Executive Director of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) Nardos Bekele-Thomas lauded the great efforts exerted by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to achieve and support development in Africa especially during his presidency of the steering committee of the heads of state and government of NEPAD.
In an interview given to MENA on the sidelines of her visit to Cairo where she participated in the 4th Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, Thomas termed Sisi’s presiding over the committee, which includes 33 member states, as “very important” for Africa.
The new ten-year plan of the committee includes a number of axes to develop continental infrastructure and boost the rates of intra-African trade in addition to promoting and supporting value chains, she said.
She reviewed the pivotal role of NEPAD in implementing the development agenda “Africa 2063”, pointing out that Africa has ambitious visions and plans to achieve prosperity, peace and stability and boost its economic power by 2063.
She said that there is an executive strategy to implement these plans, adding that the role of the agency is to support and help African countries to fulfill the 2063 vision.
She pointed out to the role of NEPAD in the programs of building peace and reconstruction and development which help in facing challenges in Africa.
She said that the forum is a platform to exchange visions and ideas among officials and experts and for holding free, frank and honest discussions on the issues and challenges facing the continent.
She said that a memorandum of understanding was inked between the agency and Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peace-building (CCCPA) to boost cooperation to achieve peace and development.
