The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) took part in the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)'s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) introductory meeting with the African Diplomatic Corps as well as cooperating and implementing partners, in Pretoria, South Africa.
Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas officially assumed the role of AUDA-NEPAD's CEO on 1st May 2022. The working lunch was convened to allow for discussions on strengthening and expanding the ongoing programmes with African Union Member States and Development Partners.The platform also provided for discussions on the future initiatives, in the areas of Gender, Youth and Private Sector Engagement to adavnce the implementation of #Agenda2063 and AUDA NEPAD Programmes that are being implemented with Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
H.E. Chief Fortune Fortune Charumbira congratulated Mrs. Bekele-Thomas on her appointment and pledged the Pan-African Parliament's support in the realisation of her mandate as the new CEO.
"The PAP and AU-NEPAD are two institutions that were establishment to concretize the commitment to make the African Union a people-centered organization. With AU-NEPAD being the implementing arm, the PAP shall ensure that the citizens are given a platform to actively participate in the conceptualization of the policies aimed at achieving the Africa We Want. The collaboration between the two institutions is therefore paramount," said PAP President.
At the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government in Nouakchott, Mauritania, June 2018, a decision was taken to transform the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency into the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD). The establishment of AUDA-NEPAD is part of the global reforms geared at improving the Union’s impact and operational efficiency.
The establishment of the Pan-African Parliament is informed by a vision to provide a common platform for African peoples and their grass-roots organizations to be more involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent.
