July 2003: The African Union Summit took place from 4-12 July 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique.

With the theme of “Implementation of NEPAD as a contribution to Africa’s Development,” the Summit comprised meetings of the Assembly, the Executive Council and the Permanent Representatives Committee. The Assembly adopted five Declarations on matters such as the upcoming fifth WTO Ministerial Conference, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, agriculture and food security, and NEPAD implementation. The Assembly also took over 20 decisions on topics relating to, inter alia, human rights, poverty alleviation, corruption, democracy and good governance, defense and security, and terrorism. Decisions were also taken on a number of environment related topics such as the Action Pan of NEPAD’s Environment Initiative, and the revised 1968 African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Algiers Convention). The Algiers Convention incorporates the concept of protected conservation areas and also commits Parties to improving soil conservation, introducing sustainable farming practices, and collaboratively managing transboundary water resources. The revision of this treaty updates the convention with developments in international law, and the increasing focus on sustainable development.

The Assembly also adopted the draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to the Rights of Women, which would, among other things, prohibit female genital mutilation, grant women the right to vote, set the minimum age for marriage at 18 and guarantee women the right to inherit and own property. More information is available at: http://www.africa-union.org/home/Welcome.htm