Addis Ababa, 23 March 2015 (ECA-AUC) - As the Conference of Ministers prepares to focus on implementing the African Union Agenda 2063, the Forum for Former African Heads of State and Government, commonly known as the Africa Forum, will meet this week to share experiences and to support the work of current African governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental institutions.
The 41-member strong Africa Forum will support the work of the multilateral institutions involved in the Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to take place in Addis Ababa from 25-31 March 2015.
The Forum’s many roles include advisory, advocacy, facilitation, leadership and governance development as well as upholding the deep roots of democracy in Africa.
The Forum assists with a wide range of pertinent issues ranging from conflict management, governance to integration and cooperation. Forum members, having come to and left their post through a democratic process, are tasked to address conflict prevention; management and resolution; post‐conflict reconstruction and development; political, social and economic governance; democracy, elections and human rights.
The Africa Forum is designed to champion the implementation of the broad objectives of the African Union (AU) and its New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordination Agency Initiative at national, sub‐regional and regional levels. As such the Forum also assists with regional integration and cooperation and national dialogue for reconciliation; peacemaking, peace building; and the promotion of a culture of tolerance between and among ethnic groups.
The former president of Mozambique, Mr Joaquim Alberto Chissano, currently chairs the Forum and Mr John A. Tesha, a career diplomat and national of the United Republic of Tanzania is the Executive Secretary.
This informal network, founded on 11 January 2006 will, over two days, hold their discussions in closed sessions. The members of the Forum, with their impeccable democratic credentials and integrity, are committed to sharing their individual and collective experiences for the benefit of African people. The members are also committed to not actively participate or seek offices in their national politics. Two more members are expected to be invited shortly.
Jointly Issued by ECA and AUC