Eighth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union : Address by Abdoulie Janneh executive secretary of the economic commission for Africa

Abstract

Address by Abdoulie Janneh Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa at the Eighth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union. Mr. Janneh, on his remarks highlighted that, given the immense challenges faced by the continent and the bold regional response to meeting them expressed through the AU Strategic Plan and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), it is of the utmost importance for AU, ECA, and ADB to now significantly upscale their trilateral partnership. It is important for the international community to live up to its commitments in aid delivery and ensure the predictability of resources for African countries. There is a strong interest in operationalizing this concept of mutual accountability, especially in the aftermath of the G8 Gleneagles Summit. It is my hope that some recommendations would emerge on how we carry this agenda forward. Without a doubt, the seamless relationship between AU-ADB-ECA is critical in this area as well. There are huge challenges at all levels of education and training in Africa in terms of access, quality, relevance and equity. Although enrolment at all levels of education in sub-Saharan Africa has improved since independence, it is still very low.