Special Representative of UN Women to the African Union and UNECA deliver credentials to the African Union Chairperson

The Special Representative of UN Women Ms. Awa Ndiaye Seck handed over her credentials as Special Representative to the African Union Commission (AUC) and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in a meeting at the headquarters of the AUC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In an exchange following the presentation of the appointment letter, the AUC Chairperson and the newly appointed Special Representative of UN Women Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA, discussed key areas of cooperation including the AU-UN partnership for the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment priorities in AU policies, processes and initiatives.

“UN Women is looking forward to deepening our strong partnership with the African Union, for the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment priorities in the African continent”, stated Ms. Seck.

Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat congratulated Ms. Seck for her appointment emphasizing that gender equality is core to the AUC agenda and  the Commission is committed to cooperate with UN Women to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in Africa.

Ms. Seck discussed the importance of strengthening the AU-UN partnership to advance the aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063 including but not limited to:

1. A systematic engagement in mobilizing Africa’s inputs to global processes with implications for gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE).
2. Support joint reporting on the 2030 agenda and agenda 2063 for tracking and monitoring of gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments.
3. Enhanced partnership through the Women, Gender, Development and Youth Directorate (WGDY) and other relevant departments of the Commission to support the institutionalizing of gender mainstreaming actions under strong AU leadership.

Ms. Seck further pointed out that maintaining a consistent engagement with AUC is critical in achieving women’s economic empowerment, sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa, as AUC drives the continental development and integration agenda on the continent.

Both parties expressed their long-standing commitment towards women’s empowerment agenda, placing gender equality and the empowerment of women at the core of their work across the African continent.