18 June 2024, Pretoria, South Africa
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) CEO, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, along with close collaborators from the Continental Secretariat, paid a strategic courtesy visit to His Excellency Mr. Gjermund Saether, the Ambassador of Norway to the Republic of South Africa, at the Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria. This engagement aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the APRM and Norway, focusing on advancing APRM initiatives and leveraging Norway's expertise in democratic governance, socio-economic development, and regional integration.
During the meeting, Ambassador Rose Quatre emphasized the importance of harnessing shared values and Norway’s extensive resources and expertise. This initiative is a component of APRM broader strategy to engage with international stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive and inclusive support for its strategic plan. By aligning their efforts, both parties can significantly enhance APRM capacity to execute its mandate effectively.
Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre highlighted ongoing strategic discussions within APRM aimed at maximizing its impact and enhancing support from both existing and new partners. She referenced recent reviews in countries that have experienced unconstitutional changes of government, underscoring APRM support for nations undergoing political transitions.
While countries remain eager to undergo the APRM review process, the challenge however lies in mobilizing partners and ensuring active participation from non-state actors, including the private sector in the implementation phase. The CEO also stressed the importance of building robust relationships with European agencies, suggesting that the partnership with Norway could open avenues for additional support and funding from other Norwegian entities. This partnership is envisioned as the beginning of a broader network between Norway and APRM.
The discussion also covered the forthcoming report on the APRM impact over the past 20 years, which Ambassador Saether expressed keen interest in, once finalized. He commended APRM comprehensive governance reports and its growing membership of 44 states, posing critical questions about APRM proactive engagement on democracy and governance challenges across the continent. Ambassador Saether assured the CEO, Ambassador Rose Quatre, that he would advocate for APRM funding to the Norwegian Government.
The APRM remains committed to fostering international partnerships to advance its mission of promoting governance, socio-economic development, and peer learning across Africa.
