Pretoria - The 22nd Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) of the African Union (AU) opened will calls for African solidarity, dialogue and mutual understanding.
Opening the session on Thursday at the Sipopo Conference Center in Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Jean Ping the chairperson of the AU Commission, stressed that Africa needed solidarity in order to tackle the many challenges it was facing.
Ping said Africa had proven to the world that Africans could solve their problems by themselves.
He expressed satisfaction over the improved collaboration between the PRC and the AU Commission, saying that the recent retreat which took place in Nazareth, Ethiopia, helped to reinforce the mutual respect and understanding between the two organs of the Union.
He also reiterated the commission's commitment to continue in its efforts to improve its financial and administrative management in compliance with the rules and regulations of the organisation.
Ping underscored the need for Africa to continue to have a common position in issues that affects the continent and speak with one voice so as to command respect for the continent.
"In order to achieve this responsibility, the AU will require dynamic, political and material support from its Member States," he said.
"2012 will be a special year... we are determined more than ever before to face the challenges before us...we have to rise up to the challenges...this will require innovation with the fast technological changes in the world," said Ping, calling on the ambassadors to do their best to meet the objectives of the union.
Ping underscored the willingness of the AU to work closely with its partners, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Pan African Parliament, the civil society, and the private sector, among others, to help implement the integration agenda and development of the continent.
The PRC will review most of the working documents and draft decisions in preparation for the 19th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council scheduled to take place from 26 to 28 June 2011. Deliberations from there will make it to the 17th AU Summit to be held under the theme "Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development"
