11 th Regional Seminar of the ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8 July 2010 Ensuring the successful implementation of.

1111thth Regional Seminar of the ACP- Regional Seminar of the ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest EU Economic and Social Interest

Groups,Groups,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

8 July 20108 July 2010

Ensuring the successful implementation of Ensuring the successful implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategythe Joint Africa-EU Strategy

8 July 20108 July 2010

Dr. Maxwell M. MkwezalambaDr. Maxwell M. Mkwezalamba

Commissioner for Economic AffairsCommissioner for Economic Affairs

African Union CommissionAfrican Union Commission11

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

1.1. The Joint StrategyThe Joint Strategy2.2. The First Action PlanThe First Action Plan3.3. Implementation architectureImplementation architecture4.4. Progress to dateProgress to date5.5. ChallengesChallenges6.6. Way ahead: Improving implementationWay ahead: Improving implementation7.7. Way ahead: Key recommendationsWay ahead: Key recommendations

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1. The Joint Strategy1. The Joint Strategy BackgroundBackground

Strategy jointly developed by Africa and EUStrategy jointly developed by Africa and EU Takes account of new and emerging Takes account of new and emerging

challenges:challenges:

o Facing AfricaFacing Africa

o Facing the EUFacing the EU

o Facing the whole worldFacing the whole world Long term approachLong term approach New approach (characterised by equality)New approach (characterised by equality) Complements existing bilateral relationsComplements existing bilateral relations

Adopted in December 2007 in Lisbon, Adopted in December 2007 in Lisbon, PortugalPortugal

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ContextContext• Common values: Respect for human Common values: Respect for human

rights, freedom, equality, justice, rights, freedom, equality, justice, democracy, etc.democracy, etc.

• Emerging challengesEmerging challenges

PrinciplesPrinciples• Unity of Africa; one and undivided AfricaUnity of Africa; one and undivided Africa• Interdependence between Africa and EUInterdependence between Africa and EU• Ownership and joint responsibilityOwnership and joint responsibility• EqualityEquality 44

1. The Joint Strategy1. The Joint StrategyObjectivesObjectives• To reinforce and elevate the Africa-EU political To reinforce and elevate the Africa-EU political

partnership to address issues of common partnership to address issues of common concern e.g. peace and security, migration,concern e.g. peace and security, migration,

• Address challenges facing Africa e.g. Address challenges facing Africa e.g. sustainable economic development, regional sustainable economic development, regional integration, MDGsintegration, MDGs

• Jointly promote a system of effective Jointly promote a system of effective multilateralism and address global challenges multilateralism and address global challenges and common concerns e.g. climate change, and common concerns e.g. climate change, terrorism, HIV/AIDSterrorism, HIV/AIDS

• Facilitate and promote broad-based and wide-Facilitate and promote broad-based and wide-ranging people-centred partnership by ranging people-centred partnership by empowering non-state actors and creating the empowering non-state actors and creating the enabling environment for their effectivenessenabling environment for their effectiveness55

1. The Joint Strategy1. The Joint Strategy

The four clustersThe four clusters

• Peace and securityPeace and security

• Governance and human rightsGovernance and human rights

• Trade and regional integrationTrade and regional integration

• Key development issuesKey development issues

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2. The First Action Plan2. The First Action Plan• Adopted in Lisbon in December 2007Adopted in Lisbon in December 2007

• Eight PartnershipsEight Partnerships

1. 1. Partnership on Peace and Security Partnership on Peace and Security

2. Partnership on Democratic Governance and 2. Partnership on Democratic Governance and Human RightsHuman Rights

3. Partnership on Trade, Regional Integration & 3. Partnership on Trade, Regional Integration & InfrastructureInfrastructure

4. Partnership on the Millennium Developments 4. Partnership on the Millennium Developments GoalsGoals

5. Partnership on Energy5. Partnership on Energy

6. Partnership on Climate Change6. Partnership on Climate Change

7. Partnership on Migration, Mobility and 7. Partnership on Migration, Mobility and Employment Employment

8. Partnership on Science, Information Society and 8. Partnership on Science, Information Society and Space Space

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3. Implementation architecture3. Implementation architecture- Stakeholders- Stakeholders

• The two CommissionsThe two Commissions• Member StatesMember States• PAP and European ParliamentPAP and European Parliament• Civil society, ECOSOCC, European Economic Civil society, ECOSOCC, European Economic

and Social Council (EESC), research and Social Council (EESC), research institutes and think-tanksinstitutes and think-tanks

• Regional Economic Communities (RECs)Regional Economic Communities (RECs)• The private SectorThe private Sector• Other international actorsOther international actors

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4. Progress to date4. Progress to date-Structure and process-Structure and process

• Implementation architecture endorsedImplementation architecture endorsed• Implementation teams formed on both sidesImplementation teams formed on both sides• Joint Expert Group (JEG) guidelines adoptedJoint Expert Group (JEG) guidelines adopted• 8 JEGs formed8 JEGs formed

• Member States actively participatingMember States actively participating• A number of RECs have joined the A number of RECs have joined the

implementation processimplementation process• 1212thth Ministerial Troika paved the way for Ministerial Troika paved the way for

civil society participation in JEG activitiescivil society participation in JEG activities• Enlargement of the AUC-EU Joint Task Force to Enlargement of the AUC-EU Joint Task Force to

include RECs, parliaments, JEG co-chairs, civil include RECs, parliaments, JEG co-chairs, civil societysociety

• Joint website launched: Joint website launched: www.africa-eu-partnership.org

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4. Progress to date 4. Progress to date -Concrete deliverables?-Concrete deliverables?

• The level of success recorded has become a subjective The level of success recorded has become a subjective mattermatter• African perspective: Development focusAfrican perspective: Development focus• EU perspective: Political focusEU perspective: Political focus

• Assessment Report of October 2009 has highlighted Assessment Report of October 2009 has highlighted some achievements:some achievements:• Enhanced political dialogue at continental level (AU Enhanced political dialogue at continental level (AU

PSC-EU PSC meetings); 1billion Euro funding in PSC-EU PSC meetings); 1billion Euro funding in support of African peace and security etc.support of African peace and security etc.

• 1 million Euro AU Electoral Assistance Fund; AU 1 million Euro AU Electoral Assistance Fund; AU observers participation in EU Parliamentary observers participation in EU Parliamentary elections; 2.7 billion Euro Governance Initiative elections; 2.7 billion Euro Governance Initiative TrancheTranche

• 1 billion Euro EC food facility, with 560m Euro 1 billion Euro EC food facility, with 560m Euro earmarked for Africa, etc.earmarked for Africa, etc.

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4. Progress to date 4. Progress to date -Concrete deliverables?-Concrete deliverables?

• There is near consensus that There is near consensus that implementation performance since Lisbon implementation performance since Lisbon has not been impressivehas not been impressive

• The First Action Plan (2008-2010) remains The First Action Plan (2008-2010) remains largely unimplementedlargely unimplemented

• As we approach another Summit, scheduled As we approach another Summit, scheduled for 29-30 November 2010, we need to look for 29-30 November 2010, we need to look back to see areas of weakness and discuss back to see areas of weakness and discuss ways of improving performanceways of improving performance

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5. Challenges5. Challenges

• Respecting the principle of Respecting the principle of Treating Africa as one Treating Africa as one agreed in agreed in the Joint Strategythe Joint Strategy

• Adequate financial resources for: Adequate financial resources for: – Implementation of the projects/activitiesImplementation of the projects/activities– The architecture (Cost of participation in JEG meetings The architecture (Cost of participation in JEG meetings

and related activities)and related activities)• Full involvement of all stakeholders, including Full involvement of all stakeholders, including

• RECsRECs• Private sectorPrivate sector• The ParliamentsThe Parliaments• Civil societyCivil society

• Capacity of the JEGs to deliverCapacity of the JEGs to deliver• Lack of ownership/commitmentLack of ownership/commitment• Lack of effective communicationLack of effective communication

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6. Way ahead6. Way ahead How do we ensure successful How do we ensure successful

implementation? implementation?

A. A. Respecting the principle of Respecting the principle of Treating Africa as Treating Africa as one one agreed in the Joint Strategyagreed in the Joint Strategy

• Africa must be treated as one and undivided entity Africa must be treated as one and undivided entity within the framework of continental cooperationwithin the framework of continental cooperation

• The present situation where the continent is divided The present situation where the continent is divided into three parts (North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and into three parts (North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa) is not in conformity with the Joint South Africa) is not in conformity with the Joint StrategyStrategy

• To show commitment to continental cooperation To show commitment to continental cooperation therefore, the EU needs to take adequate steps to therefore, the EU needs to take adequate steps to amend existing instruments to support the amend existing instruments to support the requirements of the Joint Strategyrequirements of the Joint Strategy

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6. Way ahead6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful How do we ensure successful

implementation? implementation?

B. Resources/FinancingB. Resources/Financing• Addressing the question of financing is fundamental Addressing the question of financing is fundamental

to the success of the Joint strategy. Without to the success of the Joint strategy. Without financing, not much can be achieved.financing, not much can be achieved.

• This is a shared responsibility, so the two sides must This is a shared responsibility, so the two sides must continue to work together to find a lasting solutioncontinue to work together to find a lasting solution

• Private sector and other sourcesPrivate sector and other sources• A Pan-African envelope or Africa’s Integration Fund A Pan-African envelope or Africa’s Integration Fund

should be establishedshould be established• More information on existing instruments, including More information on existing instruments, including

ways of accessing them should also be providedways of accessing them should also be provided

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6. Way ahead6. Way ahead How do we ensure successful How do we ensure successful

implementation? implementation?

C. The next Action PlanC. The next Action Plan• Should not be very different in substance from the current Should not be very different in substance from the current

oneone• Should indicate clear timelines, benchmarks, deliverables, Should indicate clear timelines, benchmarks, deliverables,

actors, cost estimates, financial resources available, etc.actors, cost estimates, financial resources available, etc.• Activities should be streamlined and have clear added Activities should be streamlined and have clear added

value, not duplicating existing initiativesvalue, not duplicating existing initiatives• Should focus on activities that have clear regional, Should focus on activities that have clear regional,

continental and global dimensionscontinental and global dimensions• Should be based on African strategic prioritiesShould be based on African strategic priorities• Principles of comparative advantage, subsidiarity and Principles of comparative advantage, subsidiarity and

complementarity must be respectedcomplementarity must be respected• Should have a proven buy-in of key actors such as RECsShould have a proven buy-in of key actors such as RECs

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6. Way ahead6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful How do we ensure successful

implementation? implementation? D. Joint Expert Groups (JEGs)D. Joint Expert Groups (JEGs)• Address the problem of linkage with national and regional Address the problem of linkage with national and regional

levels (current disconnect)levels (current disconnect)• Need to identify existing relevant structures and Need to identify existing relevant structures and

processes [MDGs; Climate change; Trade; Regional processes [MDGs; Climate change; Trade; Regional Integration and Infrastructure]Integration and Infrastructure]

• Address the issue of lack of political guidance (due to Address the issue of lack of political guidance (due to informal nature)informal nature)

• Improve quality of participation in JEG meetings, and Improve quality of participation in JEG meetings, and ensure broader participationensure broader participation

• Member States should pay for experts’ participation in JEG Member States should pay for experts’ participation in JEG meetingsmeetings

• Clearer definition of the role of co-chairsClearer definition of the role of co-chairs• Possible secretarial support and technical assistancePossible secretarial support and technical assistance

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6. Way ahead6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful How do we ensure successful

implementation? implementation?

E. Balance between political and E. Balance between political and development dimensiondevelopment dimension

• Africa emphasises development; EU Africa emphasises development; EU emphasises political aspects: Need to strike a emphasises political aspects: Need to strike a balance between the twobalance between the two

• Should be clear that political dialogue is a Should be clear that political dialogue is a means to an end, not an end in itselfmeans to an end, not an end in itself

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6. Way ahead6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful How do we ensure successful

implementation? implementation?

F. Stakeholder involvementF. Stakeholder involvementAll stakeholders will continue to be All stakeholders will continue to be engaged with a view to bringing them on engaged with a view to bringing them on board:board:

• RECs: The AUC-RECs coordination meetings RECs: The AUC-RECs coordination meetings will have the Joint Strategy as a constant will have the Joint Strategy as a constant agenda itemagenda item

• The private sector: The EU-Africa Business The private sector: The EU-Africa Business Forum could be a good platform for Forum could be a good platform for engagementengagement

• Civil society, Pan-African and European Civil society, Pan-African and European Parliaments will also be engaged through Parliaments will also be engaged through appropriate fora appropriate fora

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6. Way ahead6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful How do we ensure successful

implementation? implementation?

G. OwnershipG. Ownership• To date, one of the key problems of To date, one of the key problems of

implementation is the lack of ownershipimplementation is the lack of ownership• All aforementioned stakeholders must own All aforementioned stakeholders must own

the processthe process• Member States in particular, need to Member States in particular, need to

demonstrate ownership by committing demonstrate ownership by committing resources and participating fully at all stages resources and participating fully at all stages of the implementation processof the implementation process

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7. Way ahead7. Way ahead Key recommendations Key recommendations

• Take political decision to initiate and speed Take political decision to initiate and speed up the process of aligning existing financing up the process of aligning existing financing instruments to the requirements of the Joint instruments to the requirements of the Joint StrategyStrategy

• Take a political decision to establish a Pan-Take a political decision to establish a Pan-African Fund or an African Integration FacilityAfrican Fund or an African Integration Facility

• Strike a balance between development and Strike a balance between development and political dimensionspolitical dimensions

• Ensure full participation of all stakeholdersEnsure full participation of all stakeholders• Member States should demonstrate greater Member States should demonstrate greater

commitment by providing appropriate commitment by providing appropriate expertiseexpertise 2020

7. Way ahead7. Way ahead Key recommendations Key recommendations

• Make political commitment to implement Make political commitment to implement a joint project that is promising and visible a joint project that is promising and visible in each of the five regions of Africa, e.g. in each of the five regions of Africa, e.g. constructing the Inga Dam in Central constructing the Inga Dam in Central AfricaAfrica

• Put in place a strategy for the adoption of Put in place a strategy for the adoption of common positions on key issues such as common positions on key issues such as Reform of the UN, climate change, Reform of the UN, climate change, environmental protection, global economic environmental protection, global economic and financial crisis, attainment of the and financial crisis, attainment of the MDGs, etcMDGs, etc

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Thank you for your kind attention.Thank you for your kind attention.

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