The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, on Tuesday morning engaged Senior Editors and Journalists at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Uganda.
As part of the Secretary General’s publicity and outreach programme to the Republic of Uganda, on the sidelines of the ongoing 5th Session of the East African Legislative Assembly sitting in Kampala, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko hosted a Media breakfast meeting, during which he expounded on his priorities during his five-year tenure which began in April 2016.
The Secretary General said he would focus on few priorities that will deliver quick results and on those that will touch on the lives of East Africans and address their basic needs such as food, health, education and improved incomes.
He said a big percentage of EAC resources will be directed to sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Education, and Employment creation.
“To achieve this I will strive to establish strategic partnerships with the Development Partners, the Private Sector and also the Civil Society Organizations and of course with you, Members of the fourth Estate”, said Amb. Mfumukeko.
The Secretary General highlighted some of the key achievements in the regional integration process that include the robust implementation of the Single Customs Territory, which has resulted in drastic reduction of the period taken to clear goods from over 20 days to three (3) to four (4) days on the Central Corridor; and from 21 days to four (4) days from Mombasa to Kampala and 18 days to six (6) days to Kigali, on the Northern Corridor.
Amb. Mfumekeko disclosed that out of the 15 border towns earmarked to operate as One Stop Border Posts, 11 had already been completed, adding that 10 of these were already operational.
On the Common Market, the Secretary General said EAC Partner States had enacted new laws to conform to the Protocol, adding that currently Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda were allowing their respective citizens to enter and exit their territories using National Identity cards.
He added that the issuance of the International East African Electronic Passport by the Partner States will commence in the course of this year.
The Senior Editors and Journalists were informed that the process of establishing four (4) support institutions to support the Monetary Union was underway, namely the East African Monetary Institute; East African Statistics Bureau; East African Financial Services Commission, and: the East African Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement Commission.
The Secretary General said the establishment of a strong Monetary Union would require a robust institutional framework to ensure compliance and safeguard the convergence process.
The Secretary General disclosed that as a show of confidence, key Development Partners had renewed their confidence in EAC integration agenda and were willing to upscale their support to the Community.
He said the most promising was the Partnership Fund, which had received over US$2.5 Million and about US$2.9 Million was still in the pipeline.
“In addition to this, I have since July last year signed financing agreements with the EU, Germany, USAID and World Bank amounting to a total of over US$300 Million to be implemented over the coming years. Most of these funds will be channelled to institutional strengthening within the EAC,” he said.
Amb. Mfumukeko cited the slow pace in harmonization of national laws and other instruments to conform to regional laws and instruments, as one of the challenges impacting the implementation of Community programmes and projects.
Other challenges include; inadequate political mobilization for the full implementation of the signed EAC Protocols; maintenance of the key macro-economic criteria essential for the establishment of one single market for financial services; delays in remittance of funds from Partner States and Development Partners to the Organs and Institutions of the Community, and; a long and tedious decision-making process.
"But for your information, Partner States have the capacity and are really working hard together with the Secretariat to mitigate these challenges,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
The Secretary General pledged to work with the Media in Uganda and East Africa in general in order to intensify EAC’s outreach initiatives to the people of East Africa.
Also present at the media breakfast was Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Rt. Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja, who reiterated Uganda’s commitment to the regional integration process.
In line with the EAC Calendar of Activities, the Finance and Administration Committee meeting was held from 10th to 13th January 2017 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The purpose of the meeting was to consider finance, administrative, and human resources matters of the Community.
The Finance and Administration Committee is the technical arm of the EAC Policy Organ, the Council of Ministers. It is charged with scrutinizing all the finance, administrative, and human resource matters to be considered by the Council of Ministers. It is composed of finance, administrative and human resource experts from the Partner States.
The 4-day meeting was attended by experts from all Partner States, EAC Organs and Institutions. The Republic of South Sudan (RSS) attended the EAC meeting for the first time as a full member. The new Partner State sent a five-man delegation led by Hon. Mou Mou Athian Kuol, the Secretary General of South Sudan EAC Secretariat based in Juba.
The Republic of South Sudan became a full member of the East African Community having deposited the instruments for ratification with the Secretary General in September 2016. The Secretariat is working on a detailed roadmap to integrate the new Partner State in the EAC projects and programmes and participation of the South Sudanese delegates in the meeting is part of the process.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Mou Mou Athian Kuol hailed the conducive atmosphere in which the EAC meetings were being conducted. He noted that RSS has committed itself to the collective responsibility and commitments toward the East African integration, which it considers as a platform to establish itself in the community of progressive nation in the world.
Hon. Mou Mou assured the meeting that RSS was fully seized on the restoration of peace and tranquility in the country following the disturbances of July, 2016 and was accelerating its action to get back on track in various Protocols to restore peace in the country.
The Finance and Administration Committee meeting made several finance, administrative, and human resource recommendations to the Coordination Committee (Permanent/Principal Secretaries), who will, in turn recommend to the Council for adopting/or further guidance.
The meeting noted that the delay in disbursement of Partner States contributions has caused liquidity challenges to the EAC Organs and Institutions, and recommended to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to direct the Partner States to disburse the contributions due for financial year 2016/17 by end of March 2017, to enable the EAC Organs and Institutions discharge their mandate.
The Training of Trainers Workshop on Small Hydropower Development organized by the East African Community (EAC) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) concluded on 22nd December 2016 at the Blue Pearl Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The 30th November, 2016 to 21st December, 2016 workshop commissioned to the University of Dar es Salaam, College of Engineering, and Technology to carry out a Training of Trainers, covered training of fifteen tertiary Institutions from EAC Partner States, curriculum development and development of online platform to facilitate sharing of information as well as experience among small hydropower development stakeholders in East Africa.
The overall objective of the workshop was to enhance technical capacity for Small Hydropower Development in East African in order to increase access to electricity in the region and ensure there is a pool of people able to carry out operation as well as maintenance of small hydropower project.
Addressing the participants of the workshop during the official closing session, the Head of Cooperation from the Italian Embassy, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Mr Fabio Gigantino said, “ People of East Africa need affordable and reliable energy, produced in a sustainable manner”
Mr. Fabio Gigantino, who represented the Italian Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania disclosed to the participants that among all renewable sources, small hydropower can be duly held as one of the most promising for sustainable water and energy development.
He noted that small hydropower development can provide needed energy services in a sustainable manner in the East African Countries. The East African Community may become a pacesetter in Africa also in this filed, added the Mr. Fabio Gigantino.
“Let me assure you that the Italian government will make all the necessary efforts to support Small Hydropower Development in East African”.
In his part the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo said development of small hydropower projects is important in the region because it is necessary for solving the problem of electricity access and also because it brings with number of benefits and opportunities for the East African Community.
He disclosed to the participants that EAC has vast potential for small hydropower according to the scoping study carried out by the EAC with the support from EU Energy Initiative Partnership Dialogue Facility (EUEI PDF), the potential for small hydropower in the EAC region is estimated at 4,097MW scattered in over 750 sites.
The EAC official informed the participants that the programme for small hydropower development is one among others that the EAC is undertaking. In the electricity sector, the region is implementing a Power Master Plan, which outlines priority generation and transmission projects for meeting the region electricity demand over the next twenty-five years, added Deputy Secretary General.
“I am please to inform you that a number of major generation and transmission projects are under implementation with the region expected to have its power system interconnected by 2020 to facilitate regional power trade.’’
Speaking at the same occasion, Acting Head of Energy Division, at the African Union Commission (AUC), Mr. Rashid Abdallah assured the participants that the African Union Commission is supporting the African Member States and the Region Economic Communities to strengthen and accelerate effective governance and regulatory reforms promoting management practices that will increase competition and attract private investments in the development of the energy sector.
On his part, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, University of Dar es Salaam, Prof.Cuthbert Kimambo said despite the fact that the region is endowed with various energy resources most of which have not been well developed. He called for the region to take advantage of the various energy resources available to enhance access to modern energy services through renewable and sustainable solution.
The Training of Trainers Workshop on Small Hydropower Development funded by Italian government saw 12 participants from EAC Partner States who participated in the workshop being awarded certificate for completing the programme.
At the close of business today Friday 16th December, 2016, the offices of the EAC Organs and Institutions will be closed to allow the staff to be with their Families to rest and rejuvenate during the End/New Year Festive Seasons. The Offices will re-open on 9th January 2017. A skeleton staff will remain behind to run the offices.
The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko has sent a message of congratulations to all staff of the Organs and Institutions for their dedication during the year 2016. At the same time, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko is commiserating with all those who had problems of one kind or another in the course of the year, and, in particular, expresses his most heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their loved ones.
“As a result of your strong commitment, passion and dedication to the regional integration agenda, we have witnessed a lot of developments and achievements at individual and corporate levels”, notes Amb. Mfumukeko.
The Secretary General notes that several reforms, which he instituted in the Organs and Institutions aimed at cost reduction in the EAC projects and programmes early this year, were already showing positive developments. He says EAC has reduced its travel expenditures by 28% between May and November 2016, compared to 23% between May and November 2015.
The travel expenditure during May-November 2015 was US$ 9,905,244, and the same expenditure during May-November 2016 is US$ 7,160,279, making a saving of approximately US$ 2.75m.
On behalf of the EAC Organs and Institutions, the Secretary General wishes all a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year!
A regional consultative meeting to finalize draft EAC Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Bill is ongoing in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting, which was convened by the EAC Secretariat and the USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub, is being attended by Partner States’ experts in trade, agriculture, health, livestock, food security, standards, legal, regional integration, and other stake holders.
Presiding over the opening session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in-charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, highlighted the growing importance of sanitary and phytosanitary measures and noted that SPS had become an important topic of debate in international trade as well as regional integration.
Hon. Bazivamo informed the participants that the fundamental importance of SPS matters is linked mainly to Agriculture and trade in agricultural products, which is the mainstay of the economies of EAC Partner States. The EAC official acknowledged that agricultural trade continues to represent a notable portion of intra-EAC total trade flows and that there was enormous potential to increase and urged the EAC Partner States to adequately address and enforce issues around SPS measures and standards.
Taking stock of the progress, Hon. Bazivamo commended the EAC Secretariat, Partner States and non-state actors for the progress made and milestones reached in 2016. He noted that following adoption of the SPS Protocol in 2013; a strong foundation for supporting implementation of the Protocol had been laid. This includes finalization of SPS measures and setting in motion the process of developing SPS Bill. The SPS Bill is expected to facilitate effective implementation and enforcement of the SPS Protocol in the entire Community.
Hon. Bazivamo commended USAID East Africa Office for their sustained efforts in supporting Regional Integration and USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub for supporting the EAC SPS agenda.
A Seminar themed Implementing the African Union (AU) Declaration on Land: The Role of Regional Economic Communities, organized by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) was held on 7th December 2016 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The seminar was held back to back to Sessions of the Ordinary Meeting of the African Union (AU)/UNECA Land Policy Initiative (LPI) Steering Committee that met on 6th December 2016. Prior to the LPI Steering Committee meeting, an experts planning and review meeting was held in the same venue from 4th - 5th December 2016.
All the meetings were hosted by the EAC and marked the first meetings of LPI Implementing Partners and Steering Committee in the EAC as a Regional Economic Community (REC).
The seminar, which was attended by officials from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, African Union Commission, Land Policy Initiative Secretariat, and the EAC Secretariat, aimed at raising awareness on the AU agenda on land and the mandate of the RECs/EAC in this regard; and draw lessons from existing LPI/REC partnerships for possible consideration to enhance technical and financial support to implement AU Declaration on Land, by the Community.
Addressing participants at the official opening of the meeting, the EAC Director of Productive Sectors, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, commended the ongoing continental efforts to ensure successful implementation of the LPI and informed the delegates that under the regional integration process, the EAC Partner States had taken initiatives to develop land Policies and Acts with the view to address land challenges in the region. He said land problems including access and ownership were presenting challenging situations in the region.
At regional level, the Director noted that land issues were being addressed as part of natural resources in general under Chapter 19 of the EAC Treaty where Partner States agreed to take concerted measures to foster cooperation in the joint and efficient management and sustainable utilization of natural resources within the Community, and to harmonize their laws and policies on Natural Resources Management.
On her part, the Director of Agriculture from African Union Commission, Dr. Janet Edeme, informed the delegates that the Land Policy Initiative was established in 2006 as a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
She said the AU Heads of State and Government, through a Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa, during the Thirteenth Assembly of the African Union, in Sirte, Libya, in July 2009, launched the Framework and Guidelines on Land Policy in Africa.
“The AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges calls on RECs to appropriately capture and address issues of land policies within their respective common frameworks. Two broad expected outputs from RECs are Land mainstreamed in REC programs and plans; and Land mainstreamed in National Governments Plans and Strategies”, affirmed the AUC Director of Agriculture.
The Chief of LPI Secretariat, Dr. Joan Kagwanja, highlighted progress made in implementing the Land Policy Initiative in support of efforts to mainstream land governance in key African institutions. Dr. Joan Kagwanja disclosed that the LPI Secretariat was ready to support EAC in implementing the LPI, particularly through capacity building in mainstreaming of Land in EAC projects and programmes.
LPI Secretariat further pledged to support the EAC Secretariat in different aspects including undertaking more assessments to understand the land issues in the EAC Partner States and to develop areas that need harmonization, operationalization and establishment of a monitoring framework for mutual recognition agreement for Land Surveyors and Land Valuers, and support to Partner States in completing the land registration and establishment of efficient land administration systems which is very key in the management of conflicts over land and its associated natural resources.
Parliament of Uganda are the new champions of football. Uganda beat Parliament of Burundi 7-6 in penalties a scintillating final played at the Mbaraki Sports Ground, over the weekend.
Both teams drew 0-0 in regular time leading to the taking of spot kicks to decide the winner. Even the regular five a piece did not decide the winner with each side losing a spot-kick. Eventually, Hon Peter Ogwang’s sudden death spot kick beat the Burundi keeper, Hon Ibrahim Uwizeye to give Parliament of Uganda the trophy, they last won in 2014.
Both played displayed total attacking football with attacks and counter-attacks, the mainstay of the game. Uganda came close to scoring in the second-half but star striker, Muhammad Nsereko chipped the ball over the bar with the Burundi Goalkeeper well beaten.
In netball, Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Tanzania 38-29 to retain the title for a second year running. The third place went to Parliament of Burundi who beat EALA 30-19.
In men’s Volleyball, Parliament of Kenya dethroned former Champions, Parliament of Rwanda 2 sets to 0 (30-28 and 25-20).Parliament of Uganda took third place after dispatching EALA.
In women’s volleyball, Parliament of Rwanda were declared champions after defeating Parliament of Kenya 2 sets to 0 (25-19 and 25-19). Parliament of Tanzania clinched the third place after beating EALA 2 sets to 0 (25-9 and 25-12).
Parliament of Uganda were declared the best overall team. Parliament of Uganda also took the tug of War titles in both men and women’s categories while Parliament of Burundi were awarded for been the most disciplined team in the entire tournament
Parliament of Kenya also bagged the golf trophy while Hon Peter Mathuki of EALA was feted for being the best golfer.
A High Level Dialogue between the officials of the East African Community and the Development Partners concluded on 6th December 2016, in Dar es salaam, Tanzania, with the Development Partners commending the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko for his outstanding work and commitment in enhancing efficiency of EAC processes and procedures through introduction of reforms.
At the dialogue, held at the official residence of the Norwegian Ambassador to United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Hanne-Marie Kaarstad, the Development Partners expressed renewed confidence in EAC with UK, Canada, France and Turkey committing to resume contributions to the EAC through the Partnership Fund in the next financial year.
The Secretary General was accompanied by Hon. Christophe Bavizamo, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors; Hon. Jesca Eriyo, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration; and other Senior Officers from the EAC Secretariat.
Prior to the dialogue, the Secretary General met and held discussions with H.E. Hanne-Marie Kaarstad, the Norwegian Ambassador, who is also the Chair of the Partnership Fund High Level Committee. Their discussions revolved around the future of the Partnership Fund including the succession of the Partnership Fund Chairmanship and recruitment of a dedicated Manager for the Fund. She expressed her appreciation for the outstanding work the Secretary General had exhibited since he took over the leadership of the Community. H.E. Hanne-Marie has been the Chair of the Committee for the last 3 years and will be completing her term on 31st December 2016.
On the same day, the Secretary General held a series of meetings with several Development Partners in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to update them on the regional integration agenda and discuss possibilities of further collaboration.
EAC – EU cooperation
The Secretary General met the Head of European Delegation to United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Amb. Roeland van de Geer to discuss the EAC – EU cooperation, specifically the implementation of Euro 85 Million allocated under EDF 11.
EAC-Turkish Cooperation
The Secretary General met H.E. Yasemin Eralp, the Turkish Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania. During the meeting, the Secretary General urged the Turkish government to consider identifying areas of potential cooperation with EAC. The Turkish Ambassador on her part expressed her Government’s interest to contribute to the Partnership Fund, and collaborate with EAC in areas of Trade, Investment, and Agriculture.
EAC- Germany Cooperation
The Secretary General and H.E. Egon Kochanke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania, signed a EURO 7 Million with the Federal Republic of Germany to support Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region and the establishment of an Academic Center for Digital Innovation in East Africa. This is the second Agreement between EAC and the Government of Germany this financial year. On 23rd November EAC signed a EURO 40 Million agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany and KfW Development Bank to support immunization programmes in the EAC and operations of the Regional Laboratory Network for Communicable Diseases.
EAC-China Cooperation
The Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko met the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Lu Youqing. During the meeting, the Secretary General appreciated the contribution by the Chinese Government to the ongoing Inter-Burundi Dialogue. He acknowledged receipt of US$ 200,000 in the EAC Secretariat’s accounts as support to the Office of the Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue. The Chinese Ambassador reiterated his Government’s commitment to supporting EAC in the investment, Industry and Environment and Wildlife Conservation. The People’s Republic of China also expressed interest to enter into a unilateral Free Trade Area Agreement with EAC and it was ready to commence discussions with the EAC towards this end.
The Federal Republic of Germany and the East African Community (EAC) on Tuesday, December 6th, 2016, signed a Government Agreement of 7 million euros. The Secretary-General of the East African Community Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko signed on behalf of the Community while His Excellency Egon Kochanke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania and also accredited to the East African Community signed on behalf the Germany Government.
3 million euros in technical assistance will be invested in strengthening the pandemic preparedness of the region. The project will support the operationalization of the EAC Regional Contingency Plan and a regional risk and crisis communication strategy.
4 million euros in technical assistance will be invested in an Academic Center for Digital Innovation. The project will support the set-up of a State of the Art Master programme focusing on embedded and mobile systems at an East African University, supporting the development of a skilled labor force in East Africa.
The projects will be implemented by the GIZ, the German International Cooperation Agency.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for its support to the EAC.
‘’We have truly benefited from the German support which has catalysed other development Partners to support our projects and programmes,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
H.E. Egon Kochanke, Ambassador said: “Our support underlines that Germany wishes to further strengthen the long-standing and deep relationship it maintains with the East African Community in order to contribute to the well-being and prosperity of its citizens”.
Accompanying Ambassador Kochanke was the Country Director of GIZ, Dr. Regine Qualmannand, the Deputy Head of the GIZ Program at the EAC Dr. Kirsten Focken as well as Councellor of the Embassy, Mrs Lena Thiede. Others at the function were EAC Deputy Secretary General Finance and Administration, Hon Jesca Eriyo and Deputy Secretary Productive and Social Sector Hon. Christophe Bazivamo.
Since cooperation began in 1998 the total volume of German support to the EAC amounts to over 240 million euro.
GIZ is providing services worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has over 17,000 staff in over 130 countries, headquarters are in Bonn and Eschborn/ Germany.
The ongoing migration of people to Europe is evidence that African countries have failed to implement policies that could yield benefits to their citizens.
The East African Community (EAC) Deputy Secretary General (DSG) in charge of Infrastructure and Planning, Dr. Enos Bukuku, said that poverty-stricken refugees were willing to risk their precious lives to cross the Mediterranean and face other risks knowing they could get a better life in Europe.
Dr. Bukuku said the migration provides an opportunity for African leaders, elites and governments to ask themselves pertinent questions on why the continent continues to score poorly on all development indicators.
The DSG said it was ironical that many African countries were at the same level of economic growth with most economies in South East Asia in the 1960s yet the latter had become part of the 20 largest economies in the world even as their African counterparts continue to lag behind in development.
Dr. Bukuku was speaking when he presided over the official opening of the 3rd Stakeholders Meeting on the Sub-Regional Coordination Mechanism (SRCM) for Eastern and Southern Africa at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The main aim of the two-day SRCM is to bring together UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Sub-Regional Offices, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGOs) and UN agencies in order to identify opportunities for joint planning and programme implementation at the sub-regional level and thereby effectively support the work and priorities of the RECs and IGOs in the regions.
Among the RECs and IGOs represented at the meeting are the EAC, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Commission. Other organizations with representatives at the meeting are the African Union, United Nations Development Programme, International Labour Organisation, International Organization for Migration, NEPAD, and the Port Management Association for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Speaking at the forum, Mr. Maxwell Mkumba, the SADC Senior Policy Director and Technical Coordinator, on behalf of the SADC Executive Secretary and SRCM outgoing Chair, Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, emphasized the importance of aligning RECs and IGOs key flagship initiatives with the AU Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“We also need to discuss and agree on effective instruments to strengthen our collaboration, synergies and coherence that are necessary to ensure AU Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are effectively mainstreamed into the regional and national development plans,” said Mr. Mkumba.
Mr. Mkumba said that the SRCM had recorded significant achievements over the past one year when SADC held the position of Chair and cited the development of the Draft Addendum to the Business Plan and the study on the mapping of the SRCM stakeholders.
“However, we can do better than this if we are able to improve on our joint programming processes, allow for more regular interactions and effective information sharing and communication, as well as well as urgently deal with challenges around resourcing of programme implementation,” he said.
“Peoples of the regions we represent are looking up to initiatives like the SRCM to address development challenges, including poverty eradication. The SRCM should serve as the excellent mechanism for achieving sustainable development,” he added.
In her remarks, the UNECA Deputy Executive Secretary, Ms. Gionvanie Biha, said the SRCM was a relatively new and evolving mechanism that needs to be embraced and nurtured by all stakeholders, most of whom were still on a learning mode.
Ms. Biha urged UN agencies to use the SRCM as a platform for sharing information and knowledge and building on synergies and complementarities to support regional priorities, adding that leadership by RECs was key to the success of the mechanism.
