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African Union envoys meet ahead of leaders' summit

Xinhua, January 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

Ambassadors of the African Union (AU)'s 54 member countries kicked off a three-day meeting here on Thursday to discuss key African issues ahead of the leaders' summit.

The 31st ordinary session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) of the African Union was held under the framework of the 26th AU summit at the headquarters of the pan-African bloc in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

Preceded by the session of the Executive Council to be held from Jan. 27-28, the summit of the AU heads of states will be held from Jan. 30 to 31, under the theme, "Year of Human Rights, with a special focus on the rights of women."

During their three-day PRC meeting, the ambassadors of 54-member countries are expected to consider the reports of the various activities of their sub-committees.

The PRC exchanges views on the draft agenda as well as the draft decisions and declarations of the 28th ordinary session of the Executive Council, and those of the 26th AU Summit, before adopting their report.

In her opening remarks, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, underlined the need to continue to strengthen efforts to ensure peace and security and developed culture of democracy in Africa.

"During 2015, the majority of democratic transitions and elections on the continent, with some notable exceptions, went well and should be used as a platform to build inclusive and effective institutions that involve citizens in governance not only during elections but as we implement Agenda 2063 in our national context," she said.

Speaking on the occasion, Albert Chimbindi, current PRC Chairperson, noted that the PRC session would deliberate among other items, on the report of the restructuring of the AU Commission, its organs and agencies and field offices, the report on the evaluation of partnerships.

A new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2016, who will be elected during the leaders' summit, will take over from the AU Chairperson for 2015, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Endit