By More Matshediso
Johannesburg - African Union (AU) Economic Affairs Commissioner Dr Anthony Mothae Maruping says implementation of the Agenda 2063 of the AU is progressing well so far, and Africa is envisaged to be able to generate its own income.
He said the Agenda 2063 is not a dream but a reality already in progress.
Maruping was giving a progress report and way forward on the first Ten Year Implementation Plan for AU Agenda 2063 during the 27th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, on Thursday, at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg.
“Africa is now in a better position to build on the past and present success such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Experience.
“National, regional and global efforts made to implement NEPAD, unseen during the Lagos Plan of Action (LPA) and the Abuja Treaty, have enabled the AU to build institutions, demonstrate a strong commitment to implement agreed agenda, generate valuable lessons that present strong foundation for Agenda 2063,” said Maruping.
According to Maruping, about 74 Ministers from all over the continent are taking part in the discussions to best implement the agenda.
He said Agenda 2063 is a logical and natural continuation of the NEPAD and other initiatives.
Agenda 2063 seeks a radical transformation of Africa’s growth and development trajectory with the goal of accelerating Africa’s convergence with the rest of world in all fields, including political, social, economic, and cultural among others.
Maruping said the Agenda 2063 is representative of the continent’s citizens in that it expressed their wishes for consolidating peace and security, strengthening the democracy divided in terms of deepening the culture of respect for human rights, justice, strengthening real popular participation and improving livelihoods.
He said Agenda 2063 also seeks to address poverty, create adequate jobs, and close the inequality gap -- of income and opportunity and delivery of critical services -- in health, education, water and sanitation among others.
Maruping said the agenda is also about transforming African economies from merely raw material exporters to ones that are diversified, and competitive in a global system driven by knowledge and value chains.
He said the youth and women empowerment are the focus of the Agenda 2063.
Maruping said extensive consultations were conducted with formations of African society and Diaspora, hence Agenda 2063 is built upon the AU vision and aspirations.
He said an environment in which citizens of the continent will be able to acquire and use skills in Africa should be created through the agenda, and Africans should not be forced by circumstances to move out of the continent but only move on a matter of choice.
Ease of movement in Africa by citizens of the continent is included in the Agenda 2063, and the establishment of continental free trade area has actually started, which will assist in economic growth.
The financing strategy to carry out implementation of Agenda 2063 has been developed.
“Africa 2063 is the path towards an ‘Africa We Want’, and we are therefore calling upon all our partners to respect Africa’s vision and aspirations and align their partnerships appropriately.
“We hope to adapt the First Ten Year Implementation Plan at this Summit, but already many countries are gearing up to domesticate the Agenda,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
