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Third
citizens' continental conference on the 11th African Union summit
Center
for Citizens' Participation in the African Union (CCP-AU)
June 23, 2008
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On the third
gathering of continent-wide civil society ahead of Ordinary African
Union Summits, the continent is faced with pressing development
and security related issues, as well as challenges to the roadmap
towards the Union Government and implementation of the recommendations
of the AU Audit. We, as civil society and peoples' representatives
from across the continent and Diaspora, welcome this opportunity
to collectively reflect on the state of the continent, the issues
facing it, and developments since the last Summit to arrive at a
common position from which to communicate concrete recommendations
to Heads of State and Government, Permanent Representatives, and
Foreign Ministers convening at the 11th Ordinary African Union Summit.
It is our sincere hope that such forums and spaces, which are indicative
of our contribution and commitment to a people-driven African Union,
enhance wider civil society contribution and input into deliberations
and decision making at the AU level.
On progress towards MDGs
Concerned that just past the midpoint to the target
date of 2015, Africa as a whole is not on track to meet the MDGs;
specifically in relation to MDG 7-Ensuring Environmental Sustainability-only
11 countries are likely to meet the water requirements in the rural
areas and 7 likely to meet the urban sanitation requirement;
Recognizing the national and regional disparities
in progress towards MDGs;
Noting the basic right to water and the strong
linkage between adequate access to water and sanitation and levels
of public health;
Mindful that the MDGs cannot be achieved without
the utilization of social protection schemes and programs for vulnerable
groups such as women, children, pastoralists, and the disabled;
Cognizant that failure to properly manage resources
and address climate change will lead to conflict and greater food
insecurity;
Acknowledging that empowerment of women is central
to the attainment of the MDGs;
Recommends:
- Greater
coherence and harmonization of development frameworks, namely
MDGs and NEPAD, and efforts towards them at the national and regional
level;
- Building
Member States' and the AU Commission's statistical
capacity to effectively monitor development results and design
appropriate policies and interventions;
- Meeting
African Union member states' budgetary commitments such
as the 15% budget commitment to health;
- That member
states formulate regional initiatives and actions to better manage
trans-boundary resources such as water;
- Member states
plan for, and protect against, future shocks such as due to climate
change, with a focus on implications for MDG-related expenditures;
- Member states
and the African Union ensure adequate financing for MDGs by pushing
for a 'polluter pays' principle;
- African
Union takes measures to strengthen international mechanisms for
the return of stolen wealth and the removal of harmful tax and
secrecy practices of tax havens; AU further sets up a continent-wide
framework for the regulation of FDI flows and special investment
mechanisms and that the funds redeemed are invested into development
programs and meeting the MDGs;
- Member States
as a matter of priority ratify and implement the Protocol on African
Women, and initiate and implement policies that enhance women's
access to water and active participation in decision making processes
on water and sanitation.
On the
food crisis
Noting the new threats to food security, in particular
rapidly rising food prices and the impact of climate change on the
livelihoods of the poor and other vulnerable groups;
Mindful of the underlying long-term under-investment
in agriculture by Member States;
Recognizing the setbacks to development gains the
food crisis will bring about and more immediately the challenge
to the stability and security of countries;
Keenly aware that women constitute the overwhelming
majority of food producers, yet control less than 5 percent of land
and represent 60 percent of those suffering from hunger;
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