Zambia hosts AU Agenda 2063

African Union Commissioner for Economic Affairs Anthony Maruping.

African Union Commissioner for Economic Affairs Anthony Maruping.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda says it is motivating that the African leadership has committed to continue their pursuance of the Pan – African vision of integration, a prosperous and peaceful African continent.

Speaking during the official opening of the African Union forum on Agenda 2063, Mr. Chikwanda says the Agenda 2063, an instrument that will facilitate realization of the state commitment, is a plan for Africa’s structural transformation, whose, preparation has widely benefited from stakeholders’ consultations.

Mr. Chikwanda says this is a first homegrown continental strategic document ever produced, based on the bottom up approach and not usual top-down approach.

He says the strategic document is expected to respond to the needs of the people.

Mr Chikwanda says in order for Agenda 2063 to be implemented effectively at the level of the regions and member states, it must be reflected in the regional and national planning frameworks.

He adds that he is aware that Agenda 2063 will facilitate among others rapid movement towards regional integration by identifying key drivers of integration such as trade and investment, the free movement of people, infrastructure development and the skills revolution.

The Finance Minister has since urged participants at the forum to put in place well defined mechanisms for actualization of the outcomes of the meeting.

Speaking at the same event, African Union (AU) Commissioner Anthony Maruping says he believes that the success of the Agenda 2063 lies with Member States as fundamental actors and that as such it is important for Member States to domesticate Agenda 2063 in their national and regional plans.

Dr. Maruping says the previous plans did not succeed partly because of lack of the relevant financing of the framework.

He says it is for this reason that during the workshop, participants will discuss strategies for financing Agenda 2063 in order to ensure successful implementation.

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