26TH EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING OF EAC  COUNCIL  OF MINISTERS TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK

The 26^th meeting of the EAC Extra-Ordinary Council of Ministers will on Monday, April 22, 2013  to Thursday, April 25, 2013 hold its sitting in Arusha, Tanzania.

The 26^th meeting of the EAC Extra Ordinary Council of Ministers will be conducted through the session of Senior Officials 22-23 April 2013; the session of the Co-ordination Committee i.e. Permanent Secretaries 24 April 2013; and climax with the Ministerial session on Thursday 25 April 2013.

The High level decision making policy organ of the Community will be expected to consider among other; recommendations on the appointment of one new Deputy Secretary General from the Republic of Kenya; proposal to establish the Bureau of Speakers as an organ of the East African Community and a progress report on the implementation  of the directive of the Summit on extension of the jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice.

In addition, the meeting will consider progress report on the negotiations of the Protocol on the establishment of the East African Community Monetary Union and  the report of the Finance and Administration Committee.

The 26^th Extra-Ordinary Council of Ministers meeting will be followed by the 11^th Extra-Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State on 28 April 2013 also in Arusha ,Tanzania

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) resumes business next week holding its Plenary in Kigali, Rwanda. The Plenary which takes place from Monday, April 15, 2013, to Thursday, April 25, 2013 is the Fifth Meeting of the First Session of the Third Assembly.

President Paul Kagame is expected to address a Special Sitting on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. On his part, the Chairperson of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is expected to deliver the annual State of EAC Address at a Special Sitting on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

The State of EAC Address is delivered once a year by the Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State.   The address espouses on matters of policy and sets momentum and impetus for the integration process.

The Assembly to be presided by the Speaker, Rt. Hon (Dr) Margaret Nantongo Zziwa shall during the two-week period discuss matters of legislative business. The Sitting expects to debate on the following Bills and deliberations:

Prior to the Plenary, the EALA Members are expected to tour a number of development projects in Kigali and up-country over the weekend. The tour organised by the Office of the Prime Minister in the Republic of Rwanda shall see the legislators visit among other places: the Muhanga Concession mining in Muhanga District, Kinazi Cassava Plant in Nyanza District and the Kigali Special Economic zone.  

EALA will also tour the East Africa Granite Industries in Nyagatare in addition to participating in commemorative activities at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Museum and at Rebero.

The Sitting shall be interspersed with a seminar on Millennium Development Goals for all Members.   According to EALA, the seminar is guided by the fact that the period set for the realisation of the MDGs soon expires, thus any impetus to plan for the post 2015 agenda is crucial.

EAST AFRICAN HEALTH PLATFROM TO BE LAUNCHED IN KIGALI MARCH  

Private sector and civil society Health and pharmaceutical experts from the Partner States will convene in Kigali, Rwanda, for two-days from 26 March, 2013 to launch the East African Health Platform (EAHP).

 

The launch, to be presided by the East African Community (EAC) Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors Hon. Jesca Eriyo, is a culmination of a year-long joint efforts by the East African Community (EAC), the East African Business Council (EABC), the East African Community Civil Society Forum (EACSOF), the East African Health Federation (EAHF), the Federation of East African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (FEAPM) and the Eastern Africa Network of AIDS Service Organizations (EANNASO). The EABC and EACSOF are the regional apex associations for the private sector and civil society respectively.

 

‘’The creation of East Africa Health Federation (EAHP) will go a very long way in supplementing the EAC regional efforts in promoting and strengthening the health sector. I am therefore greatly humbled to preside over the launch and hope the platform will result in the creation of an enabling environment for a healthy East African population" underlined Hon. Eriyo.

 

“The development of the EAHP strategic plan comes at the right moment when the EAC has just adopted the dialogue framework for the participation of Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) and Private Sector Organizations (PSOs) in the regional integration process,’’ said Dr Amit Thakker, Chairperson EAHP.

 

Article 127(4) of the Treaty provides for the creation of an enabling environment for participation, strengthening of the private sector and engendering of cooperation among CSOs and PSOs in the region.

 

The focus of the strategy is geared towards institutional development of the platform and harmonization of policies and legislations aligned to the health undertakings in the region.

 

The EAHP is expected to be an effective and vibrant platform, where stakeholders can utilize the already built EAC dialogue channels and enhance promotion of the region’s health sector competitiveness in trade, service delivery and investments.

 

The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur international Zusammernarbeit (GIZ), the German International Development Agency, facilitated the EAHP’s initiation.

FOOD SAFETY A CRITICAL MATTER FOR THE REGION, SAYS EAC OFFICIAL

The region should consider food safety critical matter because food and nutritional security are the foundations of a decent life, a sound education and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, an EAC official has said.

The EAC Senior Livestock Officer Mr. Timothy Wesonga made the point when addressing food experts at the four-day East African Community Regional Workshop on Harmonization of Food Safety Measures in Africa which is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda. 

Representing the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge Productive and Social Sectors Hon Jesca Eriyo, Mr Wesonga noted that food safety is vital is for protecting human health and trade and further informed the food experts that the initiative on food safety is aimed at ensuring safe and nutritious quality food that will contribute to reducing food insecurity in the region and enable EAC products access international markets in tandem with the EAC Food Security Action Plan and the EAC Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Strategy.

The EAC official noted that as the EAC is currently implementing its Food Security Action Plan (2011-15), one of the priority areas is to improve the sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures along the food value chains.

“We believe therefore that the regional food safety measures being developed will play a leading role in ensuring improved safety food in the region.

The Partner States in Articles 108 and 118 of the EAC Treaty have committed to co-operate in the health, social and cultural fields and, in particular, in the fields of human and animal medicines, as well as food and feed safety

The workshop is a follow-up on the first workshop of food experts in Nairobi, Kenya held January this year. 

The focus of the second workshop is to improve the food safety document and ensure that all areas covered are in line with the EAC Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary (SPS) Protocol.

4^TH EAC HEALTH AND SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE FOR 27-29 MARCH IN KIGALI

East African Community to launch Open Health Initiative on opening day of Conference

The Rwandan capital, Kigali, will host the 4^th EAC Health and Scientific Conference and International Trade Fair & Health Exhibition that is scheduled to take place from Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 March 2013 at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

The main theme of the three-day Conference is: Regional Health Priorities and Opportunities: “Evidence for Action in the Changing Global Financial Situation. Prof. Khama Rogo, Lead Health Specialist, World Bank and Prof. Charles Mugone, Executive Director, European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) will deliver the keynote address at the event that will bring together at least 200 health researchers, scientists and policy-makers from all over the world.

The Conference has four sub-themes namely: Maternal and Child Health (Achieving the MDGs for Maternal and Child Health); Non-Communicable Diseases and Trauma; Health Systems Strengthening and Quality of Health Care.

Five symposiums are also planned, covering subjects that include population, HIV & AIDS, sexual and gender based violence, disaster preparedness and tobacco control.

“The EAC is cognizant of the need for joint collaboration in strengthening regional cooperation on health and specifically in the area of health research,” says EAC Secretary General Amb Dr. Richard Sezibera, who adds that the meeting will provide a platform to promote evidence-based health policy formulation.

The 4th Annual East African Health and Scientific Conference will be preceded by the 8th Joint Meeting of Health Professional Boards and Councils from 25 to 26 March 2013 and the 9th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Health from 25 to 26 March 2013.

During the Conference the East African Community Open Health Initiative to Improve Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health will be officially launched. The Open Health Initiative, which the EAC Summit of Heads of State gave their stamp of approval last November, aims to support the EAC Partner States reach their goals for women’s and children’s health by focusing on three thematic areas: ‘Accountability for Results and Resources’, ‘Results-based Financing’, and ‘Innovation’.

The 4^th EAC Health and Scientific Conference and International Trade Fair & Health Exhibition sponsors include: Rwanda Ministry of Health; USAID East Africa (Makerere University Regional Centre for Quality of Care); Population Council; EAC Secretariat; LVBC Secretariat; ECSA-HCS Secretariat; HEALTHY FUTURES Project and QWeCI Project; Sida; WHO and SACIDS.

 

The 4^th EAC Health and Scientific Conference and International Trade Fair & Health Exhibition is convened in fulfillment of the resolutions of the EAC recommendations and other relevant Treaty provisions (Article 118) with regard to regional cooperation and integration in the health sector and the resolutions of the 12th Ordinary Session of the EAC Council of Ministers in 2006.

The EAC Health and Scientific conferences are convened by the EAC Secretariat and hosted on a rotational basis by the Partner States through their respective National Ministries responsible for Health,  National Academic and Health Research Institutions, National Health Professional Boards/Councils/Associations in close collaboration with other regional and international health-related non-governmental and civil society organizations, individual health care providers/practitioners/institutions and other stakeholders in both the private and public health sectors.

The 1st Annual East African Health and Scientific Conference was hosted by Uganda from 28 to 30 March 2007 in Kampala, Uganda. The conference incorporated an international health exhibition and trade fair.

The second edition of the conference was hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania from 26 to 28 March 2008 in Arusha, while the subsequent edition was hosted by Kenya from 25 to 27 March 2009 in Nairobi.

ALL SET FOR EAC HARMONIZATION OF FOOD SAFETY MEASURES IN KIGALI

An East African Community Regional Workshop on Harmonization of Food Safety Measures in Africa will take place 19-22 March 2013 at Hotel Des Mille Collines in Kigali, Rwanda.

The workshop aims at harmonization of the food hygiene management through “Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) in Africa.

The main objective of the workshop is to facilitate the finalization of the technical details of the EAC food safety measures. An agreement is also expected to be reached during the workshop on how to implement the African Reference and Guidelines for Harmonization of the Management of the Food Hygiene in the EAC Partner States.

In addition the workshop is expected to cross-fertilize ideas with the African Union Commission and other regional economic communities (ECOWAS, COMESA) in order to domesticate and apply the Reference and Guidelines for Harmonization of the Management of the Food Hygiene in Africa.

The workshop is organized by the EAC in partnership with the European Union.

The East African Community is currently implementing its Food Security Action Plan (2011-2015) and preparing to implement the Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Protocol (SPS) that was approved by the EAC Council of Ministers and the Summit last year.  

The SPS measures as prepared by EAC are in four volumes including: SPS Volume I: Phytosanitary measures and procedures for Plants; (ii) SPS Volume II: Zoosanitary measures and procedures for Mammals, Birds & Bees; (iii) SPS Volume III: Measures and procedures for Fish and Fisheries; and (iv) SPS Draft Harmonized Food Safety Measures.

PRIVATE SECTOR CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON MOVEMENT OF SERVICES SUPPLIERS IN EAC SET FOR DAR

The Secretary General of the East African Community Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera is expected to officiate at the closing session of Regional Private Sector Consultative meeting on movement of Service Suppliers taking place from 20 to 22 March 2012, at the New Africa Hotel, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The main objective of the consultative meeting is to help the private sector understand the issues concerning movement of services suppliers under the Common Market Protocol and determine whether the regime is sufficient.

The meeting further aims to sensitize and inform service operators about services integration in the EAC and the possibilities of making the integration process meaningful to their businesses through improvements to their ability to move key personnel around EAC markets. 

The private sector will also use the meeting to present a position paper to the EAC Secretariat. The private sector position paper will outline key issues and recommendations to EAC policy makers on the issue of movement of services suppliers.

About 100 participants from private sector firms and associations active in the area of trade in services, select researchers and practitioners on trade in services and representatives from development partners are expected to attend the meeting which has been organized by the East African  Business Council (EABC) through the East African Professional Services Platform (EAPSP).

EAC EXPERTS TO POLISH PLAN FOR EMPOWERING BORDER COMMUNITIEE

Experts from the East African Community meet next week in Bujumbura, Burundi to discuss plans to empower border communities through the modernization of locally shared markets.

The 18 to 20 March 2013 meeting organized in collaboration with the African Trade Policy Centre (APTC), will take place at Hotel Safari Gate and is a follow-up on the 1^st Meeting of Experts in Kigali, Rwanda held June 2011 where a proposal for a project entitled “Empowering Border Communities through Modernization of Shared Markets” was considered.

The Kigali meeting recommended, among others, construction of shared markets, storage facilities, improving water and sanitation and building feeder and access roads for border communities. Border communities all over east Africa would also benefit from electrification, health care centers, garbage collection posts and police posts once the project gets off the ground.

Next week’s meeting in Bujumbura is expected to consider and finalize the detailed draft project report; recommend locations/sites in the five Partner States where the proposed project facilities will be set up; and agree on a roadmap for mobilizing resources for implementation of the project by June 2014.

The 18-20 March experts’ meeting will then recommend to the Sectoral Council on Gender, Youth, Children, Social Protection and Community Development to adopt the project.

In order to facilitate realisation of the Treaty, the EAC has put in place institutional and policy frameworks which include, among others, the establishment of the Common Market, the 4^th EAC Development Strategy (2011/201-2015/2016), the proposed EAC Social Development Framework, the gender and community development framework and its five year operational plan which include gender, youth, children persons with disabilities, social protection and community development.

The 1^st Meeting of Experts noted that border communities within the EAC Partner States are faced with many challenges and therefore agreed that the aforementioned challenges be shared within all Partner States and may be addressed through outlined strategies. The meeting made recommendations regarding the development of border markets.

 

EAC-USAID/EAST AFRICA ACTIVITIES REVIEW MEETING CONCLUDES IN ARUSHA

A two-day EAC-USAID East Africa activities review meeting concluded 12 March 2013 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The USAID/East Africa Mission Director based in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Jeffrey Ashley led a team of Heads of Units/Advisors in regional economic growth and integration, Agriculture, Environment, Climate change, Health, Energy, Monitoring and Evaluation.

 Among others is to review activities in the respective fields and get updates on the 2013 work plans with their counterparts at the EAC Secretariat led by Dr. James Njagu, the Principal Resource Mobilization Officer.

The USAID Team paid a courtesy call on the Secretary General of the East African Community Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera, during which the Secretary General commended the partnership between EAC and the US government through USAID. Amb. Sezibera hailed the willingness President Obama’s administration to up-scale its engagement with the EAC as a region.

The Secretary General urged the USAID-EAC Teams to focus on results as they review and plan for activities. “You need to plan, measure and communicate results better” urged Amb. Sezibera, adding that there is need to engage in those activities where we can show results to the people of East Africa. We need to show that the integration process is working to the people of this region.

The Secretary General also implored USAID to consider supporting the EAC in infrastructure development especially in rails, ports and harbours as well as the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO)- the regional organization under the East African Community responsible for coordinating and managing fisheries resources of Lake Victoria.

 Secretary General of East African Community Dr. Richard Sezibera (Center) with the delegation of USAID and EAC officials