At the initiative of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), a high-level meeting of representatives and special envoys of the United Nations Secretary-General working in the sub-region was opened on Wednesday 30 November in Luanda, in the presence of the Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Téte António. He was delighted with the choice of the capital of Angola to host this important meeting, supporting the idea of making it a permanent consultation mechanism.
Mr. Téte António took this opportunity to discuss the context in which this meeting is being held, mentioning the mini-Summit on peace and security in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo organized a few days earlier in Luanda. He also highlighted some issues and challenges of the sub-region as well as the ways and means to deal with them. “For the existing conflicts to end, we believe it is imperative that we all be of the same spirit and walk hand in hand in the search for solutions for lasting peace in the different parts of our continent and in always thinking of the trilogy of peace, development and human rights so that the people of Africa can fully benefit from it”, he underlined.
Common vision of UN engagement in Central Africa
In this perspective, Mr. Abdou Abarry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), pointed out that the meeting in Luanda will allow “to discuss the priorities and to adopt concrete recommendations for better coordination and greater coherence in the implementation of the common vision of the UN’s engagement in Central Africa”. Also taking part are: Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); Mrs. Valentine Rugwabiza,
The high-level meeting in Luanda, which ends on 1 December, is in line with UNOCA’s mandate relating to the need to strengthen “coherence and coordination of the activities carried out by United Nations entities in the sub-region”. for peace and security”. Like the one launched in October 2011 and open to Resident Coordinators and Regional Directors of UN agencies, it will be held annually and on a rotating basis in different countries of Central Africa. Objective: to continue to exchange views on the political and security dynamics as well as on the opportunities and potentialities of the sub-region, for a concerted UN response to cross-cutting challenges. In her remarks, Ms. Zahira Virani, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Angola,
Source: UN Regional Office for Central Africa