Ensuring the successful implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy 8 July 2010

1. 11th Regional Seminar of the ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,8 July 2010 Ensuring the successful implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy 8 July 2010 Dr. Maxwell M. Mkwezalamba Commissioner for Economic Affairs African Union Commission

2. Presentation Outline The Joint Strategy The First Action Plan Implementation architecture Progress to date Challenges Way ahead: Improving implementation Way ahead: Key recommendations

3. 1. The Joint Strategy Background Strategy jointly developed by Africa and EU Takes account of new and emerging challenges: Facing Africa Facing the EU Facing the whole world Long term approach New approach (characterised by equality) Complements existing bilateral relations Adopted in December 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal

4. Context Common values: Respect for human rights, freedom, equality, justice, democracy, etc. Emerging challenges Principles Unity of Africa; one and undivided Africa Interdependence between Africa and EU Ownership and joint responsibility Equality

5. 1. The Joint Strategy Objectives To reinforce and elevate the Africa-EU political partnership to address issues of common concern e.g. peace and security, migration, Address challenges facing Africa e.g. sustainable economic development, regional integration, MDGs Jointly promote a system of effective multilateralism and address global challenges and common concerns e.g. climate change, terrorism, HIV/AIDS Facilitate and promote broad-based and wide-ranging people-centred partnership by empowering non-state actors and creating the enabling environment for their effectiveness

6. 1. The Joint Strategy The four clusters Peace and security Governance and human rights Trade and regional integration Key development issues

7. 2. The First Action Plan Adopted in Lisbon in December 2007 Eight Partnerships 1. Partnership on Peace and Security 2. Partnership on Democratic Governance and Human Rights 3. Partnership on Trade, Regional Integration & Infrastructure 4. Partnership on the Millennium Developments Goals 5. Partnership on Energy 6. Partnership on Climate Change 7. Partnership on Migration, Mobility and Employment 8. Partnership on Science, Information Society and Space

8. 3. Implementation architecture- Stakeholders The two Commissions Member States PAP and European Parliament Civil society, ECOSOCC, European Economic and Social Council (EESC), research institutes and think-tanks Regional Economic Communities (RECs) The private Sector Other international actors

9. 4. Progress to date-Structure and process Implementation architecture endorsed Implementation teams formed on both sides Joint Expert Group (JEG) guidelines adopted 8 JEGs formed Member States actively participating A number of RECs have joined the implementation process 12th Ministerial Troika paved the way for civil society participation in JEG activities Enlargement of the AUC-EU Joint Task Force to include RECs, parliaments, JEG co-chairs, civil society Joint website launched: www.africa-eu-partnership.org

10. 4. Progress to date -Concrete deliverables? The level of success recorded has become a subjective matter African perspective: Development focus EU perspective: Political focus Assessment Report of October 2009 has highlighted some achievements: Enhanced political dialogue at continental level (AU PSC-EU PSC meetings); 1billion Euro funding in support of African peace and security etc. 1 million Euro AU Electoral Assistance Fund; AU observers participation in EU Parliamentary elections; 2.7 billion Euro Governance Initiative Tranche 1 billion Euro EC food facility, with 560m Euro earmarked for Africa, etc.

11. 4. Progress to date -Concrete deliverables? There is near consensus that implementation performance since Lisbon has not been impressive The First Action Plan (2008-2010) remains largely unimplemented As we approach another Summit, scheduled for 29-30 November 2010, we need to look back to see areas of weakness and discuss ways of improving performance

12. 5. Challenges Respecting the principle of Treating Africa as one agreed in the Joint Strategy Adequate financial resources for: Implementation of the projects/activities The architecture (Cost of participation in JEG meetings and related activities) Full involvement of all stakeholders, including RECs Private sector The Parliaments Civil society Capacity of the JEGs to deliver Lack of ownership/commitment Lack of effective communication

13. 6. Way ahead How do we ensure successful implementation? A. Respecting the principle of Treating Africa as one agreed in the Joint Strategy Africa must be treated as one and undivided entity within the framework of continental cooperation The present situation where the continent is divided into three parts (North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa) is not in conformity with the Joint Strategy To show commitment to continental cooperation therefore, the EU needs to take adequate steps to amend existing instruments to support the requirements of the Joint Strategy

14. 6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful implementation? B. Resources/Financing Addressing the question of financing is fundamental to the success of the Joint strategy. Without financing, not much can be achieved. This is a shared responsibility, so the two sides must continue to work together to find a lasting solution Private sector and other sources A Pan-African envelope or Africa’s Integration Fund should be established More information on existing instruments, including ways of accessing them should also be provided

15. 6. Way ahead How do we ensure successful implementation? C. The next Action Plan Should not be very different in substance from the current one Should indicate clear timelines, benchmarks, deliverables, actors, cost estimates, financial resources available, etc. Activities should be streamlined and have clear added value, not duplicating existing initiatives Should focus on activities that have clear regional, continental and global dimensions Should be based on African strategic priorities Principles of comparative advantage, subsidiarity and complementarity must be respected Should have a proven buy-in of key actors such as RECs

16. 6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful implementation? D. Joint Expert Groups (JEGs) Address the problem of linkage with national and regional levels (current disconnect) Need to identify existing relevant structures and processes [MDGs; Climate change; Trade; Regional Integration and Infrastructure] Address the issue of lack of political guidance (due to informal nature) Improve quality of participation in JEG meetings, and ensure broader participation Member States should pay for experts’ participation in JEG meetings Clearer definition of the role of co-chairs Possible secretarial support and technical assistance

17. 6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful implementation? E. Balance between political and development dimension Africa emphasises development; EU emphasises political aspects: Need to strike a balance between the two Should be clear that political dialogue is a means to an end, not an end in itself

18. 6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful implementation? F. Stakeholder involvement All stakeholders will continue to be engaged with a view to bringing them on board: RECs: The AUC-RECs coordination meetings will have the Joint Strategy as a constant agenda item The private sector: The EU-Africa Business Forum could be a good platform for engagement Civil society, Pan-African and European Parliaments will also be engaged through appropriate fora

19. 6. Way aheadHow do we ensure successful implementation? G. Ownership To date, one of the key problems of implementation is the lack of ownership All aforementioned stakeholders must own the process Member States in particular, need to demonstrate ownership by committing resources and participating fully at all stages of the implementation process

20. 7. Way ahead Key recommendations Take political decision to initiate and speed up the process of aligning existing financing instruments to the requirements of the Joint Strategy Take a political decision to establish a Pan-African Fund or an African Integration Facility Strike a balance between development and political dimensions Ensure full participation of all stakeholders Member States should demonstrate greater commitment by providing appropriate expertise

21. 7. Way ahead Key recommendations Make political commitment to implement a joint project that is promising and visible in each of the five regions of Africa, e.g. constructing the Inga Dam in Central Africa Put in place a strategy for the adoption of common positions on key issues such as Reform of the UN, climate change, environmental protection, global economic and financial crisis, attainment of the MDGs, etc

22. Thank you for your kind attention.