13th AU SUMMIT PRESS RELEASE N.21/2009
AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE CALL FOR COMMON AFRICAN POSITION ON AGRICULTURE AND SOLID FRAMEWORK FOR FOOD SECURITY
Sirte, 1st July 2009 - African Union Heads of States gathered in Sirte, Libya, today Wednesday 1st July 2009, within the framework of the 13th Ordinary Session of the Summit of the African Union, under the Chairmanship of Leader Mouammar Ghaddafi, Leader of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, and Chairperson of the African Union.
Holding under the theme: “Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”, the opening ceremony was full of enlightening speeches by guest speakers focusing on Agriculture and food security; climate change; peace and security in Africa; unconstitutional change of governments, and the respect of universal jurisdiction, amongst other Leader Muammar Ghaddafi called on the need for an acceleration of the integration process in Africa so that AU Member States could unite and be one, talking with one voice in international and continental fora, adopting common positions on crucial issues that has impact on the development of the continent, and join force to be able to overcome the many socio-economic and political challenges Africa is facing today.
Leader Ghaddafi congratulated the newly elected Presidents of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma and Professor John Evans Atta- Mills, President of Ghana as well as the acting President of Gabon, Mrs. Rose Francine Rogombe. A minute of silence was observed during the opening ceremony of the Summit, in memory of late President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.
Addressing the Summit, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Jean Ping, began by thanking the Libyan Government for the hospitality and fraternity expressed during this Summit. He welcomed all the external partners and friends of the AU who honored the invitation to attend the Summit, some of whom he said, were attending the AU Summit for the first time. They are: Mr. Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federal Republic of Brazil; His Altess Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani,amongst other.
Mr. Ping indicated that the Summit is holding within a context of a global economic recession and that Africa has to work very hard to overcome the challenges in order to alleviate the living standard of its population. He said the choice of theme of the 13th AU Summit expresses the determination of the AU to find concrete solution to meet up the expectation of the Africans in the Agriculture sector. . (see speech of Mr. Jean Ping on the AU Website: www.africa-union.org).
A Climate Change Solution for an Enhanced Agriculture
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary later, Mrs. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, said, Summits must be used to mobilize action to protect the poorest and most vulnerable given that more than “half of all Africans currently live in extreme poverty”. She said agriculture has always been the cornerstone of development in every region, not just in Africa. Agriculture investment, she said, creates jobs, sustainable economic growth, as well as increase food and nutritional security. “Empowering women smallholder famers should be part of a broader commitment to ensure that women play leadership roles across our economic, political and social development fields”, she emphasized.
Mrs. Migiro further explained that tackling climate change must be a top priority as this will enhance efforts to support agriculture and reduce hunger. She hoped that African leaders would adopt a common African position on climate change during the Copenhagen summit scheduled to take place in December 2009. (See speech of Mrs. Mongiro on the AU Website: www.africa-union.org).
Stronger Partnerships for Development
Taking the floor, Mr. Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS), said the theme: “Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”, is appropriate as it reflects the real needs of the African people. He expressed the readiness of the LAS to support the initiatives of the Africans in trade negotiations and agriculture oriented programs amongst others. Mr. Amr Moussa mentioned the threat of instability caused by conflicts in most African countries saying that Africa and the Arab world have to work hand in hand within the framework of the Afro-Arab cooperation, to combat the recurrence of conflicts and ensure a peaceful environment for its population. (See speech of Mr. Amr Moussa, on the AU Website: www.africa-union.org).
According to President Luis Inacio Lula of Brazil, no one better the Africans themselves can solve their problems. He outlined the cultural similarities in terms of language, music, and religion amongst others, underscoring the need for both countries to reinforce their cooperation ties, so that together they can combat face the global economic crisis and other challenges. (See speech of President Luis Inacio Lula, on the AU Website: www.africa-union.org).
Other key speakers at the Summit included: the representative of the association of traditional Chiefs, made up of traditional Kings, Sultans, Prince and Sheikhs; the Emir of Qatar and Commissioner Louis Michel of the European Union were amongst the eminent personalities who were present in the Summit.