AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT PREPS KICK-START

By Scoop Reporter

Preparations for the African Union 37^th Heads of States and Government Summit are underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to First Secretary- Press & Tourism at the Zambia Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Inutu Mupango Mwanza, this follows the official opening of the 47^th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC), the primary deliberative body of the African Union.

Ms. Mwanza says this year’s Summit slated for 17^th to 18 February 2024 will be held under the theme: “Educate an African Fit for the 21^st Century: Building Resilience Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa”.

She says the Heads of States Summit will be preceded by the Executive Council which will be held from 14^th to 15^th February 2024.

Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Rose Sakala confirmed that the PRC has already started working on relevant documentation for the forthcoming Summit.

Ms. Sakala says this year’s theme on education resonates well with the Government’s position that has seen the introduction of free education.

She says President Hakainde Hichilema’s position as AU Champion for ending child marriage has encouraged a lot of girls to return to school.

And during the official opening, African Union Commission Chairperson Mousa Faki Mahamat expressed concern at the growing challenges of insecurity not only in Africa but the world at large.

He said it was important for countries engulfed by war to resolve the conflict as innocent civilians were losing lives every day.

The Chairperson also highlighted the economic impact the war has on countries.