Bujumbura readies to host 13th Ordinary Summit of EAC heads of state on 30 November 2011 / Council of Ministers meeting for 21-26 November / EALA Session and Inter-Parliamentary Seminar is on from 15-29 November / Lake Tanganyika Basin Development Conference on 28-29 November
ARUSHA, Tanzania, November 14, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi is readying to host four important events being organized under the auspices of the East African Community namely; the 13th Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State slated for 30 November; the 24th Ordinary Council of Ministers meeting from 21 to 26 November; the Second meeting of the Fifth session of the Second East African Legislative Assembly from 15 to 29 November; and the Lake Tanganyika Basin Development Conference on 28-29 November 2011.
President Pierre Nkurunziza of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the EAC Summit, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda are expected to attend the Summit.
Top on the agenda of the Summit meeting is consideration of the Annual Report of the Council of Ministers for the period November 2010 to November 2011. Others are; consideration of a report of the Council of Ministers on the proposed attainment of a Single Customs Territory; consideration of a report of the Team of Experts on fears, concerns and challenges on the Political Federation; consideration of an application by the Republic of Sudan to join the East African Community; and lastly consideration of any other business geared at deepening and widening the bloc’s integration agenda.
Change of chairmanship of the Summit is also expected to take place at the 13th Ordinary Summit meeting. The East African Court of Justice will also present to the Summit a report on its achievements during the period 2001-2011. The Heads of State will also launch the East African Community Development Strategy (2011/12-2015/16).
Several Ministers and Permanent Secretaries from the Partner States whose dockets relate in any way to the regional integration issues, Heads of EAC Organs and Institutions, EAC Observer Organizations as well as officials from the EAC Secretariat are expected to attend the Council of Ministers Meeting scheduled to run from 21 to 26 November 2011 at the Hotel Source du Nil in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The Council will deliberate on a wide range of matters and adopt several policies and directives geared at enhancing and strengthening the regional integration and development process.
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) resumes business this week by holding its plenary in Bujumbura, Burundi. The plenary which takes place from 15 November to 29 November 2011 is the Second meeting of the Fifth session of the Second Assembly.
The Plenary shall also be interspersed with activities marking the 10th Anniversary celebrations of EALA. They include the sixth Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminar, known as the Nanyuki Series and the Inter-Parliamentary Soccer tournament. The theme of the Nanyuki series which takes place on 28-29 November 2011 is the “Role of the Legislature in achieving a Political Federation”.
First-ever Lake Tanganyika Basin Development Conference
The first-ever Lake Tanganyika Basin Development Conference in the context of the East African Community is taking place on 28-29 November 2011 in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Themed Unlocking the Overflowing Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Basin, the two-day event is meant to harness the potential for trade, investment and socio-economic development in Lake Tanganyika Basin.
The conference is expected to showcase investments opportunities in the Lake Tanganyika Basin for job creation and income generation, and improved economic performance in the region. It will also strengthen regional integration through cross border and inter-regional business partnerships between and among the local business community and international businesses.
At the same time, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), EAC’s partner in training media in regional integration reporting is seizing the opportunity of the several events taking place in Bujumbura to conduct advanced practical training for senior journalists in the region. Three journalists from each of the five Partner States have been facilitated by GIZ to attend the training programme running from 23 November to 3 December 2011.
The training aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of the concept of regional integration and of the Organs, Institutions and policies of the EAC. Key officials from EAC Organs and Institutions including the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon Abdirahin H. Abdi and the EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera have been invited to make presentations and participate in interactive sessions.
Accreditation information for journalists intending to travel to Bujumbura, Burundi to cover these events will be communicated through this medium and on the EAC website (www.eac.int) during the week ending 18 November 2011.
SOURCE
East African Community (EAC)
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