President Zuma to lead South African Delegation to the 16th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly

President Jacob Zuma, supported by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, will lead the South African delegation to the 16th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, scheduled to take place from 30-31 January 2011 preceded by the 18th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, scheduled to take place from 27-28 January 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The 16th Ordinary Session takes place under the theme “Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values”, premised on the AU’s concept paper which identifies shared values which are embedded in AU Constitutive Act as the norms, principles and practices that have been developed to provide the basis for collective actions and solutions in addressing the political, economic and social challenges that impede Africa’s integration and development.

The concept paper proposes a future policy path on the shared values of the AU, i.e. through policy actions to accelerate continental integration and strengthening the African Governance Architecture (AGA). The Executive Council meetings will afford Ministers of Foreign/International Relations an opportunity to deliberate on a wide range of issues prior to the Assembly meeting.

As the highest authority of the AU, the Assembly will consider the report of the Peace and Security Council on its Activities in Africa, the report of the Chairperson of the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms, the progress report of the Commission on the implementation of Assembly Decision on the Transformation of the African Union Commission into the African Union Authority, report of the Committee of Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSOCC), report of the Commission on the 2nd Africa-Arab Summit, and the report of the Commission on the 3rd Africa EU Summit.

Preceding the 16th Ordinary Session, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Heads of State Government Committee and the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) meetings will also be convened on 29 January 2011 at Heads of State and Government level.

South Africa will also table the proposal on Women as Resource in Sustainable Development and Economic Growth in Africa to ensure that African Union Member States continue to support women empowerment and emancipation through structures such as the Pan African Women’s Organisation (PAWO), commit to funding the Regional Gender related programmes in their respective countries, mainstream gender in their National policies and ensure that Gender Units at national, regional and continental are strengthened.

Furthermore, South Africa has submitted candidature of Dr F Ginwala for re-election to the Advisory Board on Corruption within the African Union and Prof Sloth-Nielson’s candidature for election to the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in the AU.

South Africa will host the Seventeenth Session of the Conference of Parties (COP17) scheduled for 29 November-09 December 2011 in Durban therefore the Summit will afford President Zuma an opportunity to pronounce on South Africa’s commitment to the fight against Climate Change and Global warming.

For further information please contact Mr. Clayson Monyela spokesperson for DIRCO on 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria

25 January 2011