Africa: Agriculture, Food and Security at the Centre of African Union Summit

ADDIS ABABA – “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture: Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development” is the theme that will be at the center of discussions during the 22nd Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), scheduled to take place from 21st to 31st January 2014 at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Summit has officially kick off today, Tuesday 21st January with the 27th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC). The PRC will discuss items on the agenda in preparation of the upcoming AU Summit, to be submitted to the Executive Council for adoption.

The official opening of the 27th Ordinary Session of the PRC will take place from 10:00 – 13:00 at the New AUC Conference Center. The opening session included among others, a speech by the Chair of the PRC, a welcome remark by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and a group photo of Ambassadors with Commission Members and the Secretary General of the Commission, to take place in front of the plenary hall of the AUC Conference Centre in the presence of representatives of the press.

According to the PRC agenda for the 22nd AU Summit, the Ambassadors will, for three days (20 to 22 January 2014) 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; including the annual report of the AU Commission and that of the African Court for Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Meanwhile, the Ambassadors will consider the draft decision on AIM 2050, the finalization of the draft decision on Sharm El Sheikh Water and Sanitation to be presented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Economies of the AUC, as well as adopt the Encyclopaedia Africana Project.

The Ambassadors will finally consider the working documents and draft decisions in preparation for the 24th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council.

On the other hand, the 24th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council will hold from 27- 28 January 2014 at the headquarters of the AU in Addis Ababa. The Ministers of External Affairs and other ministers or authorities designated by the governments of AU Member States will deliberate on the different reports of the ministerial meetings organised by the AU Commission during the last six months. They will consider the activity report of the Commission; the recommendations of the PRC on the implementation of previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly; and the report of the ministerial committee on candidatures.

The Executive Council will also consider the report on the implementation of the of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA); the report of the Commission on the Situation in the Middle East and Palestine as well as the report of the Commission on implementation of Assembly Decision on granting competence to the African Court of Justice and Human Rights to deal with International Crimes.

One of the high moments during the Executive Council meeting will be the election of the ten members of the Peace and Security Council for a two year mandate, as well as the election of the president and vice president of the Pan-African University Council.

Meanwhile, the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union is scheduled to take place from 30 to 31st January 2014 in the plenary hall of the New AU Conference Center. The Heads of State and Government will launch the year 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security, marking the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). They will consider the report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa, including the activities of the panel of the Wise along side the renewal of its membership.

The African Heads of State will also consider the report on the assessment of the African Standby Force (ASF) and the operationalization of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC), as well as launch the final report of the High Level Panel on Fragile States.