∙ AU Summit Opens
ADDIS ABABA–The 32nd African Union Heads of State and Government’s summit of the year 2019 themed with; “The Year of Refugees, Returnees and IDPs: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced displacement in Africa” opened today /February 10/2019/ in its Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the opening statements, United nations Secretary General António Guterres has stressed on three major challenges in Africa which are going to be the major areas of partnership between the African Union and United Nations. The major areas of partnerships according to him are; sustainable development, peace and security and climate change.
The Strategic partnership between UNs and AU are providing fruits as the condition of peace and security sector of Africa has been improving, the UNs Chief said before he went on to say that Ethiopian and Eritrean rapprochement as the result of the extraordinary leadership courage of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Ph.D) is changing the region in to peaceful and stable.
IGAD’s efforts in ending the South Sudanese conflict, the cease fire in Libya, the peaceful transfer of power in Democratic Republic of Congo, and elections in Madagascar, Malawi and other African nations are among the remarkable progress in the continent that shows the joint interventions of the African Union and UNs, he stressed.
According to Guterres, ensuring sustainable development, peace and climate change mitigation are the way forward for cooperation with African leaders.
African Union Commissioner (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat said that the change in Africa’s economic, social, health, trade and other sectors has been further strengthened.
Bill Gates, co-chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in his speech, said that his organization is doing an active job in various sectors across Africa for improving the lives of many people.
He said African countries have undertaken various activities on health, infrastructure development, poverty reduction programs, social and economic issues.
In the last 20 years, he has invested $ 50 billion in poverty reduction in Africa and improving the health sector in Africa.
In addition, gates noted that he will continue to strengthen their efforts in the economic and health sectors of Africa.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) said his organization is undertaking various activities in the health sector in Africa to address the health problems.
To this end, the organization is actively promoting the health sector by improving the economy.
Therefore, in order to avoid the problems in the health sector, it has been necessary to prioritize prevention and control rather than medical care.
Finally, Dr. Tedros called for the establishment of strong and democratic leadership to prevent and control disease outbreaks and to prioritize the development of the country’s economy in the health sector.
Incoming AU Chairperson President el-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt said on his part he will continue serving the Union in ensuring peace and security.
He said he should work to focus on preventing terrorism.
Sisi also stressed the importance of climate change in the world, which should be driven by environmental protection.
BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
