The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has handed over the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) to the African Union Commission (AUC) following its inception in 2012
The AMDC was endorsed by the 2nd conference of African Ministers responsible for Minerals Resource Development in 2011 as an African Union flagship project whose main aim was to coordinate the implementation of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), which had been adopted in 2009 by Heads of State to ensure minerals contributed to the continent’s economic and structural transformation.
Vera Songwe, executive secretary at ECA, said, “It underscores the concrete programmes, partnerships and prospects that demonstrate AMDC’s role as a facilitator of choice, for African countries and their global partners seeking to realise AMV aspirations.”
Songwe said that going forward, continued collaboration among AMDC’s partners and stakeholders remained vital. She said the ECA remained committed to supporting the AMDC’s work.
“Now we must ensure that AMDC’s work goes forward, as Africa strives to assert its agency in the strategic management of its mineral resources. In so doing, our credibility depends on the extent to which we remain true to Africa’s historic imperative for an AMV paradigm. That imperative applies yesterday, today and tomorrow,” she added.
For his part, the AUC Deputy Chairperson Kwesi Quartey applauded the ECA and partners including the Canadian and Australian governments, for supporting and nurturing the AMDC to the level that enabled it to support member States.
“The AMDC has a footprint in more than 25 member states of the African Union. This is indeed a great achievement,” noted Quartey, adding enough resources had been mobilised to support the transition of the AMDC from ECA to the AUC.
The AMDC will be hosted at the AUC before moving to a host country.
