31 January 2015: Participants called for women’s empowerment in Africa as an important step in achieving the goals of Agenda 2063, at the 24th African Union (AU) Summit, which convened under the theme, ‘2015 Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.’ Delegates adopted the Agenda 2063 framework document and decisions on climate change, the post-2015 development agenda, trade, health and other issues. The Summit also included a presentation of the final report of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows.

At the opening ceremony, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for Africa “to help guide the way to a world of sustainability and dignity for all the people, where nobody will be left behind.” He underscored 2015 as a critical year for negotiations on climate change, financing for development (FfD) and the post-2015 development agenda, saying “no continent has more at stake” in these processes than Africa.

UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Sam Kutesa noted upcoming thematic debates on gender equality and women’s empowerment, including related issues such as land distribution and access to credit and markets, and on the means of implementation (MOI) for the post-2015 development agenda, including financing and resource mobilization, technology development and transfer and global partnerships.

AU Commission (AUC) Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said Africa’s present generation is the one that will eradicate poverty, disease and hunger and promote peace and diversity. She highlighted Agenda 2063 as a “people-driven process for the realization of our vision for an integrated, people-centered and prosperous Africa at peace with itself.” Agenda 2063 outlines Africa’s aspirations and programmes for the next 50 years.

In its decision on climate change, the Assembly requested the AUC to enact a mechanism for regular reporting to the AU Summit on the implementation of the High Level Work Programme on Climate Change Action in Africa (WPCCAA), and recommended that the current, incoming and outgoing presidents of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) serve as the coordination mechanism of the Committee of Heads and States of Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).

On the post-2015 development agenda, the Assembly endorsed the terms of reference of the African Group of Negotiators on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, noting that the group is the single negotiating body acting on behalf of the continent.

Thabo Mbeki, Chairperson of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows, presented the Panel’s final report to the Assembly. He said “illicit financial flows from Africa are large and increasing,” particularly in the extractive and natural resources sector, and exceed official development assistance (ODA) received by Africa. He observed that “large corporations are by far the biggest culprits responsible for illicit outflows” and “organized criminal organizations also contribute significantly to illicit financial flows.” He stressed that the flows are a political problem, and must be addressed through cooperation, collaboration and coherence at regional and global levels.

Delegates also adopted decisions on: the AU’s commitment to launch negotiations on African continental free trade area, in June 2015; identification of key issues in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) post-Bali framework to facilitate Africa’s structural transformation and regional integration agenda; re-authorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) AU support to address Ebola; the establishment of the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (African CDC); and continent-wide solidarity against Boko Haram.

In closing remarks, the AU Chairperson, Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, expressed satisfaction on the adoption of the AU Agenda 2063 framework, highlighting its dedication to Pan-African ideals.

The Summit took place on 23-31 January 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [UN Press Release] [AU Press Release, 30 January] [AU Press Release, 31 January] [Thabo Mbeki Statement] [Report of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa] [AU Summit Website]