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Roundup: AU calls for attention to development risks facing Africa

Xinhua, January 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

African Union (AU) Commission cautioned its members to be vigilant against risks they face on the road in implementing Agenda 2063, a vision and plan towards prosperous and united Africa.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, made the remarks on Monday at the opening of the 26th ordinary session of the Executive Council of AU in Addis Ababa, where delegates from member states are expected to discuss different reports of the ministerial meetings organized by the AU Commission during the last six months.

The 26th session of the Executive Council came in the framework of the 24th AU summit scheduled for Jan. 30 here in Addis under the theme, "Year of Women Empowerment and Development towards Africa's Agenda 2063."

In preparing for the implementation of Agenda 2063, Dlamini- Zuma called for attention to both internal and external risks including among others peace and security, risk of low movement of integration, infrastructure, and diversification of economies.

the chairperson also underlined the need to focus on the next step to mitigate the risks.

"It is not enough to identify the risks, we must go the next step to plan what to do to mitigate risks, and we will therefore prepare for a discussion at the next session of the Executive Council on this," she said.

The Chairperson also underlined the need to do more and better for African youth.

Dlamini-Zuma said she is deeply horrified by the tragedy Boko Haram continue to inflict on African people despite AU's efforts for peace and stability as well as on consolidation of democracy and good governance paying off, .

"I am deeply horrified by the tragedy Boko Haram continue to inflict on our people, kidnapping young girls from school, torching villages, terrorizing whole communities and the senseless killing," she said.

Focusing on the theme of year 2015, she underlined the need to do more this year to increase the representation of women in government, in the judiciary and other public and private institutions and their participation at the tables in peace negotiations.

Speaking on the occasion, Carlos Lopes, UN Under-Secretary- General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said that Africa's new story, with growth, investment and expanding opportunities, was seriously shaken by recent developments, such as falling on commodity prices, the Ebola crisis, and on-going conflicts.

Despite impressive trade performance with strong increase, especially since the year 2000, Africa has failed to diversify exports from primary products and natural resources, thereby limiting the potential for industrialization, said Lopes. Endi