Pretoria - Youth empowerment will be the focus of the 17th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, scheduled to take place from Thursday to Friday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
President Jacob Zuma will lead the South African delegation to the session, accompanied by Collins Chabane, Minister in the Presidency.
The session will be held under the theme, "Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development."
"The theme of the summit is of particular importance to South Africa, more so as it coincides with our Youth Month celebration - a month dedicated to youth development," said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
It is exactly 35 years ago that on 16 June 1976, young students in Soweto braved all odds to fight for equal and quality education for all.
"Our participation in this regard confirms the AU's efforts in accelerating youth development through the African Youth Charter and the African Youth Decade, 2009-2018 Plan of Action," the department said.
The African Union has also adopted June 16 as the African Child Day, and it was celebrated under the theme, "All together for urgent action in favour of street children."
Executive council meetings, which will be held ahead of the actual assembly, will give Ministers of Foreign/International Relations an opportunity to deliberate on a wide range of issues, including promotion of peace and security on the continent; regional integration; development and cooperation; shared values; women as actors in sustainable development; strengthening of institutions; accelerating youth empowerment and issues relating to the African Diaspora.
The 24th New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee will be held on Wednesday at Heads of State and Government level.
South Africa is involved in the Conference of Africa Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), which will take place in the margins of the summit.
Given the importance which South Africa attaches to the work of CAHOSCC, especially in the run up to COP17/CMP7, the President will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Nkoana-Mashabane, in her capacity as incoming President of the COP17/CMP7.
The President and the ministers are expected to return to South Africa on 1 July.
