What:

1. Preparatory Meeting of Experts for the Fifteenth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defense, Safety and Security, 9 May 2023.
2. The 18^th Ordinary Session of the African Chiefs of Defense Staff and Heads of Safety and Security Services (ACDS/HSS), 11 May 2023.
3. The 15^th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defense, Safety and Security (STCDSS), 12 May 2023.

 When:

Opening Ceremonies start from 9:00 am (EAT) on Thursday and Friday, 11 and 12 May 2023.

Where:

Nelson Mandela Hall, New Conference Building, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Who:

Why:

African Ministers of Defense, Internal Affairs, and Heads of National Institutions in Charge of Safety and Security, High Official Representatives from AU Member States, as well as from the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs).

• To consider the Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission which outlines the Commission’s continued efforts in the enhancement of the African Standby Force (ASF) and deployment of Peace Support Operations (PSOs), to address conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism as well as broader peace and security challenges in the continent;
• To consider the draft memorandum of understanding between the AU and the RECs/RMs on the ASF;
• To consider the draft AU Strategic Framework for Compliance and Accountability in PSOs, and the draft AU Policies on Selection and Screening, and the Protection of Civilians;
• To reflect on the outcomes of the workshop on the reconceptualization of the ASF; and,
• To provide an update on the AMANI Africa III Continental Maritime Exercise.

Media representatives are invited to cover the opening ceremonies of the STCDSS at the ACDS/HSS and Ministerial level on 11 and 12 May 2023 respectively.