AUC Chairperson and Ethiopian First Lady discuss upcoming Cervical, Breast Cancer Conference

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and the First Lady of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mrs Roman Tesfaye, have discussed plans for the upcoming Conference on Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer scheduled to take place on 26-27 July 2016, at the African Union Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The First Lady of Ethiopia briefed the AU Commission Chairperson on her advocacy initiatives against cancer since she began championing it for over three years now. She equally highlighted the challenges and the critical importance of holding such a conference in Addis Ababa, during the Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on women's right. The First Lady noted the advanced stage of preparations of the conference and invited Dr. Dlamini Zuma to grace the conference with a keynote address during the opening.

The Chairperson of the Commission expressed delight for the AU to hosting such a conference of critical importance. She welcomed the First Lady's initiatives and congratulated her for championing the cause, which she described as extremely noble. “I'm very pleased to see First Ladies embarking on such huge and challenging initiatives. You have all our support,” Dr. Dlamini Zuma said, throwing her weight behind the upcoming 10th conference.

The Conference, entitled, “Stop Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer in Africa” is organized by the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Democratic of Ethiopia, in partnership with the Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation. It will bring together present and former First Ladies, Heads of State and Governments, AU Ministers of Health, UN Agencies, Civil Society Organisations and representatives of the private sector.