The Ministerial Retreat was chaired by Hon. Simbarashe S. Mumbengegwi, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the Executive Council, in the presence of H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commissioners, H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC. Hon. Dr Tedros Adhenon Ghebreyesus, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E Abay Weldu, President of the Regional Authority of Tigray, representatives from AU Organs, the UNECA, NEPAD, RECs AfDB, AU Commissioners , the AUC Secretary General, and the Legal Counsel of the AUC, and invited guests. President Weldu welcomed the participants in the city of Mekelle and presented the historical background of the region which he qualified as courageous and privileged population who inherited the most archeological objects and sites of humanity. He said the agenda of this retreat has a significant meaning to the Tigray tribe/people of Ethiopia. He appreciated the vision of the Union aimed at creatiing an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa”.In her opening remarks, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, AUC Chairperson, recalled the first retreat in the city of Ethiopia Bahir Dar in 2014, where she introduced the Dream of the African People in “the e-mail from the future”, among others. “Two years ago, as we concluded the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU, we met as in retreat in the city of Bahir Dar, to discuss the core responsibilities of this important organ, the Executive Council. It was then when I spoke about our dream of the Africa we want, in the e-mail from the future.Two years later, as we gather here in Mekelle, Tigray region we can report that we have made some headway. As discussed at this retreat, we now have Agenda 2063 as our clarion call for action, supported by all sections of the African society”, stated the AUC Chairperson.
