African leaders approve new agency to replace NEPAD Secretariat

14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union approves the integration of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) into the structures and processes of the African Union including the establishment of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA)
 

ADDIS ABABA, 1st February 2010 – African leaders meeting at the 14th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, today approved the establishment of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) as a technical body of the AU in replacement of the NEPAD Secretariat.

The NPCA is mandated to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of continental and regional priority programmes and projects and to mobilise resources and partners in support of their implementation.

In addition, the African Heads of State and Government in attendance at the AU Assembly have directed the NPCA to conduct and coordinate research and knowledge management, monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and advocate on the AU and NEPAD vision, mission and core values.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) exercises supervisory authority over the NPCA, whilst giving the new Agency adequate and necessary flexibilities to carry out its mandate and thereby maintaining the corporate brand identity of the NEPAD Programme within the AU.

The leaders also directed that the NPCA activities be financed through an established budget from the statutory sources of the AUC, voluntary contributions from AU member states and additional budgetary support from development partners and the private sector.

For more information and interview requests, please contact:
Andrew Kanyegirire: +27 (0) 83 704 4506 andrewk@nepad.org