Strengthening the links between Canada, NEPAD and the AU

Talks that will strengthen the collaboration between the NEPAD Secretariat and the Government of Canada on the implementation of the strategic goals and priorities of the African Union (AU) and NEPAD took place at the headquarters of the Secretariat in Midrand, South Africa, on 13 May 2008.

In welcoming the Director-General (Africa) of the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, David Angell, the acting Chief Executive of NEPAD, Amb. Olukorede Willoughby, praised Canada for its support since the inception of NEPAD in 2001. He said Canada had been a worthy partner in the march towards the realisation of the NEPAD vision and mission.

He highlighted Canada’s support for Africa under the G8/OECD partnership with Africa, and acknowledged Canada’s role in developing the G8 Kananaskis Africa Action Plan in 2002. He also referred to the valuable contribution of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to Africa’s socio-economic programmes and projects.

Mr. Angell expressed the readiness of the Canadian Government to continue to support Africa’s critical sectors under the various initiatives of the AU and NEPAD.

The integration of NEPAD into the structures and processes of the African Union was discussed.

Ambassador Willoughby said integration was intended to reinforce the implementation of NEPAD as a continent-wide socio-economic programme and ensure that NEPAD had the appropriate linkages with AU organs and institutions to promote full African ownership, leadership and management of Africa’s development agenda and process.

The talks also focused on the functioning of the Africa Partnership Forum (APF), which held its 10th meeting in Tokyo, Japan, in April 2008.

The representatives of NEPAD and Canada agreed that the two countries would consult further on proposals to promote the APF as a major mechanism for driving engagement between Africa and its development partners, including multilateral economic institutions and the Regional Economic Communities in Africa (RECs).

Present at the meeting were Lisa Stadelbauer, Director (Eastern and Southern Division), Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade ; and Brennen Young, Trade Commissioner, High Commission of Canada in South Africa. In attendance for the NEPAD Secretariat were Gengezi Mgidlana, Special Advisor to the CEO (Strategy and Plans) and Bankole Adeoye, Coordinator (External Relations and Partnerships). Source : NEPAD, may 23, 2008

Progress with CAADP to be discussed in Japan

A two-hour presentation and panel discussion on the implementation of the NEPAD Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) will be held on 28 May 2008 during the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICADIV) in Yokohama, Japan, to provide key stakeholders with the latest information on this important African initiative.

Ambassador Olukorede Willoughby, acting CEO of NEPAD, will introduce NEPAD and CAADP as an Africa-led initiative and framework to rationalise and revitalise African agriculture for economic growth and lasting poverty reduction.

The panelists will include key leaders in the agriculture sector from various institutions and development agencies including the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), World Bank, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), NEPAD, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Global Platform on Rural Development.

The participants will discuss the progress of CAADP implementation from their different perspectives and will identify emerging opportunities as well as potential solutions to the challenges facing Africa within the framework of the CAADP.

* TICADIV is taking place from 28-30 May 2008 with the theme “Towards a vibrant Africa : continent of hope and opportunities”. Source : NEPAD, may 23, 2008

NEPAD Calendar of events

 20-23 May, Delegation from the United Nations Office of the Special Advisor on Africa to visit the NEPAD Secretariat, Midrand, South Africa.
 20-23 May, AU-NEPAD food and nutrition security workshop, Centurion, South Africa.
 28-30 May, Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICADIV), Yokohama, Japan. Source : NEPAD, may 23, 2008

NEPAD TV schedule

The next NEPAD TV programmes on the SABC Africa channel (DSTV Channel 407) are :

African Views
 28 May, 8pm-9pm (SA time)

This phone-in discussion will be led by Prof Mzobanzi Mboya, education advisor, NEPAD Secretariat.

The topic : Education and culture in Africa

The panelists will be : Prof. Patrick Ebewo, Tswane University of Technology, South Africa ; Prof. Meki Nzewi, professor of African music, theory and practice, University of Pretoria, South Africa ; Dr. Neville Alexander, project for the study of alternative education in South Africa, University of Cape Town ; Ms. Pumla Madiba, chief executive officer, Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural Religious and Linguistic Communities, South Africa. Source : NEPAD, may 23, 2008

NEPAD-Spanish Fund call for completed documents

The disbursement of funds from the NEPAD-Spanish Fund for the Empowerment of Women is continuing The various organisations have cooperated in submitting documents that have been requested and this is appreciated.

All organisations that have already received disbursements are requested to acknowledge receipt of the funds to the NEPAD Secretariat. Applicants who have not yet completed and returned their banking detail forms, are urged to do so.

Applicants with incomplete documentation who have been contacted are also requested to submit the information as soon as possible.

The NEPAD Secretariat greatly appreciates your cooperation. Source : NEPAD, may 23, 2008 Source : NEPAD, may 23, 2008