“To achieve the vision of AU Agenda 2063, we will have to work together spurred by the values of solidarity, self-reliance and united in our diversity”, said AUC Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma was speaking at the 4^th Joint Retreat between the AUC and the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) of Ambassadors accredited to the African Union in Hawassa, Ethiopia, on April 14 and 15.  

The PRC is composed of Permanent Representatives of member states charged with overseeing the work and  activities of the AU and NEPAD Agency and making recommendations to Member States.

The purpose of the retreat was to jointly take stock of how far Africa has progressed on its integration and Africa’s development agenda for the next 50 years.

NEPAD CEO Dr Mayaki said that a strong relationship between the PRC and the Commission must be based on common responsibility, and the fact that although the two organs may be separate, the focus must be on one agenda: the Africa agenda.

The meeting discussed the need to unite Africa’s and capitalise on its strengths. This would also ensure a strong African voice.

Domestic Resource Mobilisation was a key topic. They agreed that dependence on external funding for AU programmes has resulted in a to a lot of time spent on negotiating with and reporting to partners, with less time for implementing programmes.

The forthcoming AU Summit in Malabo in June will report on progress towards the implementation of proposals on Domestic Resource Mobilisation, which were endorsed by the African Finance and Economic Planning Ministers’ Annual Conference, recently held in Abuja, Nigeria.