DOCSLIB.ORG

20 Ordinary Session of the Au Assembly Opens with A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
20 Ordinary Session of the Au Assembly Opens with A SPECIAL EDIITION FOR THE 20TH AU SUMMIT Issue 06, January 28, 2013 WATCH SUMMIT EVENTS LIVE ON: www.au.int th 20 th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AU ASSEMBLY OPENS WITH A FOCUS ON PANAFRICANISM AND AFRICAN RENAISSANCE “Today we look to the future calmly, confidently and courageously”, nent. He reiterated the UN’s commitment to help the people of said Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Mali “This is a moral imperative for all in the international com- Commission (AUC), while addressing the 20th Ordinary Session of the munity…..I am personally committed to ensuring that the United Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on 27 Nations stands ready, once the regrettably necessary combat January 2013 at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, operations are over, to undertake a major system-wide effort for Ethiopia. The Summit, bringing together Heads of State and Government peace-building, governance and security sector reform, physi- or their accredited representatives is holding under the theme: “Pan- cal reconstruction, and regional cooperation” he emphasised. Africanism and African Renaissance”. A minute of silence was observed at the opening ceremony in memory of late President John Atta Mills of Mr. Ban Ki-Moon said the United Nations is proud to support Ghana and late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative. “I hope all African countries will continue to contribute to progress on Referring to the theme of the Summit and the 50th anniversary climate change and my Sustainable Energy for all Initiative, as celebration of the Organisation of African Union (OAU) created this can open the way for enormous gains” he underscored. on 25 May 1963, the AUC Chairperson explained that, the spirit of Pan-Africanism and the ideals of the African Renaissance will Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestine National Author- propel its citizens towards an integrated, people-centred, pros- ity (PNA) and Chairman of Palestine Liberation Organisation Ex- perous Africa at peace with itself. She added that it is this spirit ecutive Committee congratulated the AU for the achievements and ideals that inspired the adoption of the Lagos Plan of Action by many African countries in the promotion of governance and in 1980, the Abuja Treaty in 1990 and NEPAD in 2001. According democracy which has led to economic growth. He also com- to Dr. Dlamini-Zuma, “the African dream is not only achievable mended the Union’s efforts in the consolidation of peace and but it can be done in a shorter time.” security as well as conflict resolution on the continent. To secure decent livelihoods and the free movement of people, He expressed gratitude at the adoption of the request of the goods and services, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma said, “we must accel- Palestinian State to have observer status at the UN General As- erate integration and connectivity”. She expressed satisfac- sembly. tion with the progress on the implementation of the priority in- frastructure projects of PIDA in the areas of transport, energy New African Presidents welcomed and ICT. The Chairperson of the AUC further underscored the The Assembly welcomed newly elected presidents and each need for the Union to enhance youth and women’s develop- of them took the floor to present a vote of thanks. They are: ment alongside education. “The Pan African University and the President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana and general expansion of our higher education sector will equip our President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of young people with critical abilities to drive innovation, sciences, Somalia. entrepreneurship, research, social development and industriali- zation”, she underlined. Former AUC Commissioners honoured In conclusion, honorary awards were presented to the former Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Commissioners of the African Union by the new Chairperson of recalled in his speech, that Africa is the world’s youngest conti- the Union and the AUC Chairperson. Summit Ends with Strong Decisions and Declarations by AU Heads of States on Crucial and Topical Issues on the Continent The Heads of State also decided to create the Pan-African Intel- The 20th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit lectual Property Organization (PAIPO). They requested the Com- held under the theme: “Pan-Africanism and African Renais- mission to convene a meeting of all stakeholders dealing with sance” ended Monday 28 January 2013 at the AU headquarters intellectual property in the implementation of the Decision by in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the adoption by the AU Heads of May 2013 Summit. State and Government of a number of Assembly Decisions and Declarations. On the coordination of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and Africa’s In his closing remarks, the newly elected Chairperson of the Af- preparation for cop 19/CMP 9 rican Union, Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, expressed satisfaction The Heads of States acknowledged the need for further refine at the active participation of all the Heads of States and Gov- and streamline the coordination mechanism for CAHOSCC. ernment in the discussions on various issues of interest to the They endorsed the coordination function of CAHOSCC as fol- continent. “Your valuable comments and contributions have no lows: doubt enriched our debate and informed the decisions that we have adopted on a myriad of issues. The following decisions i) Coordination of CAHOSCC rotates for a period of two (2) years were adopted among others: for two Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); On refocusing the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to ii) Country of the host of the Presidency of the African Ministerial support the transformation agenda of the African Union, the Conference on Environment (AMCEN) to serve as the Coordina- Heads of States urged the Secretary-General of the United Na- tor at the Summit level to enhance linkage between the AMCEN tions to provide the required support to ECA to enhance its work processes to CAHOSCC in addition to providing the necessary in accordance with Africa’s priorities. support given the nature of expectations at this level; and iii) The President of the African Ministerial Conference on En- On the creation of the African Observatory on Science, Tech- vironment (AMCEN) to serve as Coordinator at the Ministerial nology and Innovation (AOSTI) to be hosted by the Republic of level; Equatorial Guinea, the Heads of State endorsed the project. iv) Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change They called on Member States and Development partners to (AGN) experts elected at the UNFCCC forum serves as Coordi- avail the necessary technical and financial support for sustain- nator at the Experts’ level. ing the AOSTI and its programmes. 2 On the establishment of an “international constitutional court” On the hosting of a special follow-up summit on the Abuja 2001 The Heads of States requested the African Union Commission African Union Summit on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other re- on International Law to examine the proposed establishment of lated infectious diseases in the third quarter (july/august) of 2013 an International Constitutional Court and make recommenda- The Assembly welcomed and endorsed the offer by the Federal tions to the 22nd Session of the Assembly of Heads of State Republic of Nigeria to host a Special Follow-Up Summit on the and Government of the African Union (January 2014) on the said Abuja 2001 African union summit on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and proposal other related infectious diseases in the third quarter of 2013. On the integration of the new Africa- Asia Strategic Partnership On the south-south and triangular coalition in support of Africa- (NAASP) into African Union structures and processes post 2015 The Assembly requested the Commission to take the necessary The Assembly took note of the proposal by the Republic of steps towards the integration of the New Africa-Asia Strategic Guinea relating to the creation of a South-South and Triangular Partnership (NAASP) into the African Union structures and pro- Coalition in support of Africa Post 2015; it approved in principle cesses. the creation of a South/South and Triangular Coalition to assist Africa within the framework of its Post 2015 Agenda. On the representation of local communities in organs of the Af- rican Union On the report of the Committee of Ten on UN Reform The Assembly requested the Commission to submit a compre- The Assembly reiterated that the Committee of ten remains hensive report on the opportunity, feasibility, relevance and im- seized of this matter until Africa achieves its objectives on the plications, including financial ones, of the proposal at the Janu- reform of the UN Security Council and requested the Committee ary 2014 Summit. to present a report to the Twenty-first Ordinary Session of the Assembly in July 2013. On the reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality and morbidity in Africa On the Declaration of solidarity with Algeria following the terror- The Assembly requested that the Ministers of Health of the Af- ist attack on Gazier site in Amenas, the Assembly condemned rican Union examine the progress made regarding the state of with utmost firmness the “cowardly and vicious act of aggres- maternal, newborn and child health, map out concrete and inno- sion against a member state of the African Union. vative strategies at a larger scale in order to adequately address the health needs of African women and children and submit a On the Declaration on Palestine, the Assembly welcomed the report to the 21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Managing Ethiopia's Transition
    Managing Ethiopia’s Unsettled Transition $IULFD5HSRUW1 _ )HEUXDU\ +HDGTXDUWHUV ,QWHUQDWLRQDO&ULVLV*URXS $YHQXH/RXLVH %UXVVHOV%HOJLXP 7HO )D[ EUXVVHOV#FULVLVJURXSRUJ Preventing War. Shaping Peace. Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... i I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 II. Anatomy of a Crisis ........................................................................................................... 2 A. Popular Protests and Communal Clashes ................................................................. 3 B. The EPRDF’s Internal Fissures ................................................................................. 6 C. Economic Change and Social Malaise ....................................................................... 8 III. Abiy Ahmed Takes the Reins ............................................................................................ 12 A. A Wider Political Crisis .............................................................................................. 12 B. Abiy’s High-octane Ten Months ................................................................................ 15 IV. Internal Challenges and Opportunities ............................................................................ 21 A. Calming Ethnic and Communal Conflict ..................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Africa Union Handbook
    African Union Handbook African THE YEAR OF REFUGEES, RETURNEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa The logo for the 2019 Theme of the Year has been built around the crisis facing refugees in Africa. New Zealand is proud to once again partner with the African Union “Whereas migration is a common Commission to produce the latest version of the African Union Handbook. phenomenon as people have always relocated for various reasons, in the With new and updated information about the Union, its organs and related case of Africa, the continent is painted as a miserable place bodies, the Handbook serves as a factual and concise reference guide to all because migration is as a result of aspects of the African Union and its Commission, and remains an invaluable civil strife, poverty and a myriad of tool for anyone working with, and within, the AU system. other factors, thereby promoting the narrative that Africa cannot care for Through its ambitious integration agenda, African Union members have its people. Africa knows how to take care of its own in each regard no committed themselves to aspire to a world where international connections matter what, and many African between peoples and nations are the most powerful tools for creating countries continue to welcome and prosperous societies based on inclusive growth and sustainable development. host refugees while working to resolve the issues that caused them At a time when the need for collective global action and multilateralism has to flee their homes. never been clearer, New Zealand expresses its profound respect to the African For the 2019 Theme, an identity has Union for its commitments made under Agenda 2063 towards achieving an been developed of a mother with integrated, inclusive and united Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Press Release
    AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P.O.Box:3243 Tel. (251-1) 51 38 22 Fax: (251-1) 51 93 21 Email: [email protected] PRESS RELEASE AU CHAIRPERSON HOLDS HIGH LEVEL CONSULTATIONS ON THE MARGINS OF THE LONDON CONFERENCE ON SOMALIA Addis Ababa, 11 May 2017: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat held high level consultations on the margins of the London Conference on Somalia. The Chairperson of the AUC met with H.E , Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, H. E Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The Chairperson of the AU Commission further met with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Boris Johnson, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Bert Koenders, Denmark's State Secretary for international cooperation, Martin Bille. He also held bilateral discussions with the Vice President of the European Union Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini and the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul-Gheit. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat underlined the need to redouble efforts in support of Somalia to allow the administration of H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to overcome the many challenges facing the country. He stressed the importance to support the full implementation of the newly adopted national security architecture in order to stand up Somalia security forces as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)'s exit strategy.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethnolinguistic Favoritism in African Politics ONLINE APPENDIX
    Ethnolinguistic Favoritism in African Politics ONLINE APPENDIX Andrew Dickensy For publication in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics yBrock University, Department of Economics, 1812 Sir Issac Brock Way, L2S 3A2, St. Catharines, ON, Canada (email: [email protected]). 1 A Data Descriptions, Sources and Summary Statistics A.1 Regional-Level Data Description and Sources Country-language groups: Geo-referenced country-language group data comes from the World Language Mapping System (WLMS). These data map information from each language in the Ethnologue to the corresponding polygon. When calculating averages within these language group polygons, I use the Africa Albers Equal Area Conic projection. Source: http://www.worldgeodatasets.com/language/ Linguistic similarity: I construct two measures of linguistic similarity: lexicostatistical similarity from the Automatic Similarity Judgement Program (ASJP), and cladistic similar- ity using Ethnologue data from the WLMS. I use these to measure the similarity between each language group and the ethnolinguistic identity of that country's national leader. I discuss how I assign a leader's ethnolinguistic identity in Section 1 of the paper. Source: http://asjp.clld.org and http://www.worldgeodatasets.com/language/ Night lights: Night light intensity comes from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). My measure of night lights is calculated by averaging across pixels that fall within each WLMS country-language group polygon for each year the night light data is available (1992-2013). To minimize area distortions I use the Africa Albers Equal Area Conic pro- jection. In some years data is available for two separate satellites, and in all such cases the correlation between the two is greater than 99% in my sample.
    [Show full text]
  • Jean Devlin Compiled with Data from CORE
    خارطة ا�خاطر Africa: The next generation, hope and the nation By Jean Devlin Compiled with data from CORE The disparity between the advanced ages of many African leaders and the youthful populations over which they preside is remarkable: the average age of African heads of state is currently 65, about ten years older than the average age of current EU heads of state or US presidents on election. The demographic pressures that come from below have undoubtedly been influencing how political leaders respond to the demands of their citizens, a trend long highlighted in our RiskMap analysis. With one of Africa’s longest-standing and oldest leaders, Robert Mugabe, now swept from power in Zimbabwe (as we anticipated in RiskMap 2017), it is a timely moment to ask how political leadership is changing in response to these pressures and who will emerge in the next generation. Political transitions can be unsettling, but are likely to become more common. Anticipating and preparing for how they will affect business is essential for success in 2018 and beyond. We have identified five key power dynamics to watch in the coming year. Source: Control Risks CORE © Control Risks 2017 Country Head of Country Head of state age Country median age state age median age Equatorial Guinea* 75 19.6 90 Cameroon* 84 18.5 80 Uganda* 73 15.7 70 Sudan* 73 19.6 60 Chad* 65 17.6 Age 50 Congo (Brazzaville)* 73 19.7 40 Eritrea* 71 19.4 30 Nigeria 74 18.3 20 Ghana 73 21 10 South Africa 75 26.8 Cameroon Uganda Sudan Chad Eritrea Nigeria Ghana US Japan Germany Guinea Equatorial South Africa of Congo Republic US 71 37.9 Japan 63 46.9 Germany 63 46.8 *Have been in power for more than two decades Country Copyright © Control Risks.
    [Show full text]
  • High-Level Steering Group for Every Woman Every Child
    HIGH-LEVEL STEERING GROUP FOR EVERY WOMAN EVERY CHILD MEMBERSHIP LIST CO-CHAIRS António Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations, took office on 1st January 2017. Having witnessed the suffering of the most vulnerable people on earth, in refugee camps and in war zones, the Secretary-General is determined to make human dignity the core of his work, and to serve as a peace broker, a bridge-builder and a promoter of reform and innovation. Prior to his appointment as Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December António Guterres 2015, heading one of the world’s foremost humanitarian Secretary-General of the United organizations during some of the most serious displacement crises in Nations decades. Before joining UNHCR, Mr. Guterres spent more than 20 years in government and public service. He served as prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, during which time he was heavily involved in the international effort to resolve the crisis in East Timor. As president of the European Council in early 2000, he led the adoption of the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs, and co-chaired the first European Union-Africa summit. He was a member of the Portuguese Council of State from 1991 to 2002. Mr. Guterres was elected to the Portuguese Parliament in 1976 where he served as a member for 17 years. During that time, he chaired the Parliamentary Committee for Economy, Finance and Planning, and later the Parliamentary Committee for Territorial Administration, Municipalities and Environment. He was also leader of his party’s parliamentary group.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels Weekly Issue N° 17
    Newsletter 2 January 2014 Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels Weekly Issue N° 17 Ambassador Teshome Toga in Estonia, last month. Dear Reader, We are very pleased to send you the frst 2015 edition of our newsletter, where you can read fresh news and insights about recent developments concerning Ethiopia. You will also fnd the season’s greetings from Ambassador Teshome Toga attached to this newsletter. We wish you all a happy and successful new year for you, your family and the people close to you. Sincerely, The Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels Content Ugandan President Museveni in Ethiopia for a three day ofcial visit Ethiopia set to double its hydropower in July Mekelle University undertaking expansion with close to 3 billion birr Addis Light railway to go operational next month Ethiopian Connecting Africa to the world Agenda 1 Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels, 2 January 2015 Newsletter of the Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels − Weekly Issue No 17 Ugandan President Museveni in Ethiopia for a three day ofcial visit A high level delegation of Ethiopia and Uganda, led by unprecedented opportunities to use our comparative Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and President advantage for the betterment of the peoples of our Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held consultation on Friday sub-region.” He also noted that meager expansion of December 26 at National Palace on bilateral, regional infrastructure heavily reduced trade and investment and global matters of mutual interest. Prime Minister ties in the sub-region, stressing that both countries need to undertake projects aimed infrastructure linkages as bridges of closer cooperation and partnership through bilateral cooperation and through the implementation of the IGAD Minimum Integration Plan.
    [Show full text]
  • Coup D'etat Events, 1946-2012
    COUP D’ÉTAT EVENTS, 1946-2018 CODEBOOK Monty G. Marshall and Donna Ramsey Marshall Center for Systemic Peace July 25, 2019 Overview: This data list compiles basic descriptive information on all coups d’état occurring in countries reaching a population greater than 500,000 during the period 1946-2018. For purposes of this compilation, a coup d’état is defined as a forceful seizure of executive authority and office by a dissident/opposition faction within the country’s ruling or political elites that results in a substantial change in the executive leadership and the policies of the prior regime (although not necessarily in the nature of regime authority or mode of governance). Social revolutions, victories by oppositional forces in civil wars, and popular uprisings, while they may lead to substantial changes in central authority, are not considered coups d’état. Voluntary transfers of executive authority or transfers of office due to the death or incapacitance of a ruling executive are, likewise, not considered coups d’état. The forcible ouster of a regime accomplished by, or with the crucial support of, invading foreign forces is not here considered a coup d’état. The dataset includes four types of coup events: successful coups, attempted (failed) coups, coup plots, and alleged coup plots. In order for a coup to be considered “successful” effective authority must be exercised by new executive for at least one month. We are confident that the list of successful coups is comprehensive. Our confidence in the comprehensiveness of the coup lists diminishes across the remaining three categories: good coverage (reporting) of attempted coups and more questionable quality of coverage/reporting of coup plots (“discovered” and alleged).
    [Show full text]
  • Ethiopia: Prospects for Peace in Ogaden
    Ethiopia: Prospects for Peace in Ogaden Africa Report N°207 | 6 August 2013 International Crisis Group Headquarters Avenue Louise 149 1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 502 90 38 Fax: +32 2 502 50 38 [email protected] Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... i I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 II. Ogaden: Ethiopia’s Most Contested Territory ................................................................. 2 III. The ONLF and Federal Ethiopia ...................................................................................... 5 A. The ONLF and the EPRDF ........................................................................................ 5 B. Article 39 .................................................................................................................... 7 C. Amateur Insurgents ................................................................................................... 7 D. Local Governance Issues ............................................................................................ 9 IV. Externalisation of the Conflict ......................................................................................... 10 A. The Eritrean Factor .................................................................................................... 10 B. The Somali Factor .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Au Commission Chairperson
    AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P. O. Box 3243 Telephone: +251 11 551 7700 / +251 11 518 25 58/ Ext 2558 Website: www. au.int DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION PR No102/ 2012 AU COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON DLAMINI ZUMA OUTLINES AUC KEY PRIORITY AREAS Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 15 October 2012-The African Union Commission, as the secretariat of the African Union will seek to define and build a trajectory that extracts the continent from poverty to development, said Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, at her installation as the Commission’s Chairperson today, presided over by the Chairperson of the African Union, Dr Thomas Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin, in the presence of Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Commission will take pro-active steps to support member states and regional bodies in their efforts to promote, consolidate and expand citizen centered, developmental and democratic governance.This is in line with the African Union’s vision of achieving a prosperous, peaceful and integrated continent. In pursuing this African agenda, the Commission will take into account, the shared values of consistent political and democratic freedom, and the development and modernization of African productive forces, Dr Dlamini Zuma stressed. Among the Commission’s priority areas, as outlined by its Chairperson, will be peace, security and stability in Africa, food security, exploitation of natural resources, health and education, gender equality, youth development, development of infrastructure, promotion of intra African trade, building the African Union’s capacity to deliver efficiently and effectively and consolidating relationships with key partners.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethiopia's New Prime Minister Visits the United States to "Build Bridges"
    CRS INSIGHT Ethiopia's New Prime Minister Visits the United States to "Build Bridges" July 27, 2018 (IN10939) | Related Author Lauren Ploch Blanchard | Lauren Ploch Blanchard, Specialist in African Affairs ([email protected], 7-7640) Ethiopia's new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, arrived in the United States on July 26 for a three-city tour, with stops in Washington, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. It is his first U.S. trip since being elected by parliament on April 2, and the visit is focused on engaging the Ethiopian diaspora, who represent the second largest African diaspora population in the United States. Prime Minister Abiy's early outreach to Ethiopian-Americans is noteworthy, given outspoken criticism from some regarding governance under the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which has been in power since 1991. Many Ethiopian-Americans have agitated for greater U.S. support for human rights and inclusive governance in Ethiopia, including through legislation such as H.Res. 128, which the House of Representatives adopted in April, and S.Res. 168. At 41, Abiy is Africa's youngest head of state, leading the continent's fastest growing economy and second most populous country, home to over 100 million people. He is also the new head of the EPRDF, a coalition of ethnically based parties that has ruled Ethiopia since EPRDF rebels overthrew a Marxist junta in 1991. His predecessor Hailemariam Desalegn resigned in early 2018, declaring it necessary to pave the way for reforms that would "lead to sustainable peace and democracy." Under Hailemariam's rule, Ethiopia was rocked by anti-government protests and a security force crackdown in which hundreds were killed and more than 26,000 detained.
    [Show full text]
  • Deputy Director General of UNESCO, Getachew Engida's Speech
    Welcoming remarks by Mr Getachew Engida, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the Conference of the Pan-African University of Adwa Adwa, Ethiopia, 23 April 2018 Your Excellency Mr Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Your Excellency Mr Hailemariam Desalegn, Former Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Your Excellency Mr Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, Your Excellency Mr Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, Excellencies, Honourable Ministers Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Page 1 - 25/04/2018 – It is an honour and a great pleasure for me to be with you today to participate in this international Conference to celebrate an ambition and the fulfilment of a dream for our entire continent: the establishment of the Pan-African University of Adwa. The location of this University is rich in symbolism and significance. It stands for our resistance to colonialism; our fight to reassert our identities and our history. Indeed, the victory of His Majesty Menelik II's troops in Adwa is a seminal chapter in African history, one that must be preserved and passed onto future generations. Before its time, this event defined what became the spirit of the African Union, as celebrated in the opening words of its anthem: "Let us all unite and celebrate together, The victories won for our liberation.” Above all, the Pan-African University symbolizes a vision – one that affirms knowledge – and its creation – as the future wealth of our continent; as the driver of sustainable development, as the path to generating solutions to fight poverty and insecurity.
    [Show full text]