MEDIA ADVISORY

Validation Meeting for the AU Horn of Africa Initiative (AU-HoA-I) in Preparation for STC-SDLE-5

The African Union (AU) is pleased to invite media representatives to attend the validation meeting for the Draft Evaluation and Revision Report of the AU Horn of Africa Initiative (AU-HoA-I), its Implementation Matrix, and 5 Years’ Strategy, in preparation for the Fifth Ordinary Session of The Specialized Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment (STC-SDLE-5).

What: Senior Officials of AU horn of Africa Member States technical workshop on the validation of the draft evaluation of the AU Horn of Africa Initiative (AU-HOA-I) with its 5-years Strategy

When: 16^th July 2024 at 08.30am (EAT)

Where: Mombasa, Kenya

Who: The meeting will bring together representatives from the AU Commission, AU member states in the Horn of Africa region, development partners, and civil society organizations.

Why Attend: This validation meeting is a crucial step in strengthening the AU-HoA-I's effectiveness in promoting social development, labor opportunities, and employment in the Horn of Africa region. Media representatives will have the opportunity to learn about the key findings of the evaluation report, proposed revisions to the initiative, and the strategic direction for the next five years. These insights will inform discussions at the upcoming STC-SDLE-5.

Key discussion point and expected outcomes

• Improved technical quality of the draft Evaluation and Revision Report of the AU-HoA-I, its implementation matrix and 5 years’ strategy. (Focuses on ensuring a well-researched and well-structured report)
• Validated draft Evaluation and Revision Report of the AU Horn of AU-HoA-I, its implementation matrix and 5 years’ strategy. (Focuses on gaining consensus and approval for the final report)

Registration: Media representatives interested in attending the meeting are kindly requested to register by contacting King David Cartey - Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission Tel: +251 901090899 | E-mail: CarteyD@africa-union.org   | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Space is limited; therefore, early registration is encouraged.

About AU Horn of Africa Initiative

The AU Horn of Africa Initiative is an AU led process that was established in 2012 to address issues of irregular migration, specifically combating trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Africa. In its more than 10 years of existence, the Initiative has brought together more than 10-Member States within the region and various stakeholders in addressing issues of irregular migration flow, but also provided a framework of cooperation in combating this crime. The Initiative’s implementation matrix as adopted by Member States provided a guideline for priorities of the initiative which included capacity building, information sharing, awareness creation and protection of victims of TIP, among others.

The initiative on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants is a multi-stake holder structure comprising:

• Core countries: Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan;
• Neighboring countries: Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan;
• Invited partner countries: Italy, Libya, Malta, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Tunisia and Yemen
• Partner organizations: EC, INTERPOL, IOM, UNHCR, UNODC

The AUC, IOM and UNHCR will serve as secretariat for this initiative. The core member countries will meet once every six months.

For further information, please contact:

Geoffrey Wafula Kundu I Migration Program Coordinator | Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission Tel: +251 909537897 | E-mail: Geoffreyk@africa-union.org  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia|

For media Enquiries, please contact:

Ms Faith Adhiambo | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail:  ochiengj@african-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org |

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