AU Weekly November 10th 2015

AU WEEKLY ...keeping you updated November 10th, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS Understanding the AU 

Economic Justice 

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COP21: Towards Climate Justice for Africa Boosting Intra-African Trade

Upcoming Events 

Peace and Security 

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A Breakthrough in Arms Control in Africa: AFCONE Decisions Adopted on the Refugees Situation in Dadaab, Kenya

Non-State Actors Engaging the African Union: Institute for Peace and Security Studies

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4th Congress of African Economist: “Industrial Policy and Economic Performance in Africa” Global African Stakeholders’ Diaspora Convention African Girl’s Summit on Ending Child Marriage in Africa Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa; 6th Technical Committee Meeting

Follow us on: Facebook - Oxfam International Liaison Office to the African Union: OI-AU Twitter - twitter@oxfam_AU Disclaimer: Views or articles presented in this publication are solely those of the media source and do not represent Oxfam’s views

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AU Weekly

Economic Justice

COP21:Towards Climate Justice for Africa AUC Department of Economic Affairs in partnership with OXFAM, organised a public debate session on November 6, 2015 under the theme “Towards Climate Justice for Africa’’. During the event various stakeholders from civil society, UN negotiators, faith leaders, legislators, and government representatives discussed best strategies of negotiating a strong deal at COP21 that will guarantee support to vulnerable communities in Africa. Participants also discussed possible options on climate change adaptation in Africa as well as necessary resources required for adaptation.

Oxfam’s key concerns on the negotiations in Paris are as follows:  Will there be sufficient cuts in greenhouse emissions to slow global warming?  Will rich countries provide funding to help the developing world cope with the legacy of 150 years of huge economic progress based on fossil fuels?  Can each country pay into a fund for the damages caused by climate change?

Further reading: http://ea.au.int/en/content/africa-calls-fair-equitable-and-legallybinding-agreement-during-cop-21 2

AU Weekly

Economic Justice Boosting Intra-African Trade The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union Commission (AUC) on November 3 and 4, 2015 in Abuja, Nigeria held a consultative meeting on the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and on the action plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT). The objectives of the meeting were to facilitate consultations and dialogue among ECOWAS member states on CFTA with a view to developing regional strategies for engagement in the CFTA negotiations. In addition, the meeting aimed to identify areas for capacity building at the national and regional levels with the support of AUC, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and other partners such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Following this event was the 5th Continental Task Force (CTF) meeting on Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) at the Experts level from November 5 to 7, 2015 in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting was organised by AUC Department of Trade and Industry in preparation for the commencement of the CFTA negotiations in December 2015. Experts from AUC, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and UNECA, during the meeting discussed essential issues pertaining to negotiations as well as considered the draft Rules of Procedure for the CFTA Negotiating Forum, the Initial drafts of the modalities for the CFTA tariff negotiations and trade in services as well as the establishment of Technical Groups in specific areas inter alia.

Further reading: http://ti.au.int/en/events/5th-continental-task-force-ctf-meetingcontinental-free-trade-area-cfta-considers-documents-p or http://ti.au.int/en/ events/african-union-commission-consults-ecowas-continental-free-trade-areacfta

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AU Weekly

Peace and Security

Credited: AU

A Breakthrough in Arms Control in Africa: AFCONE The African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on Wednesday November 4, 2015, signed the Host Country Agreement for the establishment of the Headquarters of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE). This agreement would allow AFCONE and its Secretariat to function fully and effectively implement the mandate of the African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty), which entered into force in July 2009.

The Chairperson stressed on the positive role that AFCONE will play in advancing the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. She also emphasised the need of concerned States to ratify and accede to the Pelindaba Treaty and its Protocols without further delay.

Further reading: http://cpauc.au.int/en/content/au-and-south-africa-sign-nuclearenergy-commission-host-agreement 4

AU Weekly

Peace and Security Decisions Adopted on the Refugees Situation in Dadaab, Kenya The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 554th meeting, held on November 3rd 2015, adopted the following decision on the situation of refugees in the Dadaab camps, Kenya: The Council,  Decides that the Commission should urgently undertake a comprehensive technical assessment mission, to Dadaab refugee camps, which will cover both security and humanitarian concerns with a view to facilitate the search for a balanced solution. Council decides that such mission will include the Commission and other key stakeholders, namely Kenya, Somalia and the UNHCR , and that the Commission should submit to it a report on this matter, with recommendations on the way forward, during the month of January 2016; Finally, decides to remain actively seized of the matter Further reading: http://www.peaceau.org/en/article/the554th-meeting-of-the-au-peace-and-security-council-onthe-situation-of-refugees-in-the-dadaab-camps-inkenya#sthash.RHqqtWUb.dpuf

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AU Weekly

Understanding the AU Non-State Actors Engaging the African Union: Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) - AU Liaison Program The IPSS vision is to be a premier institute of higher education for peace and security studies in Africa. Its mission is to promote peace and security in Ethiopia and Africa at large through education, research and professional development.

The Institute enables skills development in conflict prevention, management and resolution as well as in peace building, and promotes the values of a democratic and peaceful society, by offering Masters and PhD programmes. In addition to these programmes, the IPSS through its outreach programme, hosts conferences and panel discussions to disseminate research findings in the areas of conflict prevention, management and resolution, peace culture, peace building, security and related issues. It is engaged in promoting the spirit of cooperation and sharing of information between policy/decision makers, academia, civil societies and other stakeholders.

The work of the IPSS emphasizes linking scholarly research with policy development through networking, educating for peace, developing and enriching students’ inquisitive abilities, and fostering their creativity and personal interest in peace and security. The IPSS also runs a joint programme with the African Union.

The Africa Peace and Security Programme (APSP), is a joint initiative of the IPSS and the African Union Commission, Peace and Security Department, as endorsed by the AU Executive Council in February, 2010 (EX.CL/567 XVI). With the aim of building the capacity of the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and member states, the APSP con- ducts research and provides training, to take up the intellectual challenge of peace and security in Africa. The programme also brings together research centres and institutions to support the African Union in its endeavour of African-led solutions to peace and security challenges on the continent.

Contact Information: Tel: +251 11 124 5660 Email: info@ipss-addis.org Website: www.ipss-addis.org

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AU Weekly

Upcoming Events Nov

Event: 4th Congress of African Economists: “Industrial Policy and Economic Performance in Africa” Venue: Accra, Ghana

16-18 Nov

Contact: Mrs. Kokobe George Email: kokobeG@frica-union.org Direct Line: +251 115 182658

Event: Global African Stakeholders Diaspora Convention Venue: Washington DC

19-22

Contact: www.globalafricadiaspora.org; Evelyn Joe at 1-240-7066885, Mr. Kyeretwie Osei: Oseik@africa-union.org and Ms. Eiman Kheir:KheirE@africa-union.org.

Nov

27-28 Nov

28-29

Event: African Girl’s Summit on Ending Child Marriage in Africa Venue: Lusaka, Zambia Contact: http://pages.au.int/cecm/events/african-girl%E2%80%99s-summit -ending-child-marriage-africa-lusaka-zambia or http://pages.au.int/cecm/ summit/registration

Event: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa 6th Technical Committee Meeting Venue: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Contact: http://sa.au.int/en/content/pharmaceutical-manufacturingplan-africa-6th-technical-committee-meeting-28-29-november-2015 Follow us on: Facebook - Oxfam International Liaison Office to the African Union: OI-AU Twitter - @oxfam_AU

Disclaimer: Views or articles presented in this publication are solely those of the media source and do not represent Oxfam’s views

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