03 Jul 2017

Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 29th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union from July 3 to July 4.

A press release from the Ministry International Affairs and Cooperation says the summit will deliberate on the AU theme for 2017: "Harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in the youth."

It says member states are alive to the fact that the youth represent Africa’s greatest asset and make a large proportion of the population.

In this regard, investing in the youth has a potential for economic growth and sustainable development.

The meeting will further discuss key issues on the AU agenda, including the 2018 AU budget, the AU institutional reforms, the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), peace and security in Africa, the master roadmap on practical steps to silencing the guns in Africa by the year 2020.

The summit is also expected to appoint two AU commissioners, four members of the AU advisory board on corruption and four members of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).

The Assembly of the Heads of State and Government was preceded by the 31st ordinary session of the executive council from 30 June to 1 July, and the 34th ordinary session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee from 27 to 28 June 2017.

The Vice President is accompanied by the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and senior government officials.

His entourage is expected to return on July 4. ENDS