AFRICAN UNION

UNION AFRICAINE

UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P. O. Box 3243 Telephone: 5517 700 Fax: 5517844

Website: www. Africa-union.org EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Seventeenth Ordinary Session 19 – 23 July 2010 Kampala, Uganda

EX.CL/588(XVII) Original: English

REPORT ON THE THIRD ORDINARY SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF THE AFRICAN UNION IN CHARGE OF YOUTH

(COMY III)

EX.CL/588(XVII) Page 1

REPORT ON THE THIRD ORDINARY SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF THE AFRICAN UNION IN CHARGE OF YOUTH

(COMY III)

The Third Ordinary Session of the Conference of Ministers of the African Union in charge of Youth (COMY III) convened in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from the 12 to 16 April 2010 to discuss the progress made in the implementation of the Youth Programme for the last two years, since COMY II in February 2008, began with a meeting of Senior Officials from 12 to 14 April, followed by the meeting of ministers of Youth from 15 to 16 April. A You Forum preceded the COMY III and reported on progress and challenges. An important number of partners also attended the COMY III.

The following Bureau was elected:

Rwanda East Africa Chairperson Cameroon Central Africa 1st Vice-Chairperson Burkina Faso Western Africa 2nd Vice-President

Botswana Southern Africa 3rd Vice-Chairperson Algeria North Africa Rapporteur

COMY II considered, approved and made recommendations on the following issues,

among others:

(i) The plan of action for the Decade for Youth Development and empowerment covering the areas of intervention as: 1. Laws, Policies, and Programmes 2. Socio-Economic Empowerment 3. Rights, inclusion, and participation 4. Youth Development, Health and well-being 5. Resource for Youth Development 6. Research, Monitoring & Evaluation

(ii) The programme framework and implementation documents to operationalise

the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps.

(iii) The Declaration of the Ministers to provide the necessary support and commitment to the implementation of the relevant policy documents facilitating the African Youth Development (the African Youth Charter, the 10-year plan of action for youth development, the AU Youth Volunteer programme, the Celebration of the International Year of Youth, the participation to the Mexico 2010 World Youth Conference, etc).

The Report of the Conference, including the Declaration, is attached.

EX.CL/588(XVII) Annex 1

REPORT MINISTERIAL MEETING 15-16 APRIL 2010

3rd ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS IN CHARGE OF YOUTH (COMY III) 12-16 APRIL 2010 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

AU/MIN/COMY/Rpt(III)

REPORT

MINISTERIAL MEETING

AFRICAN UNION

UNION AFRICAINE

UNIÃO AFRICANA

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Telephone: 00 251 11 5517 700 Fax: 00 251 11 5517844 website : www. africa-union.org

AU/MIN/COMY/Rpt(III) Page 1

REPORT MINISTERIAL MEETING I. INTRODUCTION

1. The third session of the African Ministerial Conference on Youth (COMY III) took place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 15 to 16 April 2010 . The Ministerial session was preceded by a Senior Officials/Experts session from April 12 to 14. The COMY III considered various issues contained in the Experts’ report including the progress report on the implementation of the African Union Commission Youth programme, the election of the Bureau of COMY III, the adoption of the Plan of action for the Decade for Youth development 2009-2018, the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps, the African Youth Charter, the Pan African Youth Union, the International Year of Youth and the Mexico World Conference for Youth 2010 and its Africa region pre-Conference. II. ATTENDANCE

2. The following 38 Member States,( including 19 Ministers, 4 Vice-Ministers, 15 Directors of Youth), were represented: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Republic Democratic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 3. Also participating were the Pan-African Youth Union (PYU) Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General for Southern Africa. 4. The representatives of the following organizations also attended the meeting: the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Official Site of the Conference of the Youth and Sports Ministers of Francophone Countries (CONFEJES), Mexico (Mexican Youth Institute - IMJUVE) and the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF). III. AGENDA ITEMS

Item 1: OPENING CEREMONY

5. A school choir of Zimbabwe performed the African Union Anthem followed by Zimbabwean national Anthem. 6. The Mayor of Victoria Falls, His Worship Elderman Jiyani, warmly welcomed the participants. He highlighted the cultural, touristic and economic values of the city of

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Victoria Falls. After a brief presentation of specific information related to the local sites and important activities, the Mayor wished all the delegates a pleasant stay and fruitful deliberations. 7. The Governor of Matebeleland North Province Hon. Angeline Mathuthu, under which the city of Victoria Falls is administered, also welcomed the participants and thanked the Zimbabwean Government and the organizers for choosing this touristic site as venue for the COMY III. She underlined the efforts being made to support the youth development agenda by creating an enabling environment for youth development, providing employment and other relevant opportunities for the youth to express their talent and capacities. 8. The Zimbabwe Child President Hon. Engugulethu Knomo, delivered his speech with warm greetings and thanks to the COMY III participants. He stressed the importance of taking into account the needs and aspirations of the young generations in decision making at various levels and also the role the youth have to play in the development processes to ensure a better future for Africa. 9. The young speaker and advocate for the African youth, Ms. Portia Kimberly Sithole also welcomed the delegates and drew their attention to the need for meaningful participation and involvement of the African youth at all levels of development efforts in Africa and the Diaspora. She demonstrated that the youth is the true engine for African progress and called all delegates to consider the youth development as a priority area in their development strategies; the need to take the youth on board is the best solution to address African challenges. . 10. A Zimbabwean cultural show was enjoyed by the participants after the welcome statements.

Item 2: KEYNOTE ADDRESSES

11. The Chairperson of the COMY II Bureau, H.E. Bother Abdulhadi Lahweej, welcomed the participants and thanked the Member States and all partners for the support given to the COMY II Bureau. He summarized the achievements associated with the COMY II, notably the adoption and ratification of the Youth Charter and expressed the willingness of the COMY II Bureau to support the new Bureau and wished them more achievements during their tenure of office. 12. The Minister of Youth development, indigenisation and empowerment of Zimbabwe, Hon. Saviour Kasukuwere, warmly welcomed and thanked the distinguish delegates and guests of the COMY III for attending the meeting for the Youth development and empowerment. He stressed that Zimbabwe is fully committed in the efforts to address youth issues and to implement the plan of action of the Decade for Youth development. He also recalled the necessity for all Member states to ratify and implement the African Youth Charter. He stressed that Zimbabwe had ratified with pride and is fully engaged in the implementation process. He concluded by urging the member

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States who have not yet ratified the charter to accelerate the ratification, which is a key legal framework for youth development in Africa. 13. H.E. Jean-Pierre Ezin, Commissioner of Human Resources Science and Technology who represented the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, also welcomed all the participants. He affirmed that the presence of Experts, Ministers, Partners and Youth representatives at the conference showed the importance attached to the youth and their gathering constituted an opportunity to strengthen the projects and activities devoted to youth development. He also expressed his appreciation for the work done by the Experts and hoped for strong recommendations from their debate. 14. H.E. Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, also welcomed the participants and addressed a special message to the youth, as the legitimate heirs of the adults and the soverenity of each Member State. He stressed the need to uphold the virtues of patriotism and pride inherited from the founding fathers of Pan Africanism that should be dearly guarded maintained, cared for and transmitted to the young generations at all times. H. E President Mugabe encouraged the youth to follow the footsteps drawn by their elders and to continue fighting as their fathers did until Africa becomes completely independent and powerful and avoid neo-coloniolism. The President strongly addressed the need to promote gender equality and parity at all levels especially in girls’ education. 15. Hon. Pohamba Penomwenyo Shifeta from Namibia, Rapporteur of COMY II, the outgoing Bureau expressed his gratitude to the members of the Bureau for their commitment and achievements during the last two years. He sited a few achievements such as the ratification of the African Youth Charter by 19 Member States and its entry into force in August 2009, the revitalization of the PYU, the revitalization of TVET in Africa. He also thanked the Member States for their efforts at national level, to advance the youth development agenda. He pledged the support of the outgoing Bureau to the Bureau of COMY III in order to strengthen efforts to address the increasing challenges.

Item 3: Governance: Election of the COMY III Bureau Members

16. Before considering the election results submitted by the Experts, the Legal Officer explained the rules of procedure for the Ministerial Bureau elections and that the Ministers were expected to endorse the experts’ election results. After the explanation, the Ministers endorsed the results. The COMY III elected the following Member States to the Bureau and Steering Committee:

East Africa

Rwanda Chairperson Central Africa

Cameroon 1st Vice-Chairperson Western Africa

Burkina Faso 2nd Vice-President

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Southern Africa Botswana 3rd Vice-Chairperson

North Africa Algeria Rapporteur

17. Following the endorsement of the election results by the Conference of Ministers, the Chairperson of the outgoing Bureau congratulated the new Bureau, wished them the best and handed over.

Item 4: Adoption of the Agenda and programme of work

18. The agenda and programme of work were adopted without amendment. .

Item 5: Consideration of the Report of the Experts meeting 19. The report was presented by the Rapporteur of the Bureau of COMY III, H.E. Minister of Youth of Algeria. Various activity reports (COMY II, PYU, AUC) reflected the progress made in the last two years, the issues raised and the debates during the Experts’ meeting. The Plan of Action for the Decade for youth development, covering the period of 2009 to 2018 was amended and adopted as amended. The African Union Youth Volunteer framework presented was noted. Also noted was the presentation of the UNESCO strategy (2009-2013) on African Youth and areas of collaboration; this included all the interventions of all the United Nations agencies to support African initiatives towards Youth development.

20. The report of the Experts’ meeting also informed the Ministers of the suggestion to have the 2011 Summit devoted to the Africa Youth and the proposed theme is “Accelerating youth empowerment for sustainable development”

21. Clarifications on a number of issues raised the following recommendations on the Pan African Youth Union. The Conference:

a) requests the African Union Commission to implement the Decision of Heads

of State and Government made during the Summit in Banjul in June 2006 in line with the African Youth Charter;

b) urges Member States to support the PYU and build its capacity.

22. The Experts’ meeting report was adopted with amendments.

Item 6: Presentation of the International Year of Youth

23. The Tunisian Delegate presented the concept, process and activities related to the cerebrations of the International Year of Youth. He highlighted the offer of the Republic of Tunisia to host the international Youth forum in 2011 and the necessity for

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the Member States to support the event and also to implement relevant actions at national level in their respective countries. He also proposed a draft Resolution to the Ministers for adoption. The Resolution was adopted after discussion and clarifications.

Item 7: Presentation of the Mexico World Youth Conference

24. The Mexican delegate presented the programme of the World Youth Conference to be held from 23 to 27 August 2010 including information about eligibility and modalities for participation. The Africa region is expected to present in Mexico, the African common position on youth development priorities to be agreed upon during a pre-conference.

25. Nigeria will host the pre-conference on 04 June 2010 in Abuja;

26. The African Union Commission will continue to play its leadership role in coordinating preparations to develop an African Common Position, with support from Regional Focal Points. 27. Each African region will have a focal point, as follows:

Republic of South Africa for Southern Africa; Federal Republic of Nigeria for Western Africa; Republic of Tunisia for Northern Africa; Republic of Kenya for Eastern Africa (the Dean of the region); Democratic Republic of Congo for Central Africa (the Dean of the

region).

28. The Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya made a proposal to establish a Pan African Institute for Youth development, under the African Union Commission. The concept document will be sent to Member States, in due course through the AUC for consideration, and will be on the agenda of the COMY IV.

Item 8: Consideration and adoption of the Declaration of COMY III

29. The Rapporteur presented the drat declaration of the COMY III The Declaration was adopted after a few amendments.

Item 9: Date and Venue of the COMY IV

30. The COMY III welcomed and endorsed the offer by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda to host the fourth meeting of the COMY planned to take place in 2012. It further requested the Commission to carry out consultations with the host country and inform the COMY III on time.

Item 10: Any Other Business

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31. Mauritania expressed the need to update participants of COMY meetings on previous pending issues, such as the Trust Fund for Youth Development. The AUC explained that the draft report on the feasibility study of the Trust Fund had been circulated to all Member States but there had been no feedback, except from Senegal;

32. The Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya recalled the recommendations made during the Bureau meeting held in October 2009, namely:

a. Proposal to ensure youth participation at the COMY meetings as delegates

and during Heads of State and Government Summits; b. Pre-conference of youth movements preceding all big meetings to ensure

that the voice of the youth is heard; c. The Libyan delegate presented his country’s offer to host the pre-summit of

youth in preparation for the Afro-Arab Summit to be held in Libya in 2010.

33. He emphasized that the above recommendations should be implemented.

Item 11: APPRECIATION

34. The COMY III expressed its appreciation to the Government and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and in particular H.E. President Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Hon. the Prime Minister Morgan Richard Tsvangirai for addressing the participants and their highly commitment was highly acknowledged. 35. The COMY III extended its appreciation to the outgoing Chair, H.E. Bother Abdulhadi Lahweej, General Secretary for Youth Affairs of The Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the members of the bureau and steering committee for their able leadership during their tenure of office of COMY II. 36. The COMY III congratulated and welcomed the incoming Chair, H.E. Hon. Mitaliki K. Protais, Minister of Youth of the republic of Rwanda. 37. COMY III appreciated the offer by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda to host the COMY IV in 2012. 38. The COMY III thanked the AUC and the Ministry of youth Development, Indegenisation and Empowerment and its organizing committee for their efforts, which made this meeting a success. 39. On behalf of COMY III, H.E Hachemi Djiar, minister of Youth of Algeria, the Rapporteur of COMY III, read out a vote of thanks statement addressed to the people and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, for having hosted the Pan African Youth Movement, the current Pan African Youth Union for more than four decades,

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Item 12: CLOSING CEREMONY 40. H.E. Jean-Pierre Ezin, Commissioner of HRST/AUC, representative of the AUC Chairperson, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all participants. He congratulated the COMY III for the results achieved and the adoption of the declaration.. 41. The Chairperson of the COMY III Bureau, Hon. Mitaliki K. Protais, thanked all the delegates and called for all stakeholders’ constant support and cooperation to the members of the COMY III Bureau. He congratulated the Ministers for the achievements towards the African Youth development and encouraged his colleagues to pursue and accelerate their efforts for youth development in Africa. 42. Hon. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, congratulated the Ministers and all the partners for their great interest towards the African youth. He stressed the necessity of more commitment from decision makers and all stakeholders in the youth development agenda. He was pleased to note that the African countries are conscientious of the important role that the youth have to play in the development process and the need to take them on board in order to ensure sustainable development in Africa.

EX.CL/588(XVII) Annex 2

DECLARATION OF THE 3RD ORDINARY SESSION

OF THE AFRICAN UNION CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS IN CHARGE OF YOUTH

VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

12-16 APRIL 2010

THIRD ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION CONFERENCE OF THE MINISTERS IN CHARGE OF YOUTH 12-16 APRIL2010 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

AU/EXP/COMY/Decl.(III)

DECLARATION OF THE 3RD ORDINARY SESSION

OF THE AFRICAN UNION CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS

IN CHARGE OF YOUTH

VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE 12-16 APRIL 2010

AFRICAN UNION

UNION AFRICAINE

UNIÃO AFRICANA

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Telephone : 00 251 11 551 7700 Fax : 00 251 11 551 7844 website : www. africa-union.org

EX.CL/588(XVII)

DECLARATION OF THE 3RD ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS IN CHARGE OF YOUTH

MEETING IN VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE, FROM 12-16 APRIL 2010 PREAMBLE We, African Union Ministers in charge of Youth meeting in the Third Ordinary Session of the Conference of Ministers in charge of Youth in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 12 to 16 April 2010.

Express our profound gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the people and Government of Zimbabwe for hosting COMY III and for the warm hospitality accorded to us; Having noted the report of the 2010 Youth Forum of the Pan African Youth Union preceding the COMY III from 10 to 11 April 2010 in Victoria Falls; Also having noted the declaration of the International Year of Youth 2010, as well as the organization in 2011 of a World Youth Conference under the auspices of the UN adopted by the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations in December 2009; Also having noted the organization of the pre-conference to prepare the African common position to be presented in the World Youth Conference in Mexico in August 2010; Having welcomed the progress made in entry into force of the African Youth Charter on 8 August 2009and its implementation; Having considered and adopted the Plan of action for the implementation of the decade for youth development in Africa (2009-2018) declared during the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2009; Having been informed about the preparatory documents regarding the implementation of an African Union Youth Volunteer Corps approved by the Assembly of the African Union; Guided by the African Union vision and commitment towards peace, integration, prosperity and democracy on the continent; Cognizant of the role played by the Member States and the commitment from the youth to accelerate actions in favor of their participation in all capacity building processes as well as their efforts to consolidate sustainable peace and foster development in Africa;

EX.CL/588(XVII)

Cognizant of the disposition of the youth to fully contribute to debates, events and actions through active and concrete participation in local, national, regional and international initiatives for effective achievements benefiting the entire society and thereby fostering sustainable development of the continent; Convinced that a strong political will is necessary to build confidence in the youth and that a good and trustful communication strategy between youth and adults is needed to ensure the commitment of the youth and their participation in Africa’s development; Reaffirming our conviction that the youth must be fully involved and participate in the decision-making processes; DECLARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. COMMEND all the AU Member States that have signed and/or ratified the African

Youth Charter and call upon those who have not done so to sign and ratify the Charter;

2. URGE the African Union Commission and Member States to continue the efforts

to popularize, ratify and implement the African Youth Charter; 3. COMMEND AND ENCOURAGE the African Union Commission for its continuous

efforts to advance the agenda of youth development in Africa and COMMEND efforts towards the revitalization of the PYU;

4. FURTHER COMMEND the United Nations for adopting at its 64th General

Assembly in December 2009 the resolution 64/134 proclaiming 2010 the International Year of Youth and the organization in 2011 of a World Youth Conference under the auspices of the UN;

5. COMMEND the Republic of Tunisia for initiating the idea of making 2010 the

International Year of Youth and offering an opportunity to celebrate the youth in general throughout the world and the African youth in particular;

6. COMMEND the Republic of Mexico for taking the initiative to host the World

Youth Conference and ENCOURAGE all UN regions to be actively involved in the preparatory process of the said Conference to be held in August 2010;

7. WELCOME the proposal by the Libyan Government on the promotion of a

network for the employment of the youth and its initiative related to the declaration made in December 2009 in Tripoli on hosting the Second Conference on the Implementation of Employment Opportunities in Africa, as well as the promotion of women, children and youth in Africa, within the framework of the development project initiated by H.E. Brother Leader, Muammer Gaddafi, Leader of the Revolution, king of Traditional kings of Africa;

EX.CL/588(XVII)

8. ALSO WELCOME the Libyan proposal to include national youth representatives

in official delegations at all levels, pursuant to United Nations General Assembly Resolutions Nos. 50/81, paragr.107-1995 and 59-148 paragr. 4-2004, as well as to have all Summits preceded by an African Youth Forum, and to host the first edition;

9. CONGRATULATE the African youth, especially those in the Diaspora for their

efforts and determination to undertake more challenging initiatives in the implementation of youth development programmes on the Continent;

10. APPRECIATE the role played by the Republic of Algeria as host since 1967 of

the headquarters of the Pan African Youth Movement, turned to the Pan African Youth Union; and WELCOME the offer made by the Republic of Sudan to host the PYU headquarters;

11. STRONGLY REQUEST the African Union Commission to ensure that the Summit

of African Union Heads of State and Government in 2011 or 2012 is devoted to the theme “Accelerating Youth empowerment for sustainable development”;

12. URGE Member States to share national experiences for the AUC to publish best

practices for youth promotion. 13. RENEW OUR COMMITMENT to implement the Plan of action for the Decade for

Youth development and empowerment to achieve the objectives set for African youth and to facilitate the implementation of all relevant initiatives relevant to the visibility and active participation of the youth in Africa;

14. URGE Member States to harmonize their national youth programme and projects

with the Plan of action for the Decade 2009-2018; 15. FURTHER URGE the African Union Commission to support monitoring and

evaluation of the implementation of Youth agenda and submit periodic reports; 16. REQUEST Member States to establish, pursuant to Article 11 (2.h) of the African

Youth Charter, the Youth Volunteer Corps programme at national and regional levels and also support its implementation;

17. SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE the initiatives and actions undertaken by the civil

society, youth Associative movements, NGOs and private sector to enhance and speed up youth development endeavors;

18. WELCOME the Assembly Declaration of African Women Decade (2010-2020)

and Pledge to collaborate for enhanced synergy in areas of common interest;

EX.CL/588(XVII)

19. WELCOME the participation of the partners, including the United Nations agencies, bilateral and multilateral institutions, national and international NGOs, private sector and the Diaspora to the on-going efforts towards youth development in Africa.

Done at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on 16 April 2010 African Union Conference of Ministers in Charge of Youth

“We are determined to deal once and for all with the scourge of conflicts and violence on our continent, acknowledging our shortcomings and errors, committing our resources and our best people, and missing no opportunity to push forward the agenda of conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. We, as leaders, simply cannot bequeath the burden of conflicts to the next generation of Africans.” (Paragraph 9 of the Tripoli Declaration of 31 August 2009).