24th AU Summit
Activities
PRESS RELEASE Nº31 24th AU SUMMIT
Newly Elected Chair of the African Union, President Robert Mugabe interacts with officials and staff of the AU Commission
Addis Ababa, 2 February 2015- As it is the tradition, the newly elected Chair of the African Union (AU) visited the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, today 2nd February 2015 to familiarize himself with the management and the staff of the AU Commission. The AU Chairperson had a working session with the leadership of the Commission including the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Deputy Chairperson Mr. Erastus Mwencha, the commissioners and the directors before proceeding in the Plenary Hall of the AU Conference Center where he addressed the staff of the AU Commission.
“You are part of us. And I say a very important part of us.” said the newly elected African Union Chairperson, Mr. Robert Mugabe, who is also the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe . According to the new AU Chair, the AUC must be the driving engine for the African Union and the continent. “Let us see programs and projects emanating from the Commission be fully implemented thanks to your commitment and fighting spirit with the view to ensure that mother Africa is developed”, underscored President Mugabe. This Commission, he said, must work harder than before to guarantee that the programs the continental organization attain its goals of an integrated, united and prosperous Africa at peace with itself. President Mugabe expressed appreciation for the work so far undertaken by the AUC staff under the chairmanship of Dr. Dlamini-Zuma. “You are the hands and feet of the Commission”, noted the President while calling on the staff to work harder so as to give more impetus to the African Union. “AU must demonstrate that it is more united than before, a self-sufficient continent where illiteracy, ignorance, poverty, hunger are alleviated.” he emphasized.
“Basically, Africa is for Africans. Governments should make sure that African resources benefit the African people in the first place... To make this happen, Africa should have technicians and scientists who can add value to the rich African natural resources”, stated the new AU Chairperson, before concluding his statement with the slogan: “forward ever, backward never”.
In her introductory remarks, the AUC Chairperson, H.E Dr. Nkozasana Dlamini Zuma, presented the new AU Chairperson as “the custodian of what Zimbabwe is……. and a big defender of women rights.” She also said that “he is coming at the right time”, given that AU dedicated this year to women empowerment. AUC Chairperson stated that the very important decision adopted by the just ended 24th AU Summit will be implemented under the leadership of the new AU Chair, including the alternative sources of financing the AU amongst others.
The president of the staff association, Mr. Salah Hammad, expressed on behalf of all the AUC staff the honor of having a “hero and revolutionary” like President Robert Mugabe to chair the African Union. “A Pan-Africanist who is known as one of the most prominent figures of the African liberation movement”, he added. “The Commission is counting on the political support of the new AU Chairperson to implement critical projects of the Commission”.
The visit of the new AU Chairperson to the AU Commission was crowned with a family photo of President Mugabe and the AUC leadership. (follow the full speech of President Mugabe on AU social media Platforms)
EAT/AEK/JL
For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
Follow the AU Commission:
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission
Learn more at: http://www.au.int
Press Release Nº27/24th AU SUMMIT
Two African Scientists Awarded the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Continental Scientific Awards 2014 Edition
Addis Ababa 31st January 2015 – The African Union Commission has today recognised nationals of the African Union (AU) Member States who have made remarkable achievements in science and technology, in a bid to strengthen the use and development of science and technology in Africa.
This year’s award ceremony took place on Saturday 31st January 2015, during the 24th Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Governments, at the AU headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Kwame Nkrumah Continental Scientific Awards 2014 were presented on behalf of the Assembly by H.E Robert Mugabe, the President of Republic of Zimbabwe and the Chairperson of the African Union, to Prof. Kofané Timoléon Crépin from Cameroon, recipient of the Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation Award and to Prof. Salim S Abdool Karim from South Africa, recipient of Life and Earth Sciences Award.
H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission in her remarks, said that the Act establishing the Union recognizes the need to embark on an ambitious strategic science and technology development programme, aimed at contributing to socio-economic development of the continent. She recalled that the Assembly adopted Africa’s Ten-year Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation (STISA-2024), that will contribute to achievements of Agenda 2063. She further reiterated the urgent need for Member States to implement the Assembly decision of 2006 to allocate 1% of GDP to scientific research.
She added that, the Commission has full confidence that the awardees and indeed the African scientists, realize the great responsibility and trust bestowed upon them to ensure that science, technology and innovation drive socio-economic development and improvement of the lives of African citizens through tackling issues of poverty, employment, increasing population, health risks, food insecurity, depleted natural resources, water, energy, environment and climate change among others. She further thanked the Development Partners, particularly the European Commission for their unwavering support for this programme and many more programmes in the Commission. (The full speech of the Chairperson is available on the AU website www.au.int).
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Salim S Abdool Karim expressed optimism that African scientists will make good progress towards a healthier and better Africa in the next decade, particularly in finding solutions to the biggest problems on our continent.
Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission
Learn more at: http://www.au.int
INVITATION TO THE MEDIA
FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE 24TH AU SUMMIT
Within the framework of the 24th AU Summit conclusion, H.E Mr. Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the AU; and H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the Commission will, on Saturday, 31 January 2015 at the end of business, hold a press conference.
The press conference will be held in the Nelson Mandela Plenary Hall, at the new AU Conference Center, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Journalists are invited to take part in the press conference.
Media Contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication; AU Commission
Tel: +251911630631; E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org
For further information contact
Directorate of information and communication /African union commission/ E- mail:dic@africa-union.org/Web site: www.au.int/ Addis Ababa / Ethiopia
Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/Africanunioncommision
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Africanunion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUcommision
Learn more at:
http://summits.au.int/en/24thsummit
MEDIA ADVISORY
Kwame Nkurumah Scientific Awards for 2014
What: Award ceremony for the Kwame Nkurumah Scientific Awards for 2014
Who: The awards will be presented by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
There are two recipients of the award this year, one from Cameroun and another from South African
When: 31 January 2015 starting at 09:00. This will be a short 15 minute ceremony, after which the Assembly meeting will be closed.
Where: African Union Headquarters, Nelson Mandela Plenary Conference Hall
Media representatives are invited to cover the opening ceremony of the 24th Assembly of the African Union on 30 January at 09:00.
For inquiries, contact:
Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org
For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission
MEDIA ADVISORY
--
24th African Union Summit
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
What: Press Conference, UN Secretary-General BAN Ki-Moon
When: 31 January, 2015
Where: Small Conference Hall 4, 3 rd Floor, New African Union Conference Centre
Time: 10:00-10:40 am
Theme: The Secretary-General will address the media on his meetings and discussions while attending the 24th African Union Summit, in particular, on the theme of the Summit and other issues of concern, such as peace and security.
Media Queries, Contact:
Vannina Maestracci :+1917-855-3143 or
Sophia Denekew: Denekews@uneca.org
Tel: 0911201816