Conference of speakers of parliaments concludes with a pledge to strengthen continental solidarity
The 11th conference of heads of African legislatures endorsed Agenda 2063 as a mechanism for an integrated and prosperous Africa driven by its own citizens.
.A recent high-level consultation between the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and speakers of regional and national parliaments ended on a high note.
Calls were made for strengthening links through continental solidarity and support for the implementation of the continent’s flagship development blueprint, the Agenda 2063.
The 11th Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments took place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on September 1 to 2, on the sidelines of the sitting of the PAP committees under the African Union (AU) 2022 theme ‘Building resilience in nutrition: Accelerate the human capital, social and economic development’.
The conference endorsed Agenda 2063 as a mechanism for an integrated and prosperous Africa driven by its citizens. AU member states were called upon to enact enabling legislation for effective implementation and realisation of the aspirations of the agenda.
In line with this, PAP was encouraged to establish formal frameworks and communication channels to regularly transmit information on AU treaties requiring signatures and ratification.
The African Continental Free Trade Area was recognised by speakers of parliaments as a vehicle for continental integration and economic development. In this regard, the African parliamentary leadership called for ratifying this tool and the protocol to the treaty, establishing the African economic community relating to the free movement of persons, right of residence, and right of establishment.
The meeting further called for the removal of trade tariffs and other barriers to facilitate and speed up the free movement of goods to boost African economies.
Realising the adverse effects the Covid-19 pandemic had on the African continent, the meeting advocated for greater collaboration and evolving ideas on building formidable resilience into internal processes to respond to any future global pandemics.
There were calls to support respective governments to improve healthcare systems through the formulation of legislation that strengthens public healthcare delivery and enhances the capacity of healthcare workers.
In closing, PAP president, Chief Fortune Charumbira thanked the attendees and described the deliberations as fruitful while committing to improving information-sharing mechanisms with national and regional parliaments. “There is a lot of work that lies ahead of us but we are willing to work as the continental, regional, and national parliaments, therefore, we need to have continuous engagements and follow-ups. We will come up with frameworks and proper structures on how to share information as a forum as we work towards transforming the lives of the continent’s citizens,” said Charumbira.
Related Article:
Pan-African Parliament Women’s Caucus to host annual conference for women
