President Kagame yesterday delivered remarks at the 38th AUDA-NEPAD HSGOC virtual Summit and he said that resources mobilisation will remain a key factor for achieving goals. Read his remarks below:
A very happy Africa Day to everyone. This is the first time that the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee is convening virtually. This is symbolic of the difficult circumstances that the Covid-19 pandemic has imposed on our continent and the world at large. I nevertheless take special pleasure in welcoming you to this session.
The Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee is a unique forum for addressing Africa’s key development challenges and solutions. This 38thSession of the Orientation Committee will reflect on pressing development questions which became more acute with the Covid pandemic. I commend Dr Mayaki and the dedicated staff of the Agency for continuing this important work, under such trying circumstances.
In line with the institutional reform of the African Union, the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency was transformed into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in 2018, with a robust new mandate, governance structure, and rules of procedure. We must make sure that this enhanced agency strengthens delivery on our continent’s key priority areas. Resources mobilisation will remain a key factor for achieving our goals. The strength of our health systems and institutions has been tested over the past year.
At the last African Union Summit in February 2021, I recommended that AUDA-NEPAD be assigned the responsibility for providing technical support to Member States and regions to increase domestic health financing, working together with our partners. This is a critical role for the Agency, in line with the African Leadership Meeting Declaration of February 2019. Similarly, we should seize the opportunity to establish the African Medicines Agency (AMA) this year, by signing and ratifying this important treaty.
A strong regulatory body is absolutely central to Africa’s ambitions to produce safe and effective pharmaceuticals and vaccines for our people. Our continent remains exposed to many socio-economic challenges brought about by the Covid pandemic. Successfully navigating these times will require innovative solutions, and above all increased regional cooperation. As AUDA-NEPAD, we must be ready to do our part, and make a difference. I thank you. (End)