UN System-wide Support to the African Union and its NEPAD programme

1. UN System-wide Support to the African Union and its NEPAD programme Meeting of the Committee of Experts of the Joint Annual Meetings of the AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and ECA Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development 26-29 March 2008

2. Background  In 2002, United Nations General Assembly adopted NEPAD as framework to support Africa’s development UN system developed comprehensive structures at global, regional and national levels to channel its collective efforts to support the initiative and ensure maximum results Regional Consultation Mechanism (RCM) established to coordinate support to NEPAD by all UN agencies and organizations working in Africa, with ECA designated as coordinator Thematic clusters based on the priorities of NEPAD created within the RCM

3. Presentation Overview Update on the UN system-wide support to the AU and its NEPAD Programme Overview of ECA support to the AU and its NEPAD Programme since the Seventh RCM Highlights of main issues and recommendations of Eighth RCM, and those pertaining to subregional coordination Proposals on way forward for consideration and endorsement by Ministers, with a view to ensure the provision of effective support to the AU and its NEPAD Programme

4. UN System-wide support Cluster achievements

5. Infrastructure Development Cluster Water Contributed to the strengthening of regional cooperation during 2007 Provided institutional support to African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW) Strengthened collaboration with water units of respective REC’s and with African Network of Basin Organizations Developed common positions and perspectives on water Energy Strengthened capacities in decision making at national and sub-regional levels Provided support to the AU Commission in developing an Africa Energy Vision 2030 Contributed to the development of Africa’s perspectives and/or positions on key issues ICT NEPAD Short Term Action Plan (STAP) on infrastructure. Follow-up to World Summit on Information Society and the African Regional Action Plan on the Knowledge Economy CONNECT Africa Summit October 2007 Transport Collaboration focused on main decisions of the regional institutions Supported NEPAD programme on transport and participated in relevant ministerial conferences

6. 2. Governance Cluster Political Governance Provided support to African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and to Seventh African Governance Forum (AGF-VII) Participated in NEPAD Steering Committee meetings, the Heads of State and Government meetings and the Africa Partnership Forum Economic Governance Supported creation of positive environment for investment and economic growth- economic reforms, restructuring international aid and debt reduction

7. 3. Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development Cluster implemented number of collaborative activities in the AU/NEPAD agriculture, food security and rural development agenda support implementation of NEPAD Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), and Supported various ministerial conferences related to food security and agricultural development

8. 4. Environment, Population and Urbanization Cluster Activities focused on three thematic areas: Sustainable NEPAD Cities Data monitoring and evaluation of progress in achievements of NEPAD goals in environment, population and urbanization Development and implementation of the Environment Initiative of NEPAD e.g. financial and technical support provided to RECs to develop Subregional Environmental Action Plans

9. 5. Human Resources Development, Employment and HIV/AIDS Cluster prepared joint AU/NEPAD-UN/UNICEF work plan aligned to AU/NEPAD priorities guided by the Ten-Year Capacity Building Programme for the AU contributed to implementation of the Plan of Action of the Second Decade of Education for Africa participated in AU/NEPAD strategic annual activities in support of Child Survival, Development and Protection

10. 6. Science and Technology Cluster actively participated in elaboration of the AU/NEPAD Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) UNESCO’s General Conference adopted plan for implementation of CPA 7. Advocacy and Communications Cluster collaborated with NEPAD Secretariat preparing and presenting report of General Assembly on the implementation of NEPAD involved in NEPAD-organized communications workshop held in Ghana and in follow-up meetings

11. 8. Peace and Security Cluster Peace and Security Architecture of the AU Sub-Cluster: provides training, military, police, logistics, finance and communication support to AU-PSOD and AUC Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development Sub-Cluster: supported AU to develop comprehensive and strategic policy on Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD). undertook preparation of assessment reports documenting status of 12 post conflict countries recovery and reconstruction Human Rights, Justice and Reconciliation Sub-Cluster: series of meetings and consultations with continental bodies such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights led to the adoption, by the African Commission, of a resolution in support of the operationalization of the Ten-year Capacity Building Programme namely, ‘The provision of capacity building expertise/support to the AU in the establishment of the African Standby Force and the planning, mounting and managing of peace support missions.’namely, ‘The provision of capacity building expertise/support to the AU in the establishment of the African Standby Force and the planning, mounting and managing of peace support missions.’

12. 9. Industry, Trade and Market Access (ITMA) Cluster Expert Group Meeting on Africa Quality Infrastructure Survey and on Youth Employment Regional Trade Programme for the East African Community and Capacity building on Economic Partnership Agreements negotiations.

13. ECA’s Role in Support of AU and NEPAD Regional coordination of and support for AU and NEPAD Enhancing the coordination of and cooperation among UN agencies in support of AU and NEPAD at the regional and subregional levels—RCM and clusters Improving cooperation and coordination between UN and African Organizations for effective implementation of NEPAD Fostering coordination of commission wide efforts Direct support to the implementation of AU and NEPAD programmes Independent or joint activities by ECA Divisions and SROs in support of the implementation of AU and NEPAD programmes Joint formulation of Africa—wide policy or programme frameworks Institutional Support to AU Commission, NEPAD Secretariat, RECs Also to Member states, other entities (such as private sector organizations) Advocacy for AU and NEPAD

14. ECA Divisions aligned its priorities with the AU agenda, including NEPAD biennial programmes reflect the nature and scope of the AU and its NEPAD programme provides support to AU Commission and NEPAD Secretariat on the basis of the UN-AU Cooperation Programme and the MOU technical advice in discussions on integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes established dedicated unit -NEPAD Support Section substantive servicing of the RCM functional support to the nine thematic UN Clusters of the RCM preparation of substantive publications weekly newsletter, NEPAD Briefs serves as important promotional material ECA participates actively in AU Summits and the NEPAD Steering Committee meetings The Commission provides technical advice and inputs, particularly in the discussions on the integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes.ECA participates actively in AU Summits and the NEPAD Steering Committee meetings The Commission provides technical advice and inputs, particularly in the discussions on the integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes.

15. ECA’s Sub Regional Offices Sub Regional Offices (SROs) developing multi-year programmes with RECs facilitate capacity building activities for RECs and the implementation of infrastructure projects working to bring UN agencies together in support of AU/NEPAD at sub-regional level provide assistance to NEPAD national and subregional coordination offices and to respective regional NEPAD taskforces assist member countries mainstream NEPAD priorities for the attainment of the MDGs

16. ECA’s Contributions to APRM Advisory Services rendered substantial advisory services to APRM participating member States for their review process through: (i) APR Country Support missions (Mali) (ii) Follow-up support missions (Mozambique and Benin) (iii) Country Review Missions (Benin, Uganda, Nigeria and Burkina Faso) Training Workshops Advocacy for the process advocates for international community understanding of APRM concept and peer review process Database of independent African Experts developed a Database of African experts and the Diaspora on governance to identify competent independent African experts in areas of governance for the Country Review Missions database contains 170 profiles During missions, ECA assessed the independence of the process, the suitability of the institutional arrangements and mechanisms put by the country to undertake the self assessment exercise, reviewed the countries’ self assessments, and, collaborated in the drafting of the Country Review reports and the National Programme of Action (NpoA). In June 2007, it organized one training workshop on “Participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in the APRM”. Developed a Training Manual for CSOs This workshop brought together francophone representatives of Civil Society Organizations. They learnt about best practices and pitfalls to avoid from APRM pioneer countries (Algeria, Benin, Mauritius, Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda). It allowed CSOs representatives to apply strategic tools and methods for participating effectively and efficiently in the APRM process and enabled them to create networks among themselves for their future engagement in national governance systems By: (i) providing guidance for the review of the APRM methodology and instruments, (ii) integrating the APRM-NPoA with existing national development strategies and providing a strategic financing framework for the NPoA by devising a costing methodology based on certain assumptions; and (iii) making presentations in many forums, such as the OECD-NEPAD roundtable on “Strengthening the Investment Assessment and Reform in NEPAD Countries” During missions, ECA assessed the independence of the process, the suitability of the institutional arrangements and mechanisms put by the country to undertake the self assessment exercise, reviewed the countries’ self assessments, and, collaborated in the drafting of the Country Review reports and the National Programme of Action (NpoA). In June 2007, it organized one training workshop on “Participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in the APRM”. Developed a Training Manual for CSOs This workshop brought together francophone representatives of Civil Society Organizations. They learnt about best practices and pitfalls to avoid from APRM pioneer countries (Algeria, Benin, Mauritius, Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda). It allowed CSOs representatives to apply strategic tools and methods for participating effectively and efficiently in the APRM process and enabled them to create networks among themselves for their future engagement in national governance systems By: (i) providing guidance for the review of the APRM methodology and instruments, (ii) integrating the APRM-NPoA with existing national development strategies and providing a strategic financing framework for the NPoA by devising a costing methodology based on certain assumptions; and (iii) making presentations in many forums, such as the OECD-NEPAD roundtable on “Strengthening the Investment Assessment and Reform in NEPAD Countries”

17. Coordination of UN Support—the 8th RCM opportunity to deepen partnerships, share information and lessons learned, concrete and actionable recommendations on: ways to strengthen efficiency and effectiveness of cluster system accelerated implementation of UN Ten-Year Capacity Building Programme for the AU institutionalization of subregional coordination of UN support to the AU and its NEPAD Programme furthering regional agenda on post-conflict reconstruction and inter-agency peace-building efforts

18. The Cluster system RCM specifically called for establishment of steering committee further alignment of activities of cluster system with AU and NEPAD priorities development of three-year business plans mainstreaming cross cutting issues such as gender, health and culture as well as a greater focus on regional integration

19. Coordinating Support to AU—the Ten- year Capacity Building Programme RCM recognized need to: address priority needs of AU Commission within cooperation framework enhance AU internal capacity to coordinate support being provide involve the AfDB developing the UN-AU Framework Agreement to accommodate existing cooperation and bilateral agreements between UN agencies and AU, and to form basis for UN assistance to AU capacity building called for stronger leadership by AU Commission and for participation of AfDB in implementation of the Programme.

20. Subregional Coordination Mechanism  RCM endorsed recommendations of ad hoc EGM that reviewed the assessment report of the cluster system stocktaking exercise be conducted to identify gaps and shortcomings regional integration be addressed in cluster system to enhance coordination at subregional level strengthening the capacity of the RECs

21. Post-conflict Reconstruction and development RCM recommended coordination of efforts at various levels to ensure coherence and effectiveness expediting implementation of AU PCRD Policy to positively impact in countries emerging from conflict enhancement of participation by all stakeholders providing financing of programmes The RCM acknowledged that Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD), the theme of the meeting, is a complex, multidimensional issue, involving many actors and interventions at the global, regional, subregional and national levels.The RCM acknowledged that Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD), the theme of the meeting, is a complex, multidimensional issue, involving many actors and interventions at the global, regional, subregional and national levels.

22. Achievements Commissioning external review of cluster system Strengthened coordination of UN support for AU and NEPAD Including repositioning of RCM Secretariat at ECA to strategic coordinator Discussions on issue of subregional coordination initiated with UN agencies Commenced developing a comprehensive communication and advocacy strategy for NEPAD

23. Impact ECA participates more in and provides secretariat support to clusters RCMs convened regularly, at least once a year in Addis Ababa Increased participation by AU Commission, NEPAD Secretariat and RECs in RCM Enhanced communication between ECA, NEPAD Secretariat, AU Commission, and some cluster conveners Increased support for AU and NEPAD at the national, regional and global level APRM process more credible, transparent and freer from political manipulation

24. Lessons learned Recommendations to be implemented to sustain existing momentum, intensify support, and for maximum impact Inter- and intra-cluster communication to be enhanced to ensure holistic and integrated approach to support provided Subregional coordination essential for linking regional-level agreements with national-level priorities and actions Capacity building of AU Commission, NEPAD Secretariat, RECs crucial

25. Way Forward Enhancement of institutional commitment and leadership on the part of all UN agencies and organizations participating in the RCM and on the part of continental and regional organizations Provision of additional resources to RCM Secretariat at ECA Enhancement of capacity building support to AU Commission, NEPAD Secretariat and the RECs Enhancement of capacity of APRM continental Secretariat (research, planning, organization and outreach) Concluding formal agreement between ECA and APRM Secretariat, through an MOU Enhancement of capacity building support to relevant APRM national stakeholders and national research capacities on governance areas Deepening post-review process in particular the monitoring of the implementation of the National Programme of Action Encouraging APRM participant countries to accelerate national launching of the process and to non-participating member to accede to the APRM