Chairperson Receives UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 18, 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 Tuesday, 17 April 2012, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Ms. Patricia O'Brien.

During the meeting, both personalities discussed the existing ties of cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations in the area of legal affairs and agreed on the need to broaden the framework of such collaboration.

USG O'Brien transmitted to the Chairperson warm greetings from the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, who, she said, “holds you in very high regard.”

She described the relationship between the United Nations and the African Union as “excellent,” adding that the purpose of her visit was to explore avenues for enhancing the relationship between the Legal Affairs Offices of both organizations, and exchange views on topical issues of mutual interest .

On his part, the Chairperson welcomed the Under-Secretary-General and wished her a pleasant stay in Addis Ababa. He gave her a thorough overview of the issues and challenges facing the African Union, in the area of international law, and methodically articulated the AU position on several relevant and topical concepts and issues in the international system.

USG O'Brien thanked the Chairperson for his “fascinating” presentation.

During her visit, the Under-Secretary-General and her Delegation also held meetings with the AU Office of Legal Counsel , as well as with the Legal Advisers of African Permanent Missions to the African Union.