Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner indicated her appreciation for the support provided by the host, the Government of the Gambia o to promote the efforts "to take forward an initiative that establishes hope that Africa would be able to shape its own women's advancement agenda."

She continued her presentation as follows:

"We gather at a time when the financial, economic and environmental crises that the world faces together represent no other than a human rights crisis and increasingly pose a challenge to the 12-point women's empowerment and gender equality agenda that we had set for ourselves in Beijing in 1995. This reality is more apparent for Africa than any other part of the globe. The consequence for us is clear - we must respond to the voices of the marginalized who call on us to act in a situation where their human rights took a backseat to a globalization that swept the world into a frenzy of growth and environmental degradation At this time of crisis, we are all called upon to be bold in thought and action, as we strive to move towards a system that is inclusive, sustainable arid respectful of universal rights."

"The challenges that we are called upon to respond to are many and varied. Now, more than ever, we need to be strong and creative in our response to the collective human rights crises. we face. Herein resides the significance of my presence and indeed that of the African Union Commission at this Session of the Beijing + 15 Review Conference. Not only is such presence directed at reaffirming African Union's. Commitment to the Dakar and Beijing platforms, but it also serves as a basis for articulating some of the central concerns that confront the African Union Commission as it implements its mandate and as its seeks to achieve the objective of a better life for all in our Continent.

"In the five years since the last review of the Dakar and Beijing Conference outcomes and whilst acknowledging these Platforms as the guiding principle that, among other things, has informed political, social, cultural and economic development processes in African Countries, AU. Member States have indeed continued to make steady progress in delivering on their commitments as evidenced in the integration of gender equality principles in national legal and institutional frameworks. This 8th Regional Conference, therefore, presents yet another welcome opportunity to collectively take stock of where we are and determine what needs to be done to further the process of gender equality and women's empowerment in the Continent."

"She added that as they reflect on matters of detail on the achievements and challenges to women's advancement in Africa , they also should think of the larger context of reflection and action.

"He indicated as follows: "In particular, I would like to draw this august gathering's attention to the recently adopted Strategic Plan of the African Union Commission. This Plan, simply crafted, emerges from a collective process of reflection and analysis and represents a determination on the part of the African Union Commission to demonstrate continuity and at the same time embrace changes in action that are needed in an ever-evolving world. At the centre of this Plan is a continuing commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment in the Union we are seeking to establish. It is noteworthy that within the framework of the Strategic Plan , the Commission has restated the commitment to the accelerated implementation of AU Gender Policy, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human andPeoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa and the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa in the context of the Dakar and Beijing Platforms and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women. In addition, the Commission has, in response to Member States' demands, also placed an added emphasis on the promotion and protection of social and economic rights of the peoples of this Continent.

"Furthermore, in a world where individual human rights are linked to systems of governance, we are increasingly called upon to act as a collective as we engage in establishing global policies and as we engage in relationships with other regions. Such regionalism and the reality of strength through unity, suggest that we always express and defend common perspectives and approaches in our engagements. Experience has it however that such commonness of purpose and the need for coordination and synergy more often remain in realms of intention, rather than action; in recognition of which, Member States have, through the current Strategic Plan of the African Union Commission called on us to reflect on the most appropriate Architecture on Gender and Governance so as to facilitate the establishment of a common platform for articulating African positions and perspectives in global and region-to region engagements, As this process unfolds, I am certain that we would be able to count on the commitment of all here present to establishing synergies and enhancing coordination in the wider space of Governance dialogue and action and its specific relationship with the Continental Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Agenda.

"All that we talk about and all that we do will be meaningless if we do not pay added attention at ensuring that the peoples of our Continent remain informed of all our efforts. Whilst we have a propensity to emphasize the role and responsibilities of state parties, we cannot and should not forget to remind ourselves that our success hinges on building wider ownership and ensuring that- the burden of responsibility and actions is shared across all sectors of our societies. Naturally, the most apparent channel for communication would be the Summit of Heads of State and Government, the Regional Economic Communities, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCc), the Pan-African Parliament and other organs. However, to ensure wider outreach, we must also expand our communication efforts to ensure that all communication spaces and channels are used to popularize the work of and within Member States.

"In concluding this statement of support from the perspective of the African Union Commission, allow me to restate simply the three elements of consideration that are uppermost to our mind and that require consideration at this Review Conference and in the future by all stakeholders. Firstly, the importance of the wider context of human rights and in particular the impact on women's rights that emanate from global economic and environmental action. Secondly, the significance of synergy and coordinative action in a world of increased integration, coupled with regionally-driven negotiations Thirdly, the imperative of investing resources in promotion and development to ensure greater buy-in not forgetting the monitoring of compliance These are by no means the only considerations for the Commission and whilst the burden of responsibility is wide, we are all reassured of a brighter future by the positive strides and developments that have already been registered by our Member States.

"The declaration by the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its 12th Ordinary Session in February 2009 of the African Women's Decade spanning 2010 to 2020 cannot be underscored. The significance of the initiative lies in its immense potential in galvanizing support and increased attention to the Beijing and Dakar Processes and I trust we can count on the entire UN family and all other stakeholders as we strive to alleviate the plight of the womenfolk in our countries and communities."