New York, 20 September 2024 – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat, under the leadership of Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, Chief Executive Officer, successfully hosted three high-profile side events focused on key governance, youth empowerment, and financial issues impacting Africa. These events brought together leading experts, African government officials, and international stakeholders, reinforcing the APRM’s role in the global governance discourse.
The first high-level side Event co-organised with the Africa Governance Institute (AGI) and TrustAfrica addressed the fundamental question: “Governance Challenges in Africa: Are We Winning the Battle?” The event was held at the UN Millennium Hotel and explored Africa’s role in global governance and the continent’s efforts to overcome governance challenges. It highlighted the need for stronger multilateralism and innovative approaches to governance and peace across the continent.
The second event on “Building Foresight Competencies and Networks to Empower Youth in Africa,” featured notable speakers, including H.E. Monica Geingos, former First Lady of Namibia; H.E. Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development of Nigeria; H.E. Ms. Emma Theofelus, Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology of Namibia; APRM CEO Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre; and Ms Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, CEO of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Hosted at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria, this session emphasized the importance of equipping Africa’s youth with foresight skills and promoting youth-led initiatives for effective governance participation.
The series concluded with a High-Level Dialogue on the establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), held at the AU Permanent Mission to the United Nations, in partnership with UNECA, UNDP, and the Open Society Foundation. The dialogue gathered insights, built consensus, and forged strategic partnerships for the establishment AfCRA. Amb. Rose Quatre highlighted that “The creation of AfCRA is crucial for providing accurate, unbiased assessments of Africa’s economic risks and opportunities, addressing long-standing information asymmetry in the global financial system.”
The panel included esteemed figures such as H.E. Amb. Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry at the African Union Commission; H.E. Hassatou Diop N'Sele, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the African Development Bank; H.E. Montfort Mlachila, Deputy Director of the African Department at the IMF; and H.E. Chileshe Kapwepwe, Secretary General of COMESA. Each speaker offered actionable recommendations for implementing AfCRA, emphasizing the need for proactive country-level management and sovereign engagement with investors
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H.E. Amb. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of UNECA, stressed the importance of thorough preparations by African countries ahead of AfCRA’s establishment, calling for robust institutional frameworks, data collection systems, and governance mechanisms. This sentiment was echoed by H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Egypt, who underscored the critical role of data quality, credibility, and transparency for AfCRA’s success.
The APRM continues its engagement in New York, with CEO Amb. Rose Quatre participating in the Summit of the Future and related side events through 26 September 2024
