JOINT PRESS RELEASE
The African Union and the Permanent Court of Arbitration sign a Cooperation Agreement
July 2015: the African Union (the “AU”) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (the “PCA”), signed a cooperation agreement that will establish a framework for the AU and the PCA to join forces in the promotion of international arbitration and in raising awareness about developments in the field.
Under the Cooperation Agreement, the PCA will, inter alia, partner with the AU to assist African Member States in developing their arbitral infrastructure and engage the regional arbitration community by participating in educational outreach and training programs throughout the continent.
Professor Vincent Nmehielle, Legal Counsel and Director for Legal Affairs of the AU and Mr. Hugo H. Siblesz, Secretary-General of the PCA, signed the Cooperation Agreement on behalf of their institutions.
Under the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, the overall objective of the partnership shall be to strengthen the institutional ties between the AU and PCA, as well as other stake holders in the field of arbitration.
About the African Union
Launched in 2002 as a successor of the Organisation of African Unity (the “OAU”), the AU spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with its 54 Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens towards achieving “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena”. The AU headquarters is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
About the Permanent Court of Arbitration

Established in 1899 to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states, the PCA provides assistance in dispute resolution involving various combinations of states, state entities, intergovernmental organizations and private parties. Currently the PCA has 117 Member States from all continents. The PCA’s headquarters is at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. The PCA also has a permanent office in Ebène, Mauritius.
For more information on the AU, visit http://au.int/
For more information on the PCA, visit http://www.pca-cpa.org/