Addis Ababa — The Common African Position (CAP) on the Post 2015 Development agenda was launched this week Tuesday, at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the presence of Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission as well as the Sherpas of the High Level Committee on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, among other partners and invited guests.
The launch of the CAP was intended as a key step in engaging African stakeholders so as to deepen their understanding of the evolution of the negotiations and advocacy efforts. The launch was also aimed at enhancing ownership of the CAP, while strengthening and leveraging partnerships with non-African stakeholders.
The Liberian President and Chair High Level Committee (HLC), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in her remarks and key message on the post 2015 via a video recording informed the meeting that "CAP reflects the aspirations of the African people." She elaborated on its seven main strategic key messages, which include the commitment of Africa to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the specific focus on health and education as well as a sustainable development agenda and the need for peace and security.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Madame Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in her remarks emphasized the importance of making the CAP people centered, sustainable and resulting in prosperous, integrated and united Africa. "The Common African Position will be pursued regardless of the results of the negotiation out comes and advocacy of individuals in one's own country and elsewhere is important" the Chairperson stated.
The Common African Position was presented by Mr. Anthony Maruping, Commissioner of Economic Affairs of the AUC, who stated that the overarching goals of the CAP are to eradicate poverty and ensure human development, which are anchored in six pillars that are; Structural, Economic transformation and inclusive growth, Science, Technology and Innovation, People-centered development, Environmental sustainability, Natural resources management and disaster management, Peace and Security and Finance and partnerships.
The Commissioner, invited all the stakeholders to champion and support the CAP priority areas, advocate and act in unity to ensure that Africa's voice is heard.
For his part, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Mr. Carlos Lopes spoke on the role of multilateral organizations and other stakeholders in the implementation of the CAP and hailed the Common Position as, "a concrete step towards mainstream all the key issues at the global level but with an African perspective addressing all the Sustainable Development Goals."
"It is important that the African Development Goals are adapted to measure progress on African priorities," he said.
He reiterated the ECA's continued commitment and support and called on all present to join the AUC in ensuring that Africa is able to negotiate its CAP priorities successfully and "not to dilute the principles and objectives of this agenda for the agenda of others"
"From now on, the main focus should be getting the CAP fully owned by all Africans," he said.
Present at the launch were representatives from the Diplomatic Corps, the African Union Commission, United Nations and the European Union, as well as representatives from Civil Society Organizations.
