MIDRAND, South Africa, April 23, 2012 – A delegation of the Permanent Representatives Sub-Committee (PRC) of the African Union on NEPAD concluded a two day working visit to the NEPAD Agency in Midrand, South Africa on April 21 which was aimed at enhancing and strengthening the effectiveness of the Agency.

The delegation, which was made up of ambassadors and representatives from 13 member states of the PRC Sub-Committee on NEPAD, was welcomed by the NEPAD Agency CEO, Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, who underscored that the visit was a historic one as it was the first ever by the Sub-Committee to the Agency.

Mr Jean Yves Adou, an official at the African Union Commission who stood for the AUC Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Dr Maxwell Mkwezalamba, reiterated the importance of the working session as it was “in support of the successful integration of the NEPAD Agency as the technical body of the African Union.”  The leader of the delegation and Ambassador of Senegal to the AU, Mr. Bassirou Sène, said the visit gave the delegation an opportunity to experience at first hand the operating environment of the NEPAD Agency and to learn more about the NEPAD flagship programmes.

The PRC Sub-Committee was briefed on the NEPAD Agency’s mandate, its core functions and strategic direction. Emphasis was placed on the Agency’s mandate to advocate for NEPAD policies and coordinate NEPAD programmes through the political leadership of the African Union Commission. Progress in the harmonisation and programme coordination with the AUC was also highlighted during the discussions. The delegation took stock of the achievements made by NEPAD’s flagship programmes over the past 10 years in agriculture, infrastructure, nutrition, education and training, science and technology, capacity development, human development as well as ICTs and women empowerment. 

The working session was climaxed with an official reception hosted by the NEPAD CEO in honour of the delegates. Dignitaries at the event included the Special Advisor to the President of South Africa on International Relations and Personal Representative on the NEPAD Steering Committee, Ambassador Ms Lindiwe Zulu. In a speech, Ms Zulu reaffirmed the support of the South African government in advancing the NEPAD agenda and its continued commitment to support the objectives of the African Union.

At the end of the sessions, Ambassador Sène said the PRC would fully support the successful integration of the NEPAD Agency into the AU.