The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 diplomatic mission have pledged to deepen collaboration to advance peacebuilding and continental development.

The engagement took place when a delegation from the AUC, led by Orit Ibrahim, paid a strategic working visit to the mission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ms Ibrahim said the visit was to strengthen collaboration on key initiatives aimed at advancing peace, security, economic integration, and sustainable development across the continent.

“The engagement focused on institutional cooperation and key flagship projects, particularly the Community Peace Monitoring (CPM) application.

“The CPM App is a digital tool designed for conflict prevention, early warning, community-based intelligence gathering, and peacebuilding across Africa. It aligns with the AU’s “Silencing the Guns in Africa” initiative.

“Both parties reiterated that peace was the foundation for achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063, noting that Africa’s economic transformation and stability depend on conflict prevention and dialogue,” she said.

Ms Ibrahim commended the mission for leveraging technology and community engagement to address Africa’s challenges.

She also lauded the mission for its innovative and practical approach to continental development.

She cited the mission’s commitment to leveraging technology, community engagement, and strategic partnerships to address Africa’s most pressing challenges.

Stephen Ben-Joel, global president of the Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 diplomatic mission, presented the mission’s strategic interventions in his remarks.

Mr Ben-Joel showcased several innovative projects being championed by the mission.

Among the projects presented were the Pan-African Continental Super Marketplace (PAC-SM) and its accompanying digital application.

The PAC-SM is a technology-driven platform created to facilitate seamless intra-African trade, connect buyers and sellers across borders, support African businesses, and strengthen the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He also highlighted the mission’s proposed Pan-African tourism application, designed to promote Africa’s rich cultural heritage, tourism destinations, investment opportunities, and people-to-people exchanges, while enhancing the continent’s visibility as a global tourism destination.

He equally briefed the delegation on the mission’s limestone block technology initiative, which seeks to promote affordable, environmentally sustainable, and durable housing solutions across Africa.

“The project is expected to contribute significantly to addressing housing deficits while encouraging local industrial development and job creation,” he said.

He also briefed the delegation on the mission’s housing development programme and ongoing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects, including recently commissioned community water schemes.

Other projects, he said, included the recently commissioned community water schemes aimed at improving access to clean, safe water for underserved populations, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

“The two organisations agreed to expand partnership in peacebuilding, economic integration, digital transformation, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

“They reaffirmed commitment to the AU’s vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated continent driven by its citizens,” he said. 

(NAN)