Africa: Launch of the Temporary Site of the Great Museum of Africa (GMA). a Flagship Project of the African Union Agenda 2063

21 June 2023
African Union (Addis Ababa)
press release

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Arts of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and the AU Commission Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development the Launch of the Temporary Site of the Great Museum of Africa (GMA) was held at the Boulkine villa located at the Hussein-Dey 19th-century Algerian architectural heritage in Algiers, Algeria on 14 June 2023 in the presence of H.E. Ambassador Lounes Magramane, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, H.E. Mr Zoheir Bellalou, Secretary General of Ministry of Culture and Arts and H .E. Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria.

The GMA is a flagship project of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, launched as part of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063. The GMA will showcase, protect and promote the rich cultural heritage of the continent. The Museum will be hosted by the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria in Algiers, on behalf of the continent. The Great Museum of Africa (GMA) project aims to create awareness about Africa's vast, dynamic and diverse cultural artefacts and the influence Africa has had and continues to have on the various cultures of the world in areas such as art, music, language, science, to mention but a few. The Great Museum of Africa will be a focal centre for preserving and promoting the African cultural heritage as well as in combatting illicit trafficking in heritage resources.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Lounes Magramane, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, on behalf of H.E Mr. Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad described the museum as a pillar of the African Union and cultural renaissance", working to strengthen efforts to build a unified and prosperous continent, capable of protecting its identity, its rich historical heritage and its cultural legacy.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHSD), on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed gratitude to the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria for the hospitably and for the commitment to ensure that the Great Museum of Africa Project becomes a reality. "We enjoyed all the much needed support for the implementation of this important project over the years from all stakeholders including the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Members of the Technical and Advisory Committee, UNESCO, Independent Experts, AFREXIM Bank to mention a few. To all of you we want to say thank you very much for the support and commitment to this unique and critical arts, culture and heritage project," said Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma

H.E. Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma further reminded the audience that the establishment of the Great Museum of African is driven by the recognition of the intricate relationship between the protection of cultural diversity and promotion of cultural pluralism, on the one hand, and development of the continent on the other. It is anchored on the understanding that the protection, preservation and promotion of cultural property and heritage are vital responsibilities jointly shared by the citizens, society and the state.

Furthermore, a signing ceremony of the Host Agreement of the Headquarters of the GMA was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Algeria between the representative of the African Union Commission and the Director General of Protocols of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, H.E. Ambassador Abdelghani Amara, as representative of the Algerian government, proceeded to the signing of the Host Agreement of the headquarters of the Great Museum of Africa (GMA) which will be established in Algiers. The signing ceremony attended by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, H.E. Ambassador Lounès Magramane, and his counterpart from the Ministry of Culture and the Arts, H.E. Zoheir Ballalou and senior officials from both ministries.

The Prime Minister, H.E. Aïmene Benabderrahmane, received in a courtesy call, on 15 June, at the Government Palace, H.E. Amb. Minata Samaté Cessouma. The meeting was an opportunity for both leaders to express their satisfaction for the operationalization of the project of the Great Museum of Africa (GMA) as one of the pioneering projects of the AU Agenda 2063, while confirming their common will to pursue cooperation and coordination to make it a continental beacon, which reflects the diversity of the cultural and historical heritage of Africa, and their determination to work together to strengthen the African capacities to deal with related challenges in the fields of health, humanitarian affairs and social development.

During the Launch, a presentation on the 2003 UNESCO convention and Africa by Professor Slimane Hachi, Director of the Centre for Research in History, Prehistory and Anthropology and the Regional Centre for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Africa under the auspices of UNESCO,a working session and different presentations and discussionsof The Great Museum of Africa Concept Document,delivered by members from the Technical and Advisory Committee, Independent Experts and Officials from the AU Commission and the Government of Algeria took place.

For any additional information kindly contact:

African Union Commission (AUC) - Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social (HHS)

Ms. Angela Martins | Acting Director, Social Development, Culture and Sport Directorate, Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | E-mail: MartinsA@Africa-Union.org cc: ShuleV@Africa-Union.Org; MekbibA@Africa-Union.org

Ministry of Culture, Algeria

Ms. Nawel Dahmani | Director of Prospective Studies documentation and IT and Chairperson of the Technical and Advisory Committee of the Great Museum of Africa | Email: younsinawel@m-culture.gov.dz

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communications Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia I Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram| YouTube |

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