AUC Chairperson in the US for meetings and engagements ahead of 68^th UN General Assembly meeting

Washington DC, USA – 17 September, 2013: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is in the United States from September 17 to 26, 2013, for a series of engagements ahead of the 68^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. Ambassador Amina Ali, Permanent Representative of the African Union Mission to the United States in Washington DC, welcomed the Chairperson and her delegation, highlighting the timeliness of the Chairperson’s visit.

“The Chairperson comes to Washington DC at the right moment to consolidate the new momentum imparted to the AU-US strategic partnership following her meeting on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South African with President Barack Obama,” Ambassador Amina pointed.

During the June meeting, President Obama pledged increased collaboration with the African Union, noting his readiness “to work with the African Union for the best engagement of the United States with Africa.” The AUC Chairperson will build on this pledge as she closely engages key US partners, particularly the US Congress.

In one of her strategic appointments as Guest of Honour, Dr Dlamini Zuma will speak to the theme: “Conservation in Africa: Security, Democracy and Development,” to an audience of over 500 guests including members of the US Congress, US Cabinet, Heads of State, Foreign Ambassadors World Business leaders, American celebrities and leaders from the international NGO community at the annual US Congressional International Conservation Gala in Washington.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma will also deliver keynote addresses at the “2013 Africa Braintrust” at the Washington Convention Centre, “African Union: 50 years of Unity and a Future of Progress,” and another in New York on the theme, “Africa opportunities and realities of the rising continent,” hosted by Rt. Hon. Lord Paul Boateng of the Planet Earth Institute and Member of the BritishHouse of Lords. Through these addresses, she will bring home to the Diaspora her Agenda 2063.

The AUC Chairperson will also hold discussions with the US Chamber of Commerce, members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, in charge of African Affairs.

Akin to last week’s staff celebrations of the OAU-AU 50^th anniversary at the Commission in Addis Ababa, the Chairperson will engage with staff of the Washington office in a bid to better understand operations of the mission in the US.

Still in Washington DC Dr. Dlamini Zuma will attend a ceremony to unveil the Statue of Nelson Mandela, whose work and legacy is enormous to all Africans and those that love peace and freedom in the World. She will also accept a Leadership award at the “2013 Africa Leaders Awards Dinner.”

During her participation at the UN General Assembly meeting the following week in New York, Dr. Dlamini Zuma will participate in High Level Meetings, including: of the AU Peace and Security Council chaired by H.E. Allassane Dramane Ouattara of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire; on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, Chaired by the President of Liberia, and Roll Back Malaria partnership, and Co-Chair with the UN Secretary General a meeting of the Great Lakes 11+4 Mechanism. She will hold side meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, the newly appointed UN Women Executive Director, as well as the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).