ADDIS ABABA- The 14th annual Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) summit is set to take place in Addis Ababa, providing Ethiopian lawyers with a vital platform to exchange international and continental experiences, the Ethiopian Bar Association (EBA) announced.
EBA President Tewodros Getachew, who heads the organizing committee, confirmed that the summit will run from October 16-19 at the Skylight Hotel. He emphasized the importance of active engagement from Ethiopian lawyers to seize the opportunities presented by this significant continental event.
Tewodros noted that hosting the PALU conference allows national institutions to showcase their achievements while learning from others. The EBA is collaborating with international event organizers to ensure the summit’s success, which is expected to attract around 300 participants from 54 African countries. Currently, PALU has a membership of 6,700 across the continent.
Tewodros, who also serves as PALU’s Vice President, noted that the conference will focus on critical issues such as social justice, business laws, and trans-border legal frameworks. He highlighted the pressing challenges in the continent’s legal sector, particularly the human capacity gap that hinders effective legal practice.
The summit aims to equip legal professionals with the knowledge necessary to foster equitable economic, social, and political developments across Africa. By facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing, the conference seeks to strengthen the legal community’s role in promoting justice and advancing the rule of law throughout the continent, Tewodros remarked.
Founded in 2002, PALU aims to enhance the role of lawyers in advancing human rights and the rule of law across Africa. It serves as a vital network for legal practitioners, providing resources and support to address legal challenges on the continent.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
The Ethiopian Herald October 6/2024
