Title: Nairobi Hosts Mid-Year Coordination Meeting on African Integration
Subtitle: African leaders meet to discuss the state of continental integration
Introduction :
On July 16, 2023, Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is hosting the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting on African Integration. This event brings together prominent African leaders and aims to take stock of the state of continental integration in Africa, as well as the progress of the African Union (AU) integration agenda. In this article, we will bring you the main points of discussion from this meeting.
The official opening and opening speeches:
The meeting will begin with an opening ceremony marked by the AU anthem, followed by keynote speeches by high profile personalities. Speakers include the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, and the UN Under-Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed. The President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, as current Chairman of the AU, will also deliver an opening speech.
The State of Continental Integration in Africa:
The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, will present a detailed report on the progress made so far in the continental integration process, as well as the remaining challenges. The AU Champion for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mahamadou Issoufou, will also report on the latest developments in the implementation of the AfCFTA, which constitutes a key pillar for economic integration. in Africa.
Perspectives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs):
The Chairpersons of the various RECs will then present their perspectives on the state of regional integration in their respective regions.. Among the leaders who will intervene are the President of the Republic of Chad and current President of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), Mahamat Idriss Deby, the President of the Republic of Zambia and current President of the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Burundi and current President of the East African Community (EAC), Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Gabon and current President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and current President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Republic of Djibouti and current President of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ismail Omar Guelleh, and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and current President of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Félix -Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
Division of labor and coordination:
The meeting will also address the division of labor between Member States, RECs/RMs and the AU. A detailed report on the division of labor will be presented, highlighting the progress made so far and the steps taken to improve coordination and cooperation between the different entities.
Highlighting AU and REC/REC Achievements:
Another important point of the meeting will be the presentation of successful initiatives in the consolidation of regional and continental integration. Leaders will present case studies highlighting best practices and lessons learned. Speakers will include the President of the Republic of Gabon and current President of ECCAS, Ali Bongo Ondimba, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and current President of ECOWAS, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the President of the Republic of Djibouti and current President of IGAD, Ismail Omar Guelleh.
Environment, climate change and blue economy:
Leaders will discuss challenges and opportunities related to environment, climate change and blue economy in Africa. Initiatives to promote sustainable and resilient development will be shared. The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and current President of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, will be one of the speakers during this session