Interactive network of focal points concerned with AU strategic partnerships established

By Wallace Mawire
An interactive network of focal points concerned with African Union
(AU) strategic partnerships has been formed to build synergies that
would help galvanise all stakeholders at the continental, regional and
national horizons of the African continent.

The AU Commission and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
are jointly hosting a three day conference titled: ‘Lets Talk’ to
establish interactive networks between the Partnerships Management and
Coordination Division (PMCD) at African Union Commission (AUC) and the
focal points concerned with AU strategic partnerships and
international cooperation at different levels.The conference is being
held in Harare, Zimbabwe on 18 to 20 December, 2017.

The stakeholders include Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AU
regional offices, AU organs and specialised agencies, the Economic
Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) and other agencies.
The PMCD of the AUC has a mandate that centres on managing and
coordinating the activities relating to strategic partnerships between
the AU and its global partners.

The activities are aligned to Africa’s development and integration
agenda as pescribed in the AU’s Agenda 2063 and are particularly aimed
at addressing the needs of the African people.

The meeting being convened in Harare is expected to result in the
launch of the African Partnerships Coordination Platform (APCP),
development of the terms of reference for the platform, format for
harmonised views and coordinated plans and interaction with AU
external partners established, challenges and opportunities for
synergy and modalities for building interactions.

According to Dr Levi Madueke, Head of AU Strategic partnerships,
Bureau of the Chairperson, the AU views the engagement of the AU’s
partners as an activity of great strategic importance in the
continent’s plan to achieve integration and development.