AUC Chairperson Receives Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 23, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Dr. Jean Ping, received in his office at the AUC Headquarters on Thursday, 19 April 2012, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Mrs. Thokozani Khupe.
Hon. Khupe is also the Chairperson of the Global Power Network Africa, an organization dedicated to the promotion and acceleration of action for women, girls and gender equality, as well as the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa.
The purpose of the Deputy Prime Minister's visit was to hold consultations with the AUC Leadership on preparations for a High-level meeting of the Global Power Network Africa, organized in partnership with the African Union and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
The meeting, which will take place in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 24-25 May 2012, will aim to enhance accelerated action for women's empowerment and gender equality in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, and sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Continent, with a special focus on vulnerable girls and young women.
It is expected to bring together Heads of State and Government, Ministers in charge of Gender, Women Parliamentarians, leading African Women Entrepreneurs, Civil Society leaders, and Development Partners.
During her meeting with the Chairperson, Hon. Khupe thanked the AUC Leadership for the “excellent cooperation and support'' it has provided to Zimbabwe towards preparations for the Harare meeting, and explained to the Chairperson the meeting's objectives and expected outcomes.
On his part, the Chairperson assured the Deputy Prime Minister that the Commission will continue to work closely with the Republic of Zimbabwe towards the success of the event, which he described as “of great importance to the entire Continent.”
The Chairperson seized the opportunity to extend his congratulations to the President and People of Zimbabwe, on the occasion of the country's 32nd Independence Day celebration on 18 April 2012.
The audience was attended by several Senior Officials from both sides, including: the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, the Chief of Staff in the Bureau of the Chairperson, the Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the African Union, as well as the AUC Directors for Social Affairs, and Women, Gender and Development.