5 July 2017: The 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) discussed how to deliver on the “full promise” of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Africa’s Agenda 2063 for Africa and its people. Participants underscored the role of regional integration, industrialization and diversification, strengthened agricultural productivity, infrastructure and private sector development, and job creation in achieving inclusive and sustainable growth and eradicating poverty for Africa.
The 29th session of the AU convened at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 27 June-4 July 2017. The event focused on institutional reform of the AU, investments in youth and peace and security, among other topics.
In a keynote address, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted increased strategic partnership between the UN and the AU, pointing to the adoption of a Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security and agreement to prepare a joint framework on sustainable development that focuses on implementation of Agenda 2063. Mohammed further addressed UN collaboration and support for: the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and other governance mechanisms to ensure coherent, efficient implementation of UN and African agendas; Africa’s regional economic communities on peacekeeping; Africa’s peace and security architecture; financing AU peace operations; and African integration, including efforts on the Continental Free Trade Area.
Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed observed the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 both aim to create a better world for the next generation.
Participants also reflected on the AU’s Year of ‘Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through investments in Youth,’ stressing that today’s investments in youth will contributed to a peaceful and prosperous Africa in the future. Mohammed observed the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 both aim to create a better world for the next generation by addressing challenges and opportunities critical to their future. Participants further highlighted the importance of investing in education, health and science, technology and innovation (STI) to strengthen Africa’s human capital. Others emphasized a relationship between a focus on youth and progress on peace and security.
On gender equality, the Fourth AU High Level Panel on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment convened on the margins of the 29th session. The Panel underscored the importance of addressing gender-specific challenges to youth employment and entrepreneurship, with a focus on empowering young girls. Participants further discussed: ensuring young women’s access to the labor market and financial assets and services; strengthening the access of women and girls to education and health services, including sexual and reproductive health services; and ensuring the fulfillment of the rights of women and girls.
Also on gender equality, Mohammed said she looked forward to collaborating with the AU on a new UN-European Union (EU) initiative that will work to end gender-based violence globally. The initiative will be launched at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September. [AU Closing Press Release] [UN Press Release] [UN Deputy-Secretary General Statement] [UNECA Press Release] [UNECA Press Release on Youth] [UN Women Press Release] [AU Summit Webpage]