13, 2013
Addis Ababa, 13 November 2013 – The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Erastus Mwencha on 13 November 2013 received in audience a delegation of the Africa All Parliamentary Group in the UK Parliament led by Lord Steel, on a working visit to the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The other members of the delegation were Lord Chidgey, Lord Cameron, Mrs. Victoria Crawford and Mrs. Tamar.
The personalities exchanged on possible cooperation between the African Union and the UK in different development area including agriculture and infrastructure. The parliamentarians were very interested in the promotion of agriculture in Africa especially as the year 2014 has been proclaimed year of Agriculture by the African Heads of State and Government.
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November 10, 2013
2013 MO IBRAHIM FOUNDATION FORUM: THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN BLUE ECONOMY
Addis Ababa, November 10, 2013 - The 2013 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Forum was held at the African Union (AU) Commission Headquarters on November 10, 2013 under the Theme: “Africa Ahead: The Next 50 Years”. This theme was in line with the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU and aimed to spell out major opportunities and specific policy challenges the continent will have to address over the next 50 years. Present at this continent-wide ceremony were high profile African personalities such as, among others, H.E. Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the AU, H.E. Dr. Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Dr. Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, H.E. Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank Group, H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, former Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, former Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), H.E. Mr. Trevor Manuel, Minister in the Presidency in charge of National Planning Commission, South Africa, and H.E. Dr. Mo Ibrahim himself, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
In her opening note, H.E. Dr. Zuma highlighted, among others, the importance of promoting Africa’s Blue Economy and Blue Growth by stating: “To the Green Economy, we must add the Blue Economy, namely maritime resources and the all economy around the maritime industry,” a sine qua non condition to Africa’s true and meaningful renaissance that guarantees, protects and advances the socio-economic interests of African populations.
Such a statement from the Chairperson of the AU Commission reveals the extent to which the maritime dimension and the Blue Economy in Africa’s Renaissance hold a prominent place in her mandate to elaborate the AU 2063 Agenda, a global Strategy aimed at optimizing the use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all Africans. By the same token, she exhorts African leaders and policy-makers to take ownership of African Maritime Domain.
It is therefore in line with this goal that the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy), an African comprehensive and integrative vision, has been developed by the AU Commission with the conviction that Africa’s socio-economic development highly depends on her Maritime industry, Blue Economic and Blue Growth for the benefit of future African generations.
For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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November 04, 2013AU-EU Relations: A Fruitful Workshop Held between the Task Force of the African Union 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime...AU-EU RELATIONS : A FRUITFUL WORKSHOP HELD BETWEEN THE TASK FORCE OF THE AFRICAN UNION 2050 AFRICA’S INTEGRATED MARITIME STRATEGY AND EXPERTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
Addis Ababa, November 4, 2013 - Experts from the European Union (EU) were sent by Brussels, through the Support Mechanism of Africa-EU Partnership, to the Headquarters of the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss, share experiences and prospect viable ways of cooperation with respect to the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy).
The EU expert mission was led by Vice-Admirals Patrick Hebrard, Anthony Dymock and Fernando del Pozo. For four (4) days (28 October – 1st November 2013), this delegation had an intense workshop with the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy) Task Force so to first get to know more about the content of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, then learn from African perspectives on how the continent is strategically planning to address the challenges and opportunities of its inland waters, seas and oceans, and by the same token provide recommendations and suggestions based upon their experience and expertise in order to better improve the 2050 AIM-Strategy. The two (2) parties agreed that an efficient and effective implementation of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action would provide socio-economic benefits to the African populations through enhanced safety and security.
The Africa-EU partnership facilitated the mission and enabled exchanges between the AU Task Force and the Vice-Admirals who work as the Wise Pens. The Wise Pens International provides in-depth independent analysis, authoritative orientation and advice to governmental and non-governmental institutions in maritime-related affairs, together with strategies and solutions to address the challenging waves leading to a safe, secure and stable maritime domain that will guarantee a sustainable Blue Economy and Blue Growth.
For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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October 29, 2013
Meeting between DCP H. E Mwencha and the Vice Governor of the China Development Bank Mr. Yuan Li
AUC Deputy Chairperson Calls for greater Sino African collaboration.
Beijing 29th October 2013: The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission has called for closer relations between China and Africa to exploit the potential that Africa has to offer. He noted that Africa has opportunities and shares a lot in common with china and this calls for serious cooperation and between the two sides.
The Deputy Chair person who is currently on a visit to the Peoples Republic of china at the invitation of the Ministry of Commerce made the call when he met with the vice Governor of the China Development Bank Mr. Yuan Li in Beijing on Tuesday.
The Vice Governor recounted the many areas of collaboration and Banks readiness to support AU’s continental integration projects like PIDA and also indicated that the bank was the principal portfolio holder of Chinese investments in Africa. The financing activities of the bank covered agriculture, roads, telecommunication, energy resources, and infrastructure and livelihood improvement projects.
The bank currently provides financing for 186 projects across Africa. According to the Vice Governor the loans and investments of the CDB has directly created over 47000 job opportunities in Africa and called for a partnership with the AUC for a shared future.
His Excellency Mr. Mwencha in his response thanked the bank for the effort and interest it has demonstrated in Africa. He noted that China is unique in the sense that it exports, Capital, technology Goods and labor. At the moment however the greatest need for Africa is capital.
Africa needs to invest at least 30% of GDP to ensure sustained growth of at least 7%, which it is estimated, will help Africa to generate the needed drive to transform its economy. Traditionally the Western countries have been Africa’s source of capital investment but events of the last decade clearly show that this will not be sustainable. Therefore China and Africa offers new opportunities that the two parties can explore. He extended an official invitation to Mr. Yuan Li to visit the AU headquarters and to hold further talks on areas of mutual interest.
He noted that the future is very promising, China and Africa share a lot and what is needed is for the two partners to hold each others hands and march forward to progress. -
October 29, 2013
Deputy Chairperson of the African Union calls for the Establishment of a China Africa Business Forum
Beijing 29th October 2013: The Deputy Chairperson of the AUC H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha has called for the establishment of a China Africa Business Forum.
The DCP was speaking at a seminar organized by the China Development Bank for a cross section of the Chinese business community with interest in Africa. About twenty companies from different sectors ranging from construction of railways to agriculture, energy, ICT, real estate light and heavy industries were represented. The DCP was accompanied by Ambassador Fantahun from the Office of the Chairperson and Dr. Fareed Arthur, Advisor to the DCP on Strategic Matters
Dr. Shi Jiyang, Deputy Director of CBD and Board Director of the China Africa Development Fund chaired the seminar. He indicated that the seminar was organized to give the DCP an opportunity to share some insights with Chinese investors in African and to find ways of improving relations. Representatives of the various companies made presentations on their investments in Africa and shared some of the challenges they experience. This includes the need to harmonize customs procedures and reduce cost of doing business in Africa. Other challenges included the difficulty to sometimes locate the right professional skills to partner investments in Africa and the differences in interest rates in Africa.
The Deputy Chairperson acknowledged these challenges and pointed out that some of the challenges were a result of the complex international trade architecture, which includes subsidies to farmers in advanced countries. This tended to reduce the competitiveness of Africa commodities like cotton. He noted however, that on most of these issues China and Africa shared common positions at world forums like the WTO and should continue to work together. He further advised the business community on Africa's priorities and expectations especially in value addition, creating jobs and skills transfer in order to achieve sustainable development.
On other issues like reducing cost of doing business in Africa and also developing the right professional skills to support Chinese investment in Africa, the DCP suggested the formation of a China Africa business forum under the auspices of he bank and the AUC to bring together Chinese businesses and their African counterparts and governments to facilitate and promote mutual interests.
Earlier the DCP met with the Vice President of China Development Bank where both shared experiences and complementarities of the two economies.. The Vice President indicated that CDB was in advanced stages of approving some 72 projects in 30 countries valued at $ 2.6 billion.
Finally he thanked the CBD and the business representatives for the rich sharing of ideas and indicated the African Union Commission’s commitment to work closely with China to promote Sino African cooperation. -
October 09, 2013
AUC Deputy Chairperson Meets UNIDO Director General
Addis Ababa, 9th October 2013-: The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Erastus Mwencha received UNIDO new Director General Mr. LI Yong.
During the meeting, Mr. LI said that UNIDO attached great importance to Africa's development in general and to assisting the Least Developed Countries in particular. He stressed that "the world needs today a development model that ensures prosperity for all, safeguards human dignity and provides jobs for the youth”. He also indicated that in the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2015 Development Agenda, it urges to open doors for Africa's inclusive sustainable industrial development in order to ensure transformative growth and poverty reduction in the continent.
He took the opportunity to invite the African Union Commission to participate at the fifteenth session of the General Conference of UNIDO which will take place from 2nd to 6th December, 2013 in Lima, Peru.
H.E Erastus Mwencha expressed his personal appreciation to the new Director General, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Commission, for choosing Africa and the AU as his first destination upon appointment.
He further noted that this gesture of friendship serves as a wakeup call for Africa, which remains the least industrialized continent.
He stressed the need for greater Industrialization in Africa and having a good understanding of UNIDO and its mechanism. The Deputy Chairperson said he was confident the common industrialization goal of Africa would be achieved.
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September 24, 2013
PRESS STATEMENT
The deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, HE Erastus Mwencha received HE. Beata Stelmach, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs in Poland Jacek Jankowsky accompanied by Mrs., Krizystof Olendzki and Piotr Mysliwiec, respectively Ambassador of Poland to the African Union, Director of Africa and Middle East Department and Head of Division, Africa and Middle East Department at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland.
While presenting her condolences and sympathy to the Kenyan people after the recent shaking events, Mrs. Stelmach stressed the importance her country attaches to cooperation with Africa in all areas. Poland is now seeking to turn to Africa as part of their program called "Go Africa" which essentially aims to share with African countries the Polish experience in the field of development and contribute to the progress of the Continent while ensuring that such cooperation is accompanied by a transfer of technology and know-how.
On his part, the Deputy Chairperson congratulated the Polish Republic for this excellent initiative that will no doubt reinforce the continuing cooperation already underway with Poland. He also indicated that Africa greatly appreciate the support of Poland to Africa in areas where Poland has a long experience and skills such as infrastructure, science and technology.
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September 21, 2013
PRESS STATEMENT
The Deputy Chairperson Of the African Union Commission H.E Erastus Mwencha has paid tribute to the people of Mali for conducting a peaceful and democratic election. The Deputy Chairperson also thanked the international Community for supporting the Malian people following the coup d’état and during the crisis in the north of Mali, which threatened to plunge the country into a full-scale civil war.
He challenged Malians to press on with the unfinished agenda of national reconciliation and development issues.
The Deputy Chairperson was in Bamako attending the inauguration of H.E the President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and met with the Minister Of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zahabi Ould Mohamed and the Minister of National Reconciliation in charge of the North, Mr. Cheick Oumar Diarra.
H.E Mr. Pierre Buyoya, formal President of Burundi who is heading the African Mission to Mali, accompanied H.E Mr. Mwencha.Mr. Mwencha pledged the African Union continued support to Mali in the peace making, reconciliation and reconstruction.
African Union through AFISMA deployed a military force composed of more 7000 elements and H. E Mr. Mwencha reiterated that African Union would continue supporting Mali as defined by the Malian Authorities.
More than 19 Heads of State and Government, among them the French President François Hollande and the King of Morocco, H. M. Mohamed Hassan VI, attended the inauguration.
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September 13, 2013
Deputy Chairperson meets San Marino delegation to discuss on areas of cooperation
Addis Ababa, 13 September 2013– The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Erastus Mwencha met with the delegations of the Republic of San Marino, led by their Excellencies Captains Regent, Ms Antonella Mularoni and Mr. Denis Amici, on 13 September 2013, in his office at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Welcoming the initiative taken by the Government of San Marino to explore avenues of cooperation with the African continent, Mr. Mwencha highlighted the key areas that the African Union is promoting the continent in the world; such as integration; development; and peace and security. In particular, he emphasized Africa’s fast growth in the past 10 years and stressed the continent’s strong position in the concert of nations thanks, to the actions of the African Union.
H.E Ms. Antonella Mularoni expressed satisfaction at being in Africa and for being received at the African Union. Amongst other issues, the two parties discussed on possible areas of collaboration between the African Union and the government of San Marino particularly, on development of infrastructure and science and technology.
Mr. Corrado Carattoni, and Mr. Marco Arzilli, respectively Plenipotentiary Minister, Responsible for Communication at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Industry, Handicraft and Trade, stressed that the African Union is a window of opportunity for the government of San Marino to better collaborate with African countries on different areas of interest.
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August 02, 2013The 387th Peace and Security Council Meeting Supports the Call by the Yaoundé Summit to Elaborate and Adopt a Regional...THE 387TH PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING SUPPORTS THE CALL BY THE YAOUNDÉ SUMMIT TO ELABORATE AND ADOPT A REGIONAL STRATEGY IN LINE WITH THE AU 2050 AIM-STRATEGY
Press Release Nº 124/2013Addis Ababa, August 2, 2013 – On July 29, 2013, the Conclusions of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Commission of the Gulf of Guinea (CGG) on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea, which took place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on June 24-25, 2013, were at the heart of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) during its 387th meeting, held at the Ministerial level.
The PSC commended the Heads of State and Government of the ECCAS, the ECOWAS, and the CGG for their historic approach aimed at boosting maritime safety and security in African Maritime Domain.
Welcoming with great satisfaction the activities of the Yaoundé Summit, the Ministers called upon the ECCAS, the ECOWAS, the CGG, and other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the continent to elaborate and adopt regional strategies in line with the AU 2050 AIM-Strategy for the sake of strengthening the security and safety of African Maritime Domain.The PSC thus reiterated the pertinence of the 2050 AIM-Strategy as a very innovative and comprehensive tool that will undoubtedly contribute to advance Africa’s agenda in the challenging waves leading to a safe, secured and stable African Maritime Domain, and guaranteeing therefore a sustainable Blue Economy and Blue Growth referred to by the Council as “a new frontline of Africa's renaissance.” (To review the full Communiqué, please Click http://pages.au.int/maritime/events/communique-peace-and-security-counci...)
For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy, please visit www.au.int/maritime.