The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has called for a more dynamic relationship between the African Union Commission and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the implementation of Africa’s Agenda 2063.

This came while the Chairperson was chairing the Coordination meeting of the African Union Commission (AUC), RECs, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), held on Monday 11 May 2015, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The coordination meeting is an important working mechanism, to jointly strategize and check on progress on the organizations’ common mission, i.e. the integration and development of the continent. Today’s meeting addresses a number of issues on the implementation of Agenda 2063, including the First Ten Year Plan of Agenda 2063, allocation of roles and responsibilities between the AUC and RECs in implementing Agenda 2063, assessment of risks, the Agenda’s flagship projects and the way forward. It also follows-up on the recommendations of the previous Coordination Committee meeting that was held in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 December 2014. 

Speaking during the opening session of the meeting, AUC Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said that the empowerment of women and young people remains central, and since the continent is celebrating 2015 as the Year of Women, looking at the concrete actions to change the lives of African women and girls everywhere is very important.

The Chairperson highlighted the fight against Ebola as an example of what can be achieved through collaboration between the different parties. She lamented the effect of the conflict in South Sudan on its women and children and the deaths of hundreds of African migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. 

On the progress in the implementation of Agenda 2063, Dr Dlamini Zuma disclosed among others, that 12 AU Member states have asked for the Commission’s support with the domestication of Agenda 2063. 

Speaking on behalf of their organisations, Dr Abdallah Hamdook, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNECA and Dr Sindiso Ngwenya Secretary General of COMESA who also spoke on behalf of the other RECs, both pledged support and collaboration in the implementation of Agenda 2063. 

The meeting was attended by high officials from; AUC, UNECA, AfDB, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Community of Sahel Saharan States (CEN-SAD), East African Community (EAC), and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).