The document discusses strengthening coordination between the African Union (AU) and regional economic communities (RECs) on health issues. It provides background on the RECs' role as building blocks of the AU and outlines agreements to improve collaboration, such as establishing health desks in RECs and harmonizing policies. It also describes the Protocol on relations between the AU and RECs, which aims to formalize cooperation and establish coordination mechanisms across various sectors including health. To improve coordination, the document recommends conducting assessments, identifying priority areas, and formulating recommendations to strengthen results and monitoring between RECs/RHOs and the AU.

1. Strengthening National AIDS Response
Coordination and Aligning of the Continental, and
Regional AIDS Responses and other health
programmes
7-8 November 2013,
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
Dr. Marie-Goretti-Harakeye
Head of Division, AIDS, TB, Malaria and
Other Infectious Diseases
Design: MIS Division
November 2009

2. VISION OF THE AFRICAN UNION
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The vision of the African Union is that of: “An integrated, prosperous
and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a
dynamic force in global arena.”
MISSION AND VALUES OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
The mission of the Commission is become “An efficient and valueadding institution driving the African integration and development
process in close collaboration with African Union Member States,
the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens”.
The Commission will be guided by the following principles:
Subsidiarity and complementarity with other Organs, Member States
and RECs;
Results orientation, feasibility and impact focus;
Close coordination and cooperation with the RECs;
Coherence of policies and programmes; and
A networking approach that takes advantage of available resources
through other players.

3. AU VISION (2)
AU Strategic plan 2014-2017
 AGENDA 2063
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"A global strategy to optimize use of Africa's
resources for the benefits of all Africans"

4. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE AU
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To achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African
countries and the peoples of Africa;
To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence
of its Member States;
To accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the
continent;
To promote and defend African common positions on issues of
interest to the continent and its peoples;
To encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the
Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights;
To promote peace, security, and stability on the continent;
To promote democratic principles and institutions, popular
participation and good governance;
To promote and protect human and peoples' rights in accordance
with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other
relevant human rights instruments;

5. OBJECTIVE OF THE AU (2)
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To establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play
its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations;
To promote sustainable development at the economic, social and
cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies;
To promote co-operation in all fields of human activity to raise the living
standards of African peoples;
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To coordinate and harmonize the policies between
the existing and future Regional Economic
Communities for the gradual attainment of the
objectives of the Union;
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To advance the development of the continent by promoting research in
all fields, in particular in science and technology;
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To work with relevant international partners in
the eradication of preventable diseases and the
promotion of good health on the continent.

6. AU ORGANS
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The Assembly
Composed of Heads of State and Government or their duly accredited
representatives. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government is
the supreme organ of the Union.
The Executive Council
Composed of Ministers or Authorities designated by the Governments
of Members States. The Executive Council is responsible to the
Assembly.
The Commission
Composed of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, eight
Commissioners and Staff members; Each Commissioner shall be
responsible for a portfolio.
The Permanent Representatives' Committee
Composed of Permanent Representatives of Member States accredited
to the Union. The Permanent Representatives Committee is charged
with the responsibility of preparing the work of the Executive Council.

7. AU ORGANS (2)
Peace and Security Council (PSC)
By decision AHG/Dec 160 (xxxvii) of the Summit of Lusaka, July 2001, a
decision was made for the creation within the African Union of the Peace and
Security Council. The Protocol establishing the PSC is in the process of ratification.
Pan-African Parliament
A Pan-African Parliament, and organ to ensure the full participation of
African peoples in governance, development and economic integration of the
Continent. The protocol relating to the composition, powers, functions and
organization of the Pan-African Parliament has been signed by Member States and
is in the process of ratification.
ECOSOCC
The Economic, Social and Cultural Council, an advisory organ composed
of different social and professional groups of the Member States of the Union.
The statutes determining the functions, powers, composition and organization of
the Economic, Social and Cultural Council have been prepared and will be
submitted to Maputo Summit.
The Court of Justice

8. AU COMMISSION
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The Commission is the key organ playing a central role in the day-today management of the African Union.
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Among others, it represents the Union and defends its
interests; elaborates draft common positions of the Union; prepares
strategic plans and studies for the consideration of the Executive
Council; elaborates, promotes, coordinates and
harmonizes the programmes and policies of the Union
with those of the RECs; ensures the mainstreaming of gender in
all programmes and activities of the Union.
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Members of the Commission
Chairperson;
Deputy Chairperson;
Eight (8) Commissioners (Social Affairs, Trade and Industry, Economic
Affairs, Commissioner for Peace and Security, Infrastructure and
Energy, Human Resources, Science and Technology, Rural Economy
and Agriculture)

9. DSA Organizational Structure
COMMISSIONER
DIRECTOR
ACALAN
on of
th
ation
rition
Division of
HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and
TB
AWA
Secretariat
CELHTO
Division of
Labour,
Employment
and Migration
ACERWC
Secretariat
Division of
Social
Welfare and
Drug Control
Division
of
Culture
Division
of
Sports
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10. AU POLICY INSTRUMENTS (HEALTH)
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Africa Health Strategy
Abuja Call for accelerated action toward universal access to ATM
services in Africa
Maputo Plan of Action for SRHR(MPoA)
Africa regional Nutrition Strategy
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA)
Campaign for accelerated reduction of maternal Newborn and
Child mortality in Africa (CARMMA)
AIDS Watch Africa, an HOSG platform for High Level Advocacy
and accountability for AIDS, TB and Malaria response
AU Roadmap for Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for
Aids TB and Malaria response in Africa (2012-2015)

11. BACKGROUND ON THE RECS AS AU’S BUILDING
BLOCKS
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The RECS are the pillars of the AU and have been recognized by the AU
as AU’s building blocks and the key vehicles for regional and continental
economic integration and cooperation in Africa.
The final OAU Summit in Lusaka from 9 to 11 July 2001 reaffirmed the
status of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) within the African
Union and the need for their close involvement in the formulation and
implementation of all programs of the Union.
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The 2003 session of the AU conference of African Ministers of health
considered and adopted recommendations on a proposal to establish
health and social affairs desks within the RECS. The 2003 Maputo
session of the assembly of AU Head of States duly endorsed the Report
of the Ministers and their recommendations.
With the 2003 decision, the African leaders recognized the important
role of the RECS in regional integration, as well as the centrality of
health in the regional integration process.
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12. BACKGROUND ON THE RECS AS AU’S BUILDING
BLOCKS (2)
The UNGA resolution 57/7 of 4 November 2002 has also provided an
important legal basis for the collaboration of WHO and other UN agencies with AU
and RECS on various social and health matters
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During the WHO meeting held in Brazzaville/Congo on 28-29 April 2005, all
participants from member states, RECS and AUC agreed to consult each other in
the development of policies, strategies and reports to ensure coherence and
consistency in positions on health matters.
They agreed to organize consultative meeting to clarify and determine the roles of
each partner within the health sector, taking into consideration their strengths,
weaknesses, competencies and comparative advantages.
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At the July 2007 Accra summit the AU Assembly adopted a Protocol on
Relations between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities
(Assembly/AU/Dec.166 (IX)). This protocol is intended to facilitate the
harmonization of policies and ensure compliance with the Abuja Treaty and
Lagos Plan of Action time frames

13. RECS MAP

14. THE PROTOCOL ON RELATIONS BETWEEN
AFRICAN UNION AND RECS
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The Protocol on relations between African Union and RECs agreed to:
a. Formalize, consolidate and promote closer co-operation among RECs
and between them and the AU through the co-ordination and
harmonization of their policies, measures, program and activities in all
fields and sectors;
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b. Establish a framework for co-ordination of the activities of RECs in
their contribution to the realization of the objectives of the Constitutive
Act of the AU and the Abuja Treaty;
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c. Establish a co-ordination mechanism of regional and continental
efforts for the development of common positions by its members in
negotiations at the multilateral level;
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d. Encourage the sharing of experiences in all fields among the RECs
and ensure harmonization of their cooperation with potential donors and
international financial institutions;

15. WHAT NEED TO BE DONE
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Situational assessment to collect all available data within the
RECS related to health sector.
To identify continental and regional priorities as well as areas of
synergy in health policy and interventions with a view to
strengthening capacity for result delivery including monitoring and
reporting.
Need to formulate Suggestions/ Recommendations for improving
collaboration, communication and drawing on synergies between
your REC/RHO and the AU Health Divisions
Organise visits to RECS and agree on a forum AU-RECS to
monitor progress made in the coordinating the AIDS response
and to review the strategies and policies at regional level if
needed.

16. NEED ASSESSMENT FOR IMPROVING AU-RECS
PARTNERSHIP IN THE HEALTH SECTOR
Existence of Health and Social desk within
RECS/RHOs (HIV/AIDS, cross borders
programmes and other related health
issues).
 Key health policy instruments (declarations,
decisions, frameworks, protocols) endorsed
by MOHs or HOSGs.
 Strategic plans, Work plans highlighting
priorities for the health and HIV/AIDS area
areas, Important upcoming events
 Monitoring and Evaluation framework
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17. NEED ASSESSMENT FOR IMPROVING AU-RECS
PARTNERSHIP IN THE HEALTH SECTOR (2)
The Regional Ministers of Health Conference
 Regional coordination meetings with any
international/continental bodies e.g. UN
partners, AU and other International
organizations?
 Implementation of the decisions/declarations
in Countries Process
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18. EXPECTED OUTPUTS
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Status update of continental and regional health
initiatives information and experiences on programs and
activities exchanged, at all appropriate levels,
continental priorities identified and aligned with regional
and national priorities in the health sector
Articulation of an AUC-RECs Cooperation Framework that
institutionalizes partnership, coordination and reporting
mechanisms.
Dialogue established for resource pooling/resourcesharing for dealing with cross borders problems such as
HIV/AIDS in particular and fight against endemics in
general.
Agreement on strengthening the monitoring of AU
Commitment on AIDS

19. AN UNITED AND STRONG AFRICA TO ACHIEVE the goal of an AIDS
FREE GENERATION
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