The Prime Minister attended the Pan-Africanism Forum prepared by the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX.), on the occasion of the AU Summit. He stressed the need for Pan-Africanism to flourish as an idea of cooperative integration, global competitiveness & peaceful coexistence.

Addressing the Forum, PM Abiy said “AFLEX. is a recently established premier institution for leadership training, research and policy advise. This vast campus and state of the art facility is envisioned to host Africans from all corners of the continent, who will network, ideate and deliberate upon the direction and destiny of our beloved Africa.”

“We envision it to be where African leaders, academics and professionals gather to exchange ideas, make decisions and set a continental agenda. It will also serve as an incubator of future leaders where three generations of exiting, existing and emerging leaders can learn from one another. Hence, the establishment of this academy is a testimony of Ethiopia’s commitment to sustaining the richness of Pan-Africanism”, he underlined.

The Premier added that “…At the dawn of a New Year, two momentous occasions loom large in 2023 for Africans. Firstly, this year marks the 60′” anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity. And secondly, we also observe the 10th year anniversary of the launching of Agenda 2063. These two milestones capture the spirit of today’s Forum: celebrating the past — envisioning the future.

As we reflect on our past journey of many achievements and set-backs, and as we navigate a changing world, it is imperative we also dream and define the decades that lie ahead of us. Hence, Reinvigorating Pan-Africanism for a Changing World is a critical assignment we must take up In our aspiration to articulate and elevate our African Union.”

PM Abiy stressed that “reinvigorating and recalibrating Pan-Africanism requires us to disrupt the status quo and leap into the future. Potentials need to change into products. Our minds need to transform our lands. We need to create dean and green environments.”

“Pan Africanism should flourish as an idea of cooperative integration, global competitiveness, and peaceful coexistence. African youth and women should share their due space in leadership and development”, he further underscored.

“We cannot let constructed divides, geographic boundaries and political ideologies hijack our Pan-African ideals. The crisis in global leadership calls for Africans to step up collectively and think beyond our confines.

The changing world and its yet to be defined order calls for a new brand of leaders that are agenda setters, creative thinkers and solution makers. This is an academy that will raise and shape such African leaders. And such forums are the necessary platform to cultivate a habit of dialoguing into the future.”

On the other hand, guest speakers Prof. Kehinde Andrews and Dr. Adefires Worku made presentations on Pan-Africanism and the Green Legacy Initiative, respectively, while focusing on their perennial importance to the ever-growing integration and resilience of Africa.

The forum was attended by several Heads of State and Government including Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, President of Burundi, SE Evariste Ndayishimiye, and President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. the forum came to an end with a tree-planting ceremony by the Heads of State and Government on the premises of AFLEX.