The African Union (AU) is the continental body consisting of 55 Member States that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002, as the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which was formed in 1963 and lead the unification of the continent until 1999.
The AU has since introduced Agenda 2063, Africa’s Strategic Framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
This strategic framework was adopted in 2015 by the 24th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government and is anchored on the AU vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.
The vision of the African Union is that of: “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.”
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The World Expo is a global destination for all, where everyone can learn, innovate, create, progress, share ideas and work together.Each expo revolves around its own theme to leave a lasting impact on the path of human progress.
The Expo 2020 Dubai is the first world expo that will be to held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region and will run for a period of six (6)months from October 2021 to 31st March 2022.This is the also the first time the African Union and every African nation have dedicated pavilions at the Dubai edition, in the 170-year history of World Expos.
The Expo 2020 will be held under the theme: ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, aimed at forging essential, smart partnerships across three (3) critical priorities to inspire and shape the future of all countries and communities, namely:
Is at the heart of development, ensuring that new horizons are opened to individuals and communities to help them meet their current needs and their future aspirations.
Guides how we grow opportunity by doing more with less, while protecting and preserving our environment for future generations
Is the bridge to opportunity by connecting people, goods and ideas, and providing easier access to markets, knowledge and innovation.
For AU, Expo 2020 Dubai offers an opportunity to entrench the relationship between Africa and UAE by leveraging the longstanding economic partnerships in the two regions and showcase its commitment to sustainable development on the continent through the AU Agenda 2063 as well as explore potential partnerships required for its socio-economic transformation.
It also provides innovative solutions, following consultations with the 55 AU Member States in how to increase the quality of life and well-being of all African citizens for instance access to market through regional integration, world class infrastructure connecting the Continent to enhance accessibility and mobility of persons and goods to facilitate trade, which will ultimately increase economic growth. Africa is open for business with a myriad of opportunities to invest in building the Africa we want.
In its quest of engaging new partnerships for supporting the effective implementation of the continental development vision embedded in the Agenda 2063, the African Union sees an opportunity for Africa and its Member States to use this large-scale platform for education and international dialogue. Essentially, the AU through its participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, aims to achieve the following objectives:
• Showcase progress achieved towards creating conducive business environment in Africa and project the continent as “business friendly”;
• Showcase unlimited investment opportunities that exist in Africa amidst its diverse human and resource endowments;
• Showcase African success stories (across sectors and regions) and depict a continent on the move towards integration, interconnectivity and transformation;
• Utilize the platform to tell the African story to the world the way it really is, and project “the Africa we want” through the marketing of Agenda 2063 and what it entails.
