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Zambia nods hosting of AU advisory body secretariat

Xinhua, October 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

Zambia on Tuesday approved the hosting of the secretariat of the Africa Union (AU) Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECO-SOCC) secretariat.

The ECO-SOCC is an advisory body of the AU designed to give civil society organizations a voice within the AU institutions and decision-making processes.

It is made up of civil society organizations from a wide range of sectors, business and professional groups, service providers and policy think-tanks, both from within Africa and the African diaspora.

Chishimba Kambwili, the chief government spokesperson said the approval was done during a meeting of ministers chaired by President Edgar Lungu, adding that the hosting of the ECO-SOCC away from the AU was aimed at enhancing its independence and legitimacy as well as augment the ability to perform functions effectively amongst primary stakeholders.

"Zambia has never hosted any organ of the AU and therefore, this will be an opportunity and befitting for a country that has greatly contributed to AU since its establishment," he said.

Hosting of the secretariat would also be in line with Zambia's foreign policy and raise the country's profile on the international arena, he added.

The move, he said, would also enhance business opportunities and boost tourism, among others, a move which will also attract foreign exchange earnings as it would attract meetings at regular intervals.

The current president of the advisory body is a Zambian national, Joseph Chilengi, who was elected at its 2nd general assembly in December 2014.

Zambia currently hosts the secretariat of Africa's largest trading bloc, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMES), a 19-member regional bloc. Endit