February (2010)

Contents

3 February 2010 - NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency to Replace NEPAD Secretariat: Press Release

African leaders meeting at the 14th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, on 1 February, approved the establishment of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) as a technical body of the AU in replacement of the NEPAD Secretariat.

The NPCA is mandated to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of continental and regional priority programmes and projects and to mobilise resources and partners in support of their implementation.

In addition, the African Heads of State and Government in attendance at the AU Assembly have directed the NPCA to conduct and coordinate research and knowledge management, monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and advocate on the AU and NEPAD vision, mission and core values.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) exercises supervisory authority over the NPCA, whilst giving the new Agency adequate and necessary flexibilities to carry out its mandate and thereby maintaining the corporate brand identity of the NEPAD Programme within the AU.

The leaders also directed that the NPCA activities be financed through an established budget from the statutory sources of the AUC, voluntary contributions from AU member states and additional budgetary support from development partners and the private sector.

For more information and interview requests, please contact Andrew Kanyegirire (andrewk@nepad.org).

Source: EuroAfriCa-ICT.

1 February 2010 - What's in Store for European Research Under the New Research Commissioner?

The next European Commission research Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, has her work cut out for her. The mid-term review of the Seventh Framework Programme will be among the major priority tasks undertaken upon taking up office in Brussels in 2010, University World News reports. Geoghegan-Quinn underwent the three hour long interrogation process conducted by members of the European Parliament, which is designed to provide a final screening of nominees before they are finally appointed to office. The new Commissioner is expected to begin work on 9 February.

To read the full report go to University World News online.