Nairobi, Kenya – On July 16, 2023, Nairobi hosts the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, bringing together African leaders to discuss the state of continental integration in Africa and advancing the agenda for integration of the African Union (AU). This meeting will feature many leaders, including the Chairpersons of the various Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), who will share their perspectives on regional and continental integration. Here is an overview of the key items on the meeting agenda.
The meeting will begin with an official opening marked by the AU anthem. High-profile personalities, such as the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, will deliver keynote speeches. ‘opening. 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 will be the first major point of discussion. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, will present a detailed report on the progress made so far and the remaining challenges. The AU Champion for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mahamadou Issoufou, will report on the latest developments regarding the implementation of the AfCFTA, which is a key pillar for economic integration in Africa.
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.
The meeting will also address the issue of 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.
Another key point of the meeting will be the showcasing of the achievements of the AU and the RECs/RECs in the area of integration. Leaders will present case studies of successful initiatives in consolidating regional and continental integration, highlighting best practices and lessons learned.
The environment, climate change and the blue economy in Africa will also be at the center of the discussions. Leaders will discuss challenges and opportunities related to these areas and share initiatives to promote sustainable and resilient development. 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 intervene during this session.
Finally, the meeting will address the issue of the Ukraine-Russia peacekeeping mission. The President of the Union of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, will share recent developments regarding this peace mission and underline the importance of stability in the region.
The mid-year coordination meeting in Nairobi is a key event to discuss continental integration in Africa. African leaders come together to share perspectives, discuss challenges and successes, and strengthen regional and continental cooperation