MEDIA ADVISORY

AFRICAN UNION THEME OF THE YEAR COMMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES, 17-20 JUNE 2019
• World/Africa Refugee Day
• A special occasion to promote the 2019 Theme of the African Union: Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solution to Forced Displacement in Africa.
• Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1969 OAU (Organization for African Unity) Convention on Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
• Solidarity mission of the Champion of the theme of the year, H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
• Continental Consultative Meeting (CCM) on the Implementation and Supervision of the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention.

INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

WHAT: The African Union, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other partners, is commemorating the annual World/Africa Refugee Day next week. This year, the AU is also marking the 50th anniversary of the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention and the 10th anniversary of the 2009 AU Convention on the Protection and Assistance for Internally Displaced Persons in Africa.
Annually, on World Refugee Day, commemorated on 20 June, we organize events to salute the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees and other forcibly displaced people. In solidarity with them, at a time when more and more people in Africa and elsewhere are being forced from their homes by conflict, persecution and other causes, we are coming together to honour their resilience and determination.
The media and other interested stakeholders are invited to cover these special activities from 17–20 June 2019.

WHEN: 17-18 June – Two-day Dialogue with Refugee and Returnee Women

17 June – Arrival of H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea, to show support for the theme of the year and World Refugee Day activities as Champion of the AU theme of the year.

18 June - President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo undertakes a field visit to a refugee camp accompanied by a limited group of journalists.

19-20 June – Two-day Continental Consultative Meeting on the implementation and supervision of the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention. The meeting, organized by the AU and UNHCR, will be attended by the Champion and other high-level dignitaries.

WHERE:
17 -18 June: Dialogue with Refugee and Returnee Women at 9:00
Committee Room 1, Old Conference Centre, AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa

18 June: Field visit to a refugee camp

19 June: Continental Consultative Meeting at 9.00 – AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa

WHO: Speakers at the CCM are expected to include:
• George Okoth-Obbo, Assistant High Commissioner (Operations), UNHCR
• Representative, Chairperson of the African Union
• Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission
• Jan Egeland, Secretary General, Norwegian Refugee Council
• Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia (TBC)
• President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Champion of the theme of the year

The opening will be moderated by BBC’s Alan Kasujja

PRESS OPPORTUNITIES: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Moussa Faki Mahamat, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner (Operations) George Okoth-Obbo are expected to speak to the press after the CCM opening session (TBC)

WHY: Commemoration activities are taking place as the African Union has dedicated 2019: The AU Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa.

Media enquiries:
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke; Directorate of Information and Communication. African Union Commission; Tel.
+251-911630631; E-mail: MolaletT@african-union.org