El Alamein:President Joo Louren§o highlighted the significant progress of NEPAD over the past 25 years and its evolution into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) during the Summit of NEPAD Founding Members in El Alamein, Egypt. As Chairperson of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee, he underscored the advancements since the organization's inception in 2001.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Joo Louren§o noted that NEPAD has transformed from a development framework led by a few African leaders into an agency with an expanded mandate. This development aims to support Member States and Regional Economic Communities in achieving Agenda 2063's aspirations.
He expressed satisfaction with AUDA-NEPAD's expanded interventions over the last four years, which align with the continent's priorities. The President mentioned the expansion of the program portfolio, enhanced support for Member States, progress in project preparation, investment mobilization, and strengthened strategic partnerships.
Joo Louren§o highlighted key areas of progress, including infrastructure, food systems, health, human capital, industrialization, and regional integration. He credited much of these achievements to AUDA-NEPAD Executive Director Nardos Bekele-Thomas.
The President called for the Summit to be a turning point for AUDA-NEPAD, advocating for concrete recommendations to enhance the agency's agility and capacity. He emphasized the need to equip the institution with the necessary tools and capacity to meet its objectives in the next 25 years.
Reflecting on NEPAD's origins, Joo Louren§o reiterated Africa's responsibility in shaping its development agenda, setting priorities, and determining transformation pathways. He also mentioned Angola's role since February, taking over the AUDA-NEPAD chairmanship from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and its commitment to providing political leadership and strategic direction.
AUDA-NEPAD, with its headquarters in South Africa, has a mandate from the African Union to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of priority regional and continental development programs and projects, promoting partnerships, resource mobilization, research, and knowledge management.
