UNIÃO AFRICANA FINAL REPORT AFRICAN UNION/LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES INTER-SECRETARIAT CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON AFRO-ARAB COOPERATION

Transcription

1 AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Tel : (251-1) Telex Fax : (251-1) Cables: OAU, ADDIS ABABA marceldiouf@hotmail.com / girma47@yahoo.com FINAL REPORT AFRICAN UNION/LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES INTER-SECRETARIAT CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON AFRO-ARAB COOPERATION ADDIS ABABA: MAY 2005

2 Final Report AU/LAS Inter-Secretariat Consultative Meeting on Afro-Arab Cooperation Addis Ababa Ethiopia from 10 to 12 May 2005 INTRODUCTION 1. The AU/LAS Inter-Secretariat consultative meeting took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 10 to 12 May It was held as a follow-up to the agreement reached between H. E Prof. Alpha Oumar Konaré, Chairperson of the AU Commission and H.E Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States during their meeting which took place alongside the 17th Arab Summit, in March 2005, in Algiers, Algeria. 2. The objective of the consultation was to prepare the following meetings aimed at the revitalization of Afro-Arab Cooperation: Consultative meeting between H.E the Chairperson of the AU Commission and H.E the Secretary General of LAS, expected to take place in Cairo, Egypt in May/June 2005; Meeting between H. E the President of Nigeria, current Chairperson of the African Union and H.E the President of Algeria, current Chairperson of the League of Arab States, alongside the AU Summit in July 2005, in Syrte, Libya. Second Afro-Arab Summit 3. The meeting was attended by participants from different Departments of the AU Commission, LAS General Secretariat and the Director General of Afro-Arab Cultural Institute. The list of participants is attached to this report (Annex 3). I. Opening Session 4. The Opening Session was addressed by Amb. Samir Hosni, Director of Africa Department in the General Secretariat of LAS. In his Statement Mr. Hosni conveyed the greetings of H.E Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of LAS and expressed his appreciation to the AU Commission for organizing the meeting at its Headquarters. He also stressed the importance of Afro-Arab partnership in building peace and sustainable development in both regions. 5. The Meeting was officially opened by Mrs Julia Dolly Joiner, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs. In her statement Mrs Joiner welcomed participants to the AU Headquarters on behalf of H.E Prof. Alpha Oumar Konaré and on her own behalf. She also informed the meeting of the Vision and Strategic Program of the AU on Afro-Arab Cooperation and underlined the necessity and readiness to revitalize the Afro-Arab Cooperation. AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 2 of 13

3 II. Adoption of the Agenda and work program 6. The meeting adopted the attached agenda and work program. (Annexes 1 and 2) DELIBERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7. The meeting, co-chaired by the two heads of delegation, took note of, among others, the recommendations of the African and Arab Experts meetings on Revitalization of Afro-Arab Cooperation (January 2003, Cairo, Egypt and March 2004,Addis Ababa Ethiopia), as well as the Vision and Strategic Program of the African Union on Afro-Arab Cooperation. The meeting having deliberated on the above and the various presentations made by participants agreed to make the following recommendations: III. Evaluation and Revitalization of Afro-Arab Cooperation. 8. In view of the revitalization of the Afro-Arab Cooperation and towards the preparation of the second Afro-Arab Summit, the meeting underscored the need to: a) Undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the Afro-Arab Cooperation b) Elaborate a common vision and develop a strategic plan of action, taking into account new developments, challenges and opportunities taking place in the AU and LAS as well as in the African and Arab regions and the rest of the world; and considering the need to tackle regional and global policies targeting the two regions, and to take up the challenges of peace, security and terrorism. c) Adopt suitable orientation, coordination, implementation and evaluation mechanisms. d) Provide adequate financial resources to ensure the smooth functioning of Afro-Arab Cooperation programs, organs and structures. e) Involve the private sector, civil society and Diasporas of both regions in Afro-Arab Cooperation programs as well as facilitate the establishment of regular contacts among them. f) Remobilize relevant regional and international partners such as the AFDB, ECA, ESCWA, BADEA, IsDB, AFRIXM, African and Arab Regional Economic Groupings. g) Coordinate the efforts of specialized organizations and sectorial Ministries of both regions in the various fields of socio-economic development. h) Establish mechanisms to coordinate efforts towards the implementation of various development initiatives in both regions in particular for coordinated implementation of the New Partnership for Africa s Development (NEPAD) and Sustainable Development Initiative in the Arab Region (SDIAR). i) Establish a comprehensive consultation mechanism between AU and both the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries (AFTAAC), which could include signing of Memoranda of Understanding. AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 3 of 13

4 j) Undertake a comprehensive inventory of all fund raising initiatives at the regional and international levels, especially those dealing with social issues including poverty, education, high rates of morbidity and mortality with the aim of attracting some of these funds to both regions. k) Establish a mechanism to open new channels of cooperation between the two organizations on the social issues. IV. Interim program The meeting recommended that, pending the adoption of the new vision and program of action, the following major activities constitute the interim program of Afro-Arab Cooperation : a)- Afro-Arab Trade Fair Undertake a comprehensive evaluation of Afro-Arab Trade Fairs, in collaboration with BADEA; Organize Fora on trade and investment during each Trade Fairs, with the participation and financial contribution of Regional and International institutions such as BADEA, African Development Bank (ADB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), AFRIXM Bank, AAAID; Register the Afro-Arab Trade Fair in Regional and International Unions of Trade Fairs. Registration fees and annual subscriptions should be covered by the two organizations on 50% contribution basis; Jointly develop and continuously update the website of the fair with information on tradable goods and other relevant items; Involve private sector organizations, including the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture as well as Professional Organizations of both regions in the preparation and organization of the Fair; Intensify efforts by all parties (AU/LAS/Host Country) to finalize preparations for the 7th Afro-Arab Trade Fair, due to be organized in November/December 2005, in Khartoum, Sudan; b) Afro-Arab Cultural Institute in Bamako, Mali 10. The meeting noted that the institute was established in 2002 with an annual budget of US$ 500,000. This amount was not further increased to meet the cost of recruiting professional staff and implement programs. The meeting also noted that the position of the Deputy Director General of the Institute is still vacant, as AU has not yet finalized the nomination. On the basis of these findings, the meeting : - recommended to the African Union and the League of Arab States to increase the budget of the Institute in order to enable it recruit the minimum professional staff and implement significant programs; - suggested to the Executive Council of the Institute to convene only already scheduled meetings of the Executive Council and the Scientific Board and suspend all subsequent meetings of the same organs to put aside funds for program activities. AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 4 of 13

5 - recommended to the African Union to nominate a Deputy Director General to the Institute as soon as possible. - Recommended to the Afro-Arab Cultural Institute to: mobilize extra budgetary resources; make efforts to acquire African and/or Arab experts, on secondement basis, from national, regional and international institutions; build relevant partnership with national, regional and international institutions in order to jointly implement programs; secure funds for implementation of previously approved programs. c) Creation of an Afro-Arab Development Forum 11. The meeting endorsed the idea of creating an Afro-Arab Development Forum, which will be organized jointly every two years alternately in an African and Arab country involving all concerned stakeholders of the two regions. The meeting also underscored the vital role that the Afro-Arab Investment Forum in Agriculture could play in promoting agricultural production and productivity in African and Arab countries. The meeting therefore: Recommended to undertake an in-depth study on the establishment of an Afro-Arab Development Forum; Urged for the early organization of the Afro-Arab Investment Forum in Agriculture for Western and Central African regions in Cameroon and for Eastern and Southern Africa regions in a venue to be determined. d) Seminar to prepare a draft Vision and Plan of Action to be considered by the Afro-Arab Summit 12. Prior to Convening the seminar, the meeting recommended that: A comprehensive study be undertaken by an ad-hoc group of experts from both sides. A tri-partite preparatory committee from the AU, LAS and Government of Sudan (the Hosting country of this seminar) be set up to ensure the successful convening of this seminar 13. Participation in this seminar should include Government Experts, representatives from public and private sectors and civil societies in both regions, as well as representatives from African and Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Professional Associations, Independent Experts, Representatives of Financial Institutions, etc The conclusions of this seminar should be used to elaborate a common vision and strategic plan of action that will be presented to the Afro-Arab Summit. e) Creation of an Afro-Arab Institute for Strategic Studies. 15. One of the proposals is to close the Afro Arab Cultural Institute and replace it with an Afro Arab Institute for Strategic Studies. However, given the importance AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 5 of 13

6 of the regional and global cultural agenda, it is recommended not to shut down the Afro-Arab Cultural Institute in Bamako but to rather give it necessary financial and human resources to contribute to the development of an authentic dialogue of African and Arab civilizations as a cement of an Afro-Arab Cooperation at large. The establishment of an Afro-Arab Institute for Strategic Studies should therefore take into account the following three options: i) Capacitize Afro-Arab Cultural Institute to expand its mandates and enable it undertake strategic studies together with its original assignments, or ii) Create a new Institute for Strategic Studies, while allowing the Afro-Arab Cultural Institute to continue with its current mandate in the Afro-Arab regions and, provide advice to policy organs or iii) Establish a think-thank group f- Preparations for the second Afro-Arab Summit. 16. The meeting recommended the following activities for the preparations of the Afro-Arab Summit: Undertake a thorough evaluation of Afro-Arab Cooperation at sectoral and global levels; Elaborate a common Vision and Strategic Plan of Action; Organize a series of preparatory consultations and meetings including: o meeting between the Chairperson of the African Union and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States to take place in Cairo, Egypt. It is further recommended that this meeting takes place one month before the AU summit in Syrte, Libya. o meeting between the Current Chairperson of the African Union Summit (President of Nigeria) and the Current Chairman of the Arab Summit (President of Algeria), to take place in Syrte, Libya, alongside the AU Summit. o seminar on Afro-Arab Cooperation to consider a Vision and Plan of Action. o meeting of the Standing Commission of the Afro-Arab Cooperation (12/12 Ministers). V. Draft Agenda of The meeting of the Arab League Secretary General and the Chairperson of the AU Commission. (Cairo) 17. The meeting recommended the following agenda items: Consideration of the recommendations of the first AU/LAS Inter-Secretariat Consultative Meeting (10-12 May 2005) Ways and means of convening the second Afro-Arab Summit; and in case the summit could not meet, the following options could be considered: AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 6 of 13

7 o Meeting of the troikas of both sides, i.e. the outgoing, current and incoming Chairpersons of the two organizations. o Holding of a special meeting of the Standing Commission of the Afro- Arab Cooperation at the Heads of State and Government level (12/12) o Any other form to be decided by the AU and LAS respective Summits. Preparation of a draft agenda for the meetings of the current Chairperson of the African Union and Current Chairperson of the Arab League. Consider any relevant issues pertaining to AU/LAS relation, and Afro-Arab Cooperation. VI. Any Other Business 18. The meeting underlined the high importance of holding Inter-Secretarial coordination meetings, on annual basis, between the AU Commission and LAS General Secretariat. VII. Closing 19. On behalf of the Secretary General of the League of Arab States and on his behalf, the head of the LAS delegation, Amb. Samir Hosni thanked H.E. Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare and Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner as well as members of the delegation of the African Union and the entire staff of the Commission for the warm welcome extended to his delegation and for the excellent facilities put at the disposal of this meeting. 20. On behalf of Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Mr. Marcel Diouf, expressed his appreciation to the delegation of the League of Arab States and AU participants for the unreserved efforts exerted to make this meeting a success and also for the interest shown to revitalize Afro-Arab Cooperation. AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 7 of 13

8 Annex 1 AU-LAS Inter-secretariat Consultative Meeting on Afro-Arab Cooperation May 2005 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Draft Agenda AU-LAS/MEET.01(I) 1. Opening of the meeting 2. Adoption of Agenda and Program of Work 3. Evaluation and Revitalization of Afro-Arab Cooperation (a) Overview of Afro-Arab Cooperation (b) Recommendations for Revitalization of Afro-Arab Cooperation 4. Interim program for strengthening Afro-Arab Cooperation. (a) On-going programs i) Afro-Arab Trade Fair ii) Afro-Arab Cultural Institute (b) (c) Creation of an Afro-Arab Forum (Item proposed by LAS) including a Forum on Investment in Agriculture (Item proposed by AU) Seminar on the prospects of the Afro-Arab Cooperation, with the participation of experts from both organizations in addition to independent experts. (Item proposed by the League of Arab States). (d) Creation of an Afro-Arab Institute for Strategic Studies (Item proposed by the African Union) (e) Preparation for the Afro-Arab Brotherhood Summit (2006) 5. Draft agenda and date of the meeting of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States (Cairo, Egypt) 6. Any other Business AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 8 of 13

9 7. Closing AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 9 of 13

10 Annex 2n AU/LAS Inter-secretariat Consultative Meeting on Afro-Arab Cooperation May 2005 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Draft Program of Work 10:00-10:20 Opening Tuesday 10, May :20-10:30 Adoption of the agenda and organization of work 10:30-13:00 Evaluation and Reactivation of Afro-Arab Cooperation : a) Overview of Afro-Arab Cooperation (20 minutes b) Recommendations for Revitaliztion of Afro-Arab Cooperation Tea Break) 13:00 14:30 Lunch 14:30-16:00 (20 minutes Tea Break) Interim Program for Strengthening Afro-Arab Cooperation On-going programs - Afro-Arab Trade Fair - Afro-Arab Cultural Institute AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 10 of 13

11 Wednesday 11 May :00-13:00 (20 minutes Tea Break) 13:00 14:30 - Creation of an Afro-Arab Development Forum (Item proposed by LAS) and holding of an Afro-Arab Investment Forum in Agriculture (Item proposed by the African Union) - Seminar on the prospects of the Afro-Arab Cooperation, with the participation of experts from both organizations in addition to independent Experts (Item proposed by LAS) - Creation of Afro-Arab Institute for Strategic Studies (Item proposed by the African Union) - Preparation for Afro-Arab Brotherhood Summit (2006) Lunch 14:30-15:30 (20 minutes Tea Break) 15:30-16:00 Draft agenda and date of the meeting of the Chairperson of the African Union and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States (Cairo, Egypt) Any Other Business Thursday 12 May :00-16:00 Adoption of Recommendations 16:00 Closing AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 11 of 13

12 List of Participants Annex 3 LAS DELEGATION S/N Name Organization/Dept Contact Amb. Samir HOSNI M. Ahmad Salah Noah Mrs. Nihad El MALLAH LAS/Director of Afro-Arab Cooperation Dept. Chief. Afro-Arab Cooperation Sect. Arab Fund For Technical Assistance to African Countries (Operation Dept) League of Arab States 33, Rd 14 Maadi-Cairo Egypt League of Arab States 33, Rd 14 Maadi-Cairo Egypt Tel: (202) / Dir: (202) Fax: (202) Mrs. Shahira Hassan Ahmed WAHBI Mr. KHOGALI Mustafa Mr. Zeid Al Sabban AFRO-ARAB CULTURAL INSTITUTE 7 Dr. Abdullah Al-Dosary LAS/Chief of the Division of Resources and Investment. Department of Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development/Economic Sector LAS/Social Department Head of Development Sector. LAS/Office of the Secretary General of LAS Director General of Afro- Arab Cultural Institute Tahreer Square Cairo-Egypt P.O.Box: Tel: (202) Fax: (202) shuhryar@yahoo.com LAS, Social Department, Cairo, EGYPT Tel: (202) Mobile: (201) Khogali@btinternet.com Zeid.Alzabban@pas.int Mobile : (201) Niger city, Bamako, Rep of Mali, P.O.Box E icaa@afroarab-ci.org AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 12 of 13

13 AU COMMISSION DELEGATION P.O.Box 3243, Tel: Mrs. Julia D. JOINER Commissioner, Political Affairs 9 Mr. Marcel DIOUF AU/Afro-Arab Cooperation 10 Dr. Kanel ESSEGHAIRI AU/Director, Social Affairs 11 Soamirinela TSILIMBIAZA AU/Director, Department of Trade Industry 12 Katrina LISWANI AU/Head of Social Affaires 13 Dr. Raymonde AGASSOU AU/Head of Human Resource Science and Tech. 14 Mahdla MADOUSELA AU/Head of Division/Strategic Planning 15 Dr. Hassan W. ELHASSAN AU/Cairo Office, Senior Economist 16 MRS Macrine MAYANJA AU/Political Affairs, Senior Officer 17 Mr. Anthony A. TAYLOR AU/Political Affairs, Special Assistant to the Commissioner 17 Dr. Mamadou DIA AU/Peace and Security Department, Consultant 18 Mr GIRMA Zewdie AU/Afro-Arab Cooperation, Consultant 19 Mr. Yassin ELNIL AU/PASU, Consultant AU/LAS Inter-Secretarial Consultative Meeting Page 13 of 13