The First Ten-Year Implementation Plan comes to an end in 2023.  To this end, the Executive Council called upon the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to lead on the evaluation of the FTYIP and the development of the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan.

The evaluation of the First Ten Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP) and the preparation of the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063, dubbed “the Special Project” were launched at a meeting of the Ministerial Follow-up Committee on the Implementation of Agenda 2063 extended to the African Union ministers in charge of national planning and finance that was held virtually on 30 June 2022.

The launch event was also attended by the representative of the Champion of Agenda 2063, Heads of AU Organs and RECs, experts from national development planning, monitoring and evaluation entities and national statistical agencies of AU Member States as well as representatives from civil society, the private sector, women and youth organisations and member of the media fraternity.

The Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, H.E Nardos Bekele-Thomas highlighted the need to take stock of Africa’s progress towards realising the goals and the targets set in the First Ten Year Implementation Plan. “What lessons and experiences do we collectively draw from the implementation of the plan, particularly with the advent of global shocks such as COVID-19, Russian-Ukraine conflict?”, she said.

The former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, at the 29th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union said of the Agenda 2063 vision: “Indeed, as we reflected on how to create conditions for the implementation of Agenda 2063, the Executive Council at its Bahir Dar Ministerial Retreat in 2014, noted that ‘the dream of an Africa that is integrated, peaceful and prosperous is achievable, provided that we construct this future, based on actions taken now.’ Her address highlighted the need for a people centred approach to implementing Agenda 2063.

These sentiments were echoed by the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, who emphasized the need to exchange ideas on how to enhance the participation of African citizens in the implementation of Agenda 2063. “We must be clear on what African Citizens expect out of the Agenda 2063 vision going forward and what are the roles they are expected to play to achieve the goals that will be set out in the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan”, said Dr Nsanzabaganwa.

The speakers at the event also commended the President of Cote’ d Ivoire and African Union Agenda 2063 Champion, H.E Alassane Ouattara for his commitment to the goal of ensuring that the Agenda 2063 vision becomes a reality and a success.

The launch event also featured panel discussions on the design and development of the Second Ten-Year implementation Plan. The panel deliberations featured knowledge exchange among AU Member States, with insights shared by representatives of Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Mauritius, Namibia and Senegal. Further insights were shared by representatives from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The deliberations underscored Member States’ commitment to the evaluation of the First Ten-Year implementation and the formulation of the successor ten-year plan, a prerequisite for effective and successful implementation of the Special Project. In addition, the importance and urgency for enhancing communication on Agenda 2063 at continental, regional, national and community level.

As part of the efforts geared at raising awareness and strengthen ownership and leadership on the Special Project, Member States agreed to undertake national multi-stakeholder consultations.

The deliberations also emphasised the importance of embedding Agenda 2063 implementation plans in national and sub-national planing and budgeting processes.

As part of the highlights of the key outcomes of the meeting, Ms Nardos Bekele-Thomas implored all AU Member States to actively engage in the design, implementation and reporting on Agenda 2063 plans.

For Editors:

The final report and the Decision from the meeting of the Ministerial Follow-up Committee on Agenda 2063 on the launch of the evaluation of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan and development of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan will be available on the AU website  Home | African Union (au.int)  and AUDA-NEPAD website, www.nepad.org