African Union Summit opens with calls for coordinated efforts towards prosperity and peace
Date
2/19/2023 7:10:31 AM
(MENAFN) On Saturday, dozens of African heads of state and government gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the official opening of the African Union (AU) summit. The summit began with a minute of silence observed in solidarity with Turkey and Syria for the victims of the earthquakes, following a request by the new chairperson of the AU Commission, Azali Assoumani, who is also the president of Comoros.
Assoumani emphasized the need for coordinated efforts by African countries to achieve peace and prosperity through the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He also highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges faced by the continent, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, also addressed the summit and stressed the need for economic action to support Africa's potential for prosperity. Guterres noted that while Africa has rich potential, it is not rich in global support, with developing countries often left in the dark when it comes to access to finance and debt relief. He called for a radical transformation of the global financing architecture to address this issue.
The AU summit provides a platform for leaders to discuss various issues affecting the continent, including peace and security, economic development, and climate change. The summit is expected to address a range of topics, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflicts in various parts of the continent.
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