The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, chaired several meetings to discuss the reports on African Union's (AU) activities during the second day of the 35th session of the AU's Executive Council, currently held in Niger's capital, Niamey. The meeting focused on the discussion of the African Ministerial Committee on the African Candidates in the International System's report to follow up on the implementation of previous African summits in supporting the continent's candidates for international posts. He also discussed the progress report of the Ministerial Committee on the ratification of various legal instruments issued by the Organisation of African Unity and the AU and the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Development Agenda 2063. The meetings also addressed the report of the high representative of the AU on its financing and the Peace Fund on the results of regional consultations on the evaluation of the Peace Fund. The meetings also witnessed discussions over the preparations for the special AU summit which will be held on July 7, and to prepare for the launch of the operational phase of the Convention on the African Continental Free Trade, which is the first coordination meeting between the AU and the Regional Economic Communities. The Convention on the African Continental Free Trade will be held on 8 July. Speaking at the 35th session of the AU's Executive Council, Shoukry said the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area will open new horizons for integration and development in the African continent. Egypt's Foreign Minister highlighted the need to upgrade the infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors in Africa. Shoukry also emphasised the importance of promoting peace and security in the African continent through the "Silencing of the Guns" initiative, which calls on all warring parties in various African countries to stop the bloodshed of fighting. Shoukry headed for Niamey on Wednesday to preside over the preparatory meetings of the 12th Extraordinary Summit of the AU in light of Egypt's chairmanship. The summit will witness the launch of African Continental Free Trade Area after completing the number of the required endorsements, which are 22.
