The delegation of Kazakhstan took part in the Summit of the African Union

The delegation of Kazakhstan took part in the Summit of the African Union

Addis Ababa, February 20, 2023 – The delegation of Kazakhstan, led by the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ethiopia, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the African Union Barlybay Sadykov took part in the annual 37th Summit of the Heads of State of the African Union, held in the capital of Ethiopia on February 17-18, 2024.

The Summit was attended by more than 40 heads of state and government, ministers of foreign affairs of member states, heads of international organizations - the UN, the UN Environment Program, the League of Arab States, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Organization for Migration, and a number of high-ranking representatives of state- observers to the African Union.

The main issues on the Summit agenda were security threats, conflict resolution, resolving humanitarian crises, strengthening regional integration, education, implementation of the continental development agenda for Africa until 2063, etc.

In his speech H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairman of the AU Commission, emphasized the main problems of the African continent, including conflicts, transnational challenges and threats, political and institutional instability, climate change, shortcomings in economic management, poverty, and social inequality. He also spoke out in support of the Palestinian people, calling the situation in Palestine a violation of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights.

Regarding the situation in the Horn of Africa, Moussa Faki Mahamat called on the countries of the region to fully respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and fundamental interests of all countries in the region.

During the summit, the countries' achievements in the field of economic integration as part of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) were noted. Particular attention at the summit was paid to the issues of expanding access to education, eliminating illiteracy, attracting investment in education and science, reorienting education systems to train the population with the necessary knowledge, competencies, skills and innovations in order to implement the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA).

Following the results of the AU Summit, a number of documents were adopted. The chairmanship of the AU passed from the Union of Comoros to Mauritania. 2024 has been declared the “Year of Education” in Africa.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a meeting with the Executive Director of the UN Environment Program I. Andersen, during which he discussed the upcoming participation of the delegation of Kazakhstan in the 6th UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi from February 26 to March 1.

For reference: Kazakhstan has been an observer country in the AU since 2013.

 

Photo credit: au.int