The 24th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU officially opens on Monday 27 January 2014

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The 24th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU officially opens on Monday 27 January 2014

WHAT: 24th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU).

THEME: Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa

WHEN: 27- 28 January 2014 January 2014 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Large Conference Hall (plenary) /AUCC

WHY: In the context of the 22nd Summit of the AU, the twenty fourth (24th) Ordinary Session of the Executive Council will deliberate on the different reports of the ministerial meetings organised by the AU Commission during the last six months. The Ministers of External Affairs and other ministers or authorities designated by the governments of AU Member States will consider the activity report of the Commission; the recommendations of the PRC on the implementation of previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly; and the report of the ministerial committee on candidatures.

The Executive Council will also consider the report on the implementation of the of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA); the report of the Commission on the Situation in the Middle East and Palestine as well as the report of the Commission on implementation of Assembly Decision on granting competence to the African Court of Justice and Human Rights to deal with International Crimes.

One of the high moments during the Executive Council meeting will be the election of the ten members of the Peace and Security Council for a two year mandate, as well as the election of the president and vice president of the Pan-African University Council.

The ministers will in turn pass on their decisions and recommendations to the Heads of State and Government who will meet in their 22nd ordinary session from 30 to 31 January.

JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 24th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON MONDAY 27 JANUARY 2014, AT 10:00 AM.

According to the draft program of the Executive Council, the official opening ceremony will feature among others, welcome remarks by the Chairperson of the Executive Council, a statement by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, a statement by the UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UNECA and a group Photo for Ministers. Camera people are invited to cover the photo session immediately after the opening ceremony in front of the plenary hall of the AUC Conference Center.