Policy Institutes Committee

FIFTH CONSULTATIVE FORUM OF THE POLICY INSTITUTES COMMITTEE

Kigali (Rwanda)21-23 October 2015

Keynote Opening Remarks

Thomas Chataghalala Munthali, PhDDirector, Knowledge Monitoring and Evaluation

The African Capacity Building Foundation: 2 Fairbairn Drive, Mount Pleasant, Harare, ZimbabweTel: +2634304649. Email: root@acbf-pact.org. Website: www.acbf-pact.org

The Minister of State for Economic planning Dr.Uzziel Ndagijimana.

The Executive Director of IPAR-Rwanda, Ms. Eugenia KayiteshiChair and vice-chairs of the Policy Institutes Committee,Distinguished Members of the Policy Institutes Committee,Colleagues from University of Cape TownColleagues from ACBFMembers of the mediaDistinguished guests from various partner institutions in Rwanda,Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is such a pleasure to see you all at this Fifth Consultative Forum of the ACBF Policy Institutes Committee (PIC) in this beautiful city of Kigali, which is a modern metropolis at the heart of the emerging Rwandan economy. I must add that the transformation being observed in Kigali and Rwanda generally should be the pride not just of every Rwandese but all Africans generally.

Let me begin by thanking you all for accepting to attend this fifth meeting. You are ACBF’s strategic partners and the Foundation does appreciate your time, your participation and your very strong commitment.

My special thanks go to the Authorities of Rwanda. But let me also single out the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research-Rwanda (IPAR-Rwanda), for accepting to co-host this very important Forum. We therefore express our gratitude to IPAR-Rwanda (to Ms Eugenia Kayitesi, and her entire team) for their efficiency, professionalism, hard work and commitment.

The aim during these three (03) days, other than updating each other on progress around PIC activities and subsequent plans, is mainly: (1) to dialogue and exchange on pertinent policy development questions, among them the Tobacco Control issues. From the PIC perceptive, it is important to reflect on the research gaps in tobacco control on the continent paying

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particular attention to the capacity imperatives in addressing the issues; (2) to share knowledge and experiences on how you, as think tanks, have been able to manage knowledge for better policy impact; (3) to discuss the findings of the Country Reviews and CPIA studies that you have been undertaking; and (4) more importantly, to get your advice on which strategic direction ACBF should be taking in the next coming 5 years and the role that think tanks (PIC) can play.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:This Fifth PIC Forum is happening at a very strategic moment for the world, for Africa as well as for the Foundation. The year 2015 is a time of global strategic transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); it is also the year when Africa embarks in the implementation of Agenda 2063. Likewise, 2015 is the year when ACBF starts consulting its stakeholders and partners on the strategic direction to take in the coming years, mainly with respect to its Fourth Strategic Medium term Plan (SMTP IV).

These changes directly call ACBF into action but also the think tanks which play a unique and very determinant function in providing public policy research, analysis and advice. Indeed, as widely discussed during the Second Africa Think Tank Summit where most of you participated in, think tanks have a role to play in moving Agenda 2063. The PIC has a role to play by helping to ensure that African countries get to localize Agenda 2016 and implement the plans. More importantly, think tanks should help continental and regional institutions as well as individual countries in assessing the capacity requirements for effective implementation of their plans customized to Agenda 2063.

As you may know, ACBF has been mandated by the African Union Commission and responded rapidly to the needs of African countries by stepping-up its technical support for a successful implementation of the Agenda 2063. I would like to mention the studies on the “Internal and external risks associated with the implementation of AU Agenda 2063” and the “Agenda 2063 Capacity Needs Assessment and Preparation of Capacity Development Plan” conducted by the Foundation. Both studies which will be soon published are critical in shaping

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future directions towards successful implementation of the continental agenda.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:In its journey to strengthen capacities and support the successful implementation of the continental agenda 2063, the Foundation will strongly rely on think tanks by building on their comparative advantages.

For ACBF, think tanks are strategic partners in informing decision and policy makers on the capacity issues that require to be addressed for inclusive and sustainable development. Besides, think tanks will also serve as a very important and efficient channel for reaching policy makers with the recommendations of the Country-reviews and CPIA studies that we will be conducting every year via this network. Going forward, members of the Policy Institutes Committee, in their respective countries, will be called to help to disseminate the findings and recommendations of our Africa Capacity Report and various knowledge products for implementation of recommendations.

The PIC Network is an important institution for driving evidence-based policy dialogue in Africa. The Continent’s leaders need you. Let us work together to make this network highly powerful, efficient, relevant and impactful.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

ACBF will keep you updated on the in-house, continental and international events and initiatives that would require your attention and your active participation. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that as mandated by the Africa Think Tank Summits, ACBF is in the process of launching the Pan African Think Tank Network whose Secretariat is housed within the Foundation. You are all members of the Network and its success will heavily depend on your support and commitment. I strongly urge you to join ACBF and support the launch and effective implementation of the activities of the Pan African Think Tank Network.

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Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm the great importance that the Foundation places on the PIC Network and on the presence of every one of you that has gathered here. I am further hopeful that this meeting will achieve the desired outcomes central to which is a fruitful exchange of experience and knowledge for your own development and that of Africa, a renewed commitment to capacity development on the continent, and the enhancement of the network’s contribution to ACBF activities,.

I deeply appreciate your participation, cooperation and contribution for the success of this Fifth meeting of the PIC, in advance, and feel certain that the results will lead us to the next step in our endeavors – that of building capacities in Africa for inclusive and sustainable development.

Last but not least, please take note of three key important events that are coming: (1) the launch of the 2015 Africa capacity Report (ACR) next month on 30th November in Harare, Zimbabwe; (2), the Third Africa Think Tank Network Summit to take place from 6th to 8th April 2016 at Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe); and (3) the Third Pan African Capacity Development Forum which will be combined with the 25th

Anniversary of ACBF tentatively planned for February 2015 at a venue to be communicated.

In relation to the 25th Anniversary celebration, ACBF wishes to document how your organizations have made impact in your areas of focus and the role that ACBF has played in advancing your work. Members of our team and the Africa Evaluation Association (AFREA) will be reaching out to you. So I request your kind support as some of these interviews could be happening after meeting hours.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Thomas Chataghalala Munthali, PhDDirector, Knowledge Monitoring and Evaluation, ACBF21 October 2014

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