Egypt’s Embassy in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, has organised an introductory promotional seminar in support of the Egyptian candidate vying for re-election as the AU’s Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.
The embassy, which serves as the country’s representative to the African Union (AU), has lent its support to Amani Abu Zeid, who is seeking another term in the role.
More than 40 African delegations accredited to the AU participated in the symposium, as well as a number of African bodies and agencies. These included the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), as well as the presidency and members of the specialised technical committee for transportation, regional infrastructure, energy, and tourism.
Ambassador Osama Abdel Khalek, Egypt’s permanent representative to the AU, confirmed that the symposium provided an opportunity for Abu Zeid to introduce the vision of developing the continent’s infrastructure. She also highlighted the successes that have been achieved during the past four years of her her tenure as Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.
The Egyptian candidate’s vision focused on a number of main aspects, including emphasis on the role of infrastructure projects in achieving development goals in the continent through the infrastructure development programme in Africa.
Other aspects included: facilitating access to various energy sources; the digital shift in various sectors; promoting transport networks; ensuring their security and sustainability; and upgrading the African tourism sector.
This came in addition to launching the unified African electricity market, in order to achieve the continent’s goal of ensuring the availability of electricity required for development through electrical interconnection networks.
She also outlined a unified African air transport market that will facilitate the movement of individuals and goods around the continent, to contribute to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Abu Zeid’s presentation was widely appreciated by those participating in the symposium, who renewed their support for the Egyptian candidate. This came in light of her experience and qualifications, as well as the technical vision and integrated strategy that she reviewed during the seminar.
It should be noted that elections for the leaderships of the AU Commission will be held during the 34th Ordinary Session of the African Summit, which will hold its meetings on 6-7 February.
