President of the Republic stresses the Importance of a Firm Commitment to Continental Integration

His Excellency, the President of the Republic, Rotating Chairperson of the African Union, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, stressed the importance of close coordination between the African Union and the regional economic commissions, as a key factor in accelerating the pace of achieving continental integration programs.

In his speech at the conclusion of the sixth biannual coordination meeting between the African Union, the regional economic communities and regional mechanisms in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, he urged action to address the challenges.

“I would like to thank the Chairperson of the African Commission and his task forces for the excellent manner in which working documents and reports on the state of integration in Africa, the division of labour between the African Union Commission and the regional economic communities have been drafted, and the African Union’s exchange of knowledge between the response alert system and on the status of the agenda of the African Union Development Agency.

I would also like to congratulate the African Development Bank for its dynamism, leadership and perseverance in mobilizing the necessary financing for the implementation of priority projects for the various regional economic communities.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen:

The declaration we have just adopted fully reflects our firm commitment to continental integration, in particular through the consolidation of integration among the regional economic communities and the strengthening of coordination between the African Union, the regional economic communities and regional mechanisms.

The African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and the United Nations Commission for Africa must play their full roles in this continental dynamic, which must necessarily take into account the collective interest of our countries.

These institutions must also ensure regular follow-up of the implementation of our integration programmes, in particular through the regional aggregate integration index.

Our announcement today also reflects our firm determination to continue to speak with one voice, the voice of Africa, and this strengthens and strengthens our position at various international meetings.

We are firmly committed to continuing our strong advocacy to bring Africa’s political, technical and financial partners together in mobilizing the necessary resources to implement the Second Ten-Year Plan of Agenda 2063, adopted at our previous Summit, whose implementation will ensure the success of the Continental Integration Programme.

We will continue to place special emphasis on education programmes, infrastructure development, digitalization and the free trade area.

I declared closed the work of this cooperation meeting.

Thank you very much.”