United Nations, New York - Supported by UNFPA, the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC) hosted a preparatory meeting of African Union Member State Representatives in New York ahead of the 51st Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) under the theme “Sustainable Cities, Human Mobility and International Migration”.

The meeting was an opportunity for open dialogue within African Union Member States on the theme of the 51st CPD. The AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Her Excellency Mrs. Amira Elfadil, Commissioner for Social Affairs, facilitated the meeting. The Commissioner provided an overview of the progress that the AUC was making towards ensuring that African Cities become sustainable and with regards to migration on the continent, calling for enhanced coordination amongst Member States.

The commissioner underscored the importance of Agenda 2063, encouraging member states to make use of the strategy as a guiding document for the continent. Noting the issue of communication between New York and Addis Ababa, H.E. Mrs. Amira Elfadil called for smoother and continuous flow of information between the two centers and committed the Commission to do better in sharing information on the work of the Union.

As part of the meeting, UNFPA briefed delegates on the ongoing preparations for the reviews of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development (AADPD +5).