AFRICAN UNION
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
CLOSING STATEMENT BY MR STEPHEN SIANGA ACTING SADC
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY,
AT THE AU AGENDA 2063 CONSULTATION MEETING WITH RECS
AND AU ORGANS
SADC SECRETARIAT, GABORONE, BOTSWANA
21-23 OCTOBER 2013,
Chairperson,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants
Colleagues,
On behalf of the AUC and the Executive Secretary of SADC, I wish to
express my sincere appreciation, and to commend one and all of you for your
commitment to the African cause and for the outstanding work and the results
achieved in this important consultation with the RECs and AU Organs. Without
doubt you have done justice to the tasks assigned to you. This is all the more
important given the critical role of RECs being at the frontline of the interface
between the AU and Member States, and the decisive role of AU Organs in
advancing progress in the Union’s Global Agenda for peace, security,
governance and social and economic progress.
Your contributions as RECs and AU Organs are very critical in this
important exercise which aims at charting a new, practical and effective
departure for Africa’s development in the next 50 years, based on pursuit of
the AU Vision. You have adequately demonstrated that, through your
invaluable
contributions,
sharing
of
fresh
ideas
and
making
sound
recommendations, this brainstorming exercise has achieved its objectives.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have noted with particular interest and gratification, your
recommendations regarding the future we want for Africa, which is to be better
achieved through our strong, persistent and coherent collective efforts. As was
mentioned at the beginning of the consultations, the AU Commission would
like to take this opportunity to reaffirm that this has been your exercise as
stakeholders. The views expressed here are those of the RECS and AU
Organs, which are respected and welcomed, and are considered as
invaluable. The AUC Team’s role, as your servants, was to facilitate these
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consultations and to grasp the main essence of the recommendations so as to
allow our leaders to fully appreciate the challenges as well as the opportunities
in the efforts to build a new Africa. The AUC, I am pleased to note, is clear that
inclusion and participation enhances sense of ownership of the AU Vision, as
well as Agenda 2063 for realizing that Vision. Ownership brings about
commitment, which is necessary for meticulous and loyal implementation
down the line.
You have reflected deeply on past experiences and the lessons learned.
You have also reflected into the future and provided proposals on ways of
reaching the goal of the future we want. What is needed is a move away from
being wishful thinkers and being more focused on results. We must make
things happen.
In that regard I was very pleased to note your recommendations on how
to facilitate national and regional level consultations which are critical to
ensure that all voices are heard, and that Agenda 2063 is aligned with national
and regional priorities. Let me also commend the workshop for addressing
issues of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Agenda 2063.
We are sure that the AU Commission will take your recommendations
fully into account in finalizing the drafting of Agenda 2063. As stated at the
onset, this consultation with you is just an initial step. It is gratifying to note the
AUC’s assurances that it will remain closely engaged with all of you, and hope
that you in turn will continue to take part and participate in this exercise by
sharing with your stakeholders the Agenda 2063 exercise and soliciting their
inputs and contributions. Please be free to send in new brilliant ideas as they
come to mind even after these formal consultations.
On behalf of the African Union Commission let me assure you that your
recommendations will be compiled and harmonized and when finalized will be
posted on the website for further interactions with you. As indicated in the
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opening ceremony, you can still enrich and interact on Agenda 2063 through
the dedicated website and through the planned national and regional
consultations that will be unfolding over the next few months. Much practical
thinking is yet to be streamlined.
Once again on behalf of the AUC and SADC I thank you for coming and
making invaluable contributions. The various Chairpersons ought to be lauded
for the able manner in which they have conducted the proceedings. May I also
recognize the AUC team for a job well done in organizing and coordinating this
consultation workshop.
On behalf of the SADC Executive Secretary, let me express our delight
and gratitude to the Chairperson of the AUC for this opportunity to host this
important meeting, and contributing to its success.
Let me wish you all a safe return to your various destinations and thank
you for your kind attention
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