Press release Nº26/21st AU Summit

Executive Council adopts the Strategic Plan and the 2014 budget of the AU

Addis Ababa, 23rd May 2013 –The Executive Council of the African Union (AU) meeting ahead of the 21st AU Summit adopted on 23rd May 2013 the Strategic Plan of the AU for the period 2014-2017 alongside with the year 2014 budget amounting 380 million USD, announced Mr Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission. Following consultations with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and with the private sector, the Strategic Plan is meant to be inclusive and consultative in a bid to be people driven. It is scheduled to be submitted for adoption to the Heads of States during their 21st Ordinary Summit to be held from 26 to 27 May.

The Strategic Plan is constituted of eight priorities explained Mr Mwencha. It addresses challenges such as peace, stability and governance, growth and transformation, regional integration through the achievement of the Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, innovation, harnessing human and natural resources, mainstreaming women and youth to name but a few. With strong elements of monitoring and evaluation, the Strategic Plan has clear benchmarks so as to be efficiently assessed over the projection horizon.

Since Africa will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Organisation of the African Unity (OAU) and the AU in a few days’ time, Mr Mwencha also addressed the future of Africa in the next fifty years. That future should be captured and planned for in Agenda 2063. “It is agreed that, that exercise of preparation must be consultative and participatory. We should reach all Member States and key stakeholders to contribute to this agenda”. Tabled to be ready by May 2014, “the Agenda should drive the process of integration drawn from the legacy and inspiration of the founders of the OAU and be people driven. We are determined to take the AU to people for people to tell us what they want to do”.

To unleash Africa’s potential for 2063 and attain the envisaged change, the AU has established a panel tasked with finding alternative sources of funding for its activities. Led by former President of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo, the panel will submit a report to the Assembly for consideration and action.

The press briefing was live streamed. With about 400 journalists accredited daily press conferences will be organised and live streamed.

For more information, please visit the African Union website at www.au.int and follow us on twitter (@_AfricanUnion) and Facebook.