IFAD PLEDGES MORE SUPPORT TO AUDA-NEPAD

By Grace Musimami

H.E. Gilbert Houngbo the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has pledged and committed more support towards AUDA-NEPAD activities in transforming Africa, Houngbo who was a special guest at the 37^th Session of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) meeting, said IFAD was pleased with the track record set by AUDA-NEPAD over the years and was committed to fund some of its activities.

“IFAD has been and will continue to work for rural transformation in Africa by focusing on farm and non-farm activities. we want to see the Agenda 2063 , the Africa we want to be a reality and we join this commitment for the future” said H.E Gilbert Houngbo in a statement of support.

The committee which provides leadership to NEPAD, sets policies, priorities and its programmes of action convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the side-lines of the 33^rd African Union Summit, Chaired by H.E. President Macky Sall of Senegal.

In his opening statement, H.E. President Macky Sall expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him during his tenure as Chairperson of the NEPAD HSGOC, in promoting development on the African continent.  He pledged to continue combatting the perception of risk in investing in Africa, illicit financial flows and weak contract negotiation which lead to social inequalities.  The President of Senegal then congratulated Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD and his team for working tirelessly to achieve prosperity and social wellbeing on the continent.

During the session, the President of Rwanda H.E. Paul Kagame was unanimously elected as the new Chairperson of the NEPAD HSGOC.

The outgoing Chairperson, President Macky Sall expressed his confidence in the incoming Chairperson, President Kagame. In congratulating him, he stated that President Kagame has the full competencies to continue supporting NEPAD towards Africa’s transformation.

In response, President Kagame committed to delivering on the expectations required as Chair and thanked President Sall for his exceptional performance during his tenure as Chairperson of the HSGOC.

“The transformation of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency into AUDA-NEPAD is an affirmation that NEPAD is the right vehicle to drive transformation on the Continent,” President Kagame said.

“I am counting on President Macky Sall’s and Dr Mayaki’s support and will continue to seek their counsel beyond their service period,” he added, announcing that AUDA-NEPAD and the African Union Commission will be much stronger delivering as one.

The new HSGOC Chairperson also affirmed and appreciated Dr Mayaki and AUDA-NEPAD have been doing an outstanding job in supporting and driving development projects in Africa and concluded that he looks forward to his new role.