PRESS RELEASE Nº09/ 26th AU Summit

Mekelle to host Ministerial Retreat of the Executive Council

Addis Ababa, 23 January 2016 – In preparation of the 26th African Union (au) Summit billed for 30 and 31 January 2016 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the AU Commission is organising a ministerial retreat of the Executive Council in Mekelle, Ethiopia from 24 to 26 January 2016. During the retreat, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs/External Relations and other ministers or authorities duly designated by their Government will brainstorm and exchange views on the implementation of Agenda 2063.

The Mekelle local Authorities and the Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia are expected to deliver welcome remarks during the official opening of the retreat, on 24th January 2016 as from 3:00 pm, followed by the opening statement of the Chairperson of the AU Commission and that of the Chairperson of the Executive Council. The opening ceremony will be opened to interested media willing to cover the event.

Later, the Ministers will reconvene in close session to discuss different items on their agenda including updates on Agenda 2063 Ten Year Implementation Plan, its domestication and flagship projects as well as the accountability framework. They will be briefed on the status of free movement of people and the state of the African tourism sector, among other issues of relevance to the development and integration of the continent.

Worth recalling that the theme of the 26th AU Summit is: “2016: African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on the Rights of Women”.
Journalists wishing to interview the leadership of the AU Commission during the Summit should submit their requests to Mrs Esther Azaa Tankou, Ag. Director of Information and Communication of the AUC, via E-mail: YambouE@africa-union.org / esthertankou@yahoo.com
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#26thAUSummit
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#WomenRights
#Agenda2063

For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission.