<p>The AU-SARO undertook a working visit to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in Lusaka, Zambia from on 2nd March 2022.The purpose of the working visit was for the Head of Mission Ambassador David Claude Pierre to present his letters of credence to the COMESA Secretary-General, Ms. Chileshe M. Kapwepwe and for the delegation to meet with the COMESA Technical Team in order to identify areas of interests and collaboration in the Southern Africa Region.
During the event, Ms. Kapwepwe noted that the collaboration with AU-SARO would be crucial in harmonizing the policies of AU and COMESA, and in the promotion of the socio-economic, political and cultural development in the region. The event was attended by the COMESA Secretary-General and her technical team, the Ambassador of Ireland to Zambia, Ambassador Bronagh Carr, as well as the AU-SARO Team and the Media.
Furthermore, the meeting also stressed on the need for AU-SARO and COMESA to collaborate in popularising AU programmes in the Southern Africa region; promote harmonisation by consolidating efforts and ensuring the signing and ratification of the AU legal instruments; and to carry out monitoring activities. COMESA expressed the readiness to work with the AU-SARO Team and commended the swift action of the technical teams of both organisations in scheduling a meeting to discuss crosscutting areas of interests in the AU-SARO Strategic Plan 2021-2023 and the COMESA Small and Medium Term Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
lastly, Ambassador David Claude Pierre was conferred with the title of Special Representative to COMESA and the two technical teams from the institutions the need for developing a roadmap for future collaboration.</p>
