The 4th Ordinary Session of the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralization (AU-STC NO. 8) Kicked Off

The Fourth (4th) Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee (AU-STC 8) on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralization (AU-STC no8) at Ministerial level kicked-off of on 31 August 2022 at Grand Nile Tower, in Cairo, Egypt.

The meeting’s overall objective was to provide a common platform for Ministers of Public Service and Administration; Decentralization and Local Government; and Housing and Urban Development respectively and their senior officials to review progress on the implementation of its programs for the period 2019 - 20, elect a new bureau for the period 2023- 24, adopt the two-year workplan for 2023-24 and deliberate on specific issues pertaining to the three subcommittees to attain their overall goal.

Presided over by His Excellency the Prime Minister, Head of Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the opening ceremony was attended by five prominent personalities.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of African Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Soha El Gendy, in her welcome remarks on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt extend a warm welcome to the African Ministers, Ambassadors, special guests, personalities and experts coming from all over the continent.

In his opening statement, H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC), thanked and congratulated the 3rd Bureau of the STC 8 for the progress made in particular the outgoing Chairperson of the Bureau of the STC No.8, for the sterling leadership and dedication, which has been so important to the smooth functioning of the Committee and the effective implementation of its programs, during the past two years of his mandate. He further specially appreciates the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for its hospitality and commitment towards making this STC meeting possible.
Amb. Bankole stated that the commitments made here in the promotion of the incorporation of the triple nexus of Public Administration, Local Governance Urbanization and Decentralization will serve Africa well in delivering on the 7 Aspirations of Agenda 2063, the 17 goals of Sustainable Development, and the new Urban Agenda.
In his opening Statement, HE. Mr. Ts'eliso Kalakh Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Chairperson of the outgoing Bureau thanked the other members of the Bureau who spared no effort for the effective continuity of the activities of the STC No. 8 despite all kinds of difficulties, especially the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results were obtained, notably the development of the regional harmonized framework of the New Urban Agenda (NUA), the localization of the New Urban Agenda, the ratification of the two African charters respectively on the Public Service and on Decentralization, the celebration of the African days of the Public Service (June 23 of each year) and of Decentralization (August 10 of each year). With the collaboration of the Secretariat of the STC No. 8, directives were given for the ratification of the charters, the celebration of the African days of the Public Service and Decentralization and the mobilization of financial resources. He then assured the next Bureau of his firm support in the accomplishment of their mission.

The Minister of Local Development of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Major-General Hisham Amna in his statement thanked the AU for choosing Egypt to host the fourth ordinary session of the STC No. 8 at a time when the STC No. 8 intends to achieve its full operationalization, after the sharp slowdown of activities by the COVID 19 pandemic. “It is undeniable that the activities of the STC No. 8 will contribute to fight against the main problems Africa is facing in the fields of Public Service, Decentralization and Urban Development. Egypt intends to actively participate in the implementation of the declaration to be adopted by the Ministers for a harmonious development of Africa continent of the future,” concluded the Minister of Local Development.

In his opening Statement, H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, Head of Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, expressed, on behalf of the President of the Republic H.E. SISSI, his gratitude to the African Union for the confidence once again renewed to his country. He reiterated his country's commitment to work with the AU to achieve the objectives of Agenda 2063, the Africa we want, as well as the resolution of several other challenges such as climate change, the rapid urbanization of our continent and the fight against poverty. The Prime Minister then officially declared the Four Ordinary opened and wished all participants a fruitful deliberations.

The meeting had in attendance delegates from 40 Member States of the African Union.
Development partners namely UN-Habitat, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the African Management Development Institutes' Network (AMDIN), and the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) were present.

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