ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Xinhua) — The 17th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) of the African Union (AU) kicks off here on Monday, making preparation for a series of following AU meetings.
Jean Ping, Chairperson of the AU Commission, the executive body of the organization, said that the AU meetings will call for stepped-up infrastructure development on the African continent, stressing that improved infrastructure will facilitate the physical integration of Africa, and development plans will be carried out through specific projects.
He also urged African states to shore up cooperation and mutual respect, and advocated a spirit of exchange and comprehension, openness and transparency.
Jean Ping also reiterated the promise of improving AU’s human and financial resources, saying these resources will make the AU a credible and efficient international body.
According to the PRC Chairperson Mohammed Maundi, permanent representative of Tanzania, the meeting’s agenda covers six categories, including political, economic, financial, and administrative issues in Africa, in a bid to prepare documents for the following AU Executive Council meeting.
Maundi specifically mentioned the impact of the recent global financial crisis on Africa.
“Again, poverty and underdevelopment are posing a serious challenge, particularly in light of a recent global financial crisis,” he said. “The economic outlook of the continent for this year is therefore not as encouraging as we would like to be.”
“We are expecting declines in commodities prices, remittances, investments and inflow of international tourists,” he said.
Thus he called for unity and responsibility among African nations to “sail us through the distress and difficulties ahead”.
During the two-day meeting, African permanent representatives to the AU will discuss topics including the Draft Strategic Plan for 2009-2012, the Status of OAU (Organization of African Unity)/AU Treaties, the Afro-Arab Cooperation, the Africa-EU Dialogue, and the partnership for Africa’s development.