Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 19th May 2013: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has called for the general acceptance and understanding about the rise of Africa over the last five decades in terms of economic growth, public investment, infrastructure and regional integration as well as improvement in democracy and governance, peace and stability and some human development indicators among others.

Dr .Zuma was speaking today, Sunday 19th May 2013, at the official opening ceremony of the 26th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme of “Pan- Africanism and African Renaissance”

The opening ceremony took place in the presence of the Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, Mr. Erastus Mwencha, AUC Commissioners, and representatives from the diplomatic corps, the international community, the civil society, the private sector and invited guests among others.

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, in her address to the session highlighted the fact that the OAU/AU founders had to construct newly independent states and develop a vision and plans for continental integration, on the foundation of the fragmentation and the destruction caused by centuries of colonization. (The AUC Chairperson’s full is available on the AU website: www.au.int)

The Chairperson of the PRC and permanent representative of Ethiopia to the AU, Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis expressed the hope in her opening remarks, that the current and future generations of Africans will rise up to the many challenges and work hard to realize the dreams of the founding fathers for a peaceful, prosperous and united Africa.

Ambassador Sinegiorgis said "we all know that the last fifty years have been fraught with so many challenges but, through it all, we are very proud of our achievements". Fifty years ago, much of Africa was still under the yoke of colonialism and apartheid and today it is gratifying to note that the continent has been liberated from all forms of subjugation, she added. (The Ambassador’s full speech is available on the AU website: www.au.int)
In their two-day meeting, the Ambassadors will exchange views on specific reports including the reports of the Advisory Sub-committee on administrative, budgetary and financial matters; sub-committee on programmes and conferences; sub-committee on structures; multilateral cooperation; economic and trade matters; sub-committee on contributions; and the progress report on the draft Strategic Plan 2014-2017 for the African Union Commission among others.

The Ambassadors will also consider the working documents and draft decisions in preparation for the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council which will hold on 22nd and 23rd May 2013.
The PRC’s 26th Ordinary Session will end its deliberations on Monday 20th May 2013, and will submit its report to the Executive Council for adoption.

For more information, please visit the African Union website: www.au.int and visit the 21st Summit web page of the AU at the following link: http://summits.au.int/en/21stsummit/

Journalists are invited to cover the official closing ceremony of the 26th Ordinary Session of the PRC.