“Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization Through the Empowerment of African women in Processing for an Integrated Market” Panel Discussion.

1. African Union Headquarters P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia au.int
Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 77 00 Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 78 44
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE
MEDIA ADVISORY
CELEBRATION OF AFRICA INDUSTRIALIZATION DAY (AID) 2023
WHAT: African Industrialization Day
WHEN: Monday, 20 November 2023
TIME: 1:15 - 2:15 PM (EST)
THEME: “Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization Through the
Empowerment of African women in Processing for an Integrated
Market”
WHERE: Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United
Nations, 3 Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, 305 East 47th Street, 5th
Floor, NY 10017, USA
WHO: Jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO) and the African Union (AU) Permanent
Observer Mission to the United Nations
PARTICIPANTS: The event will bring together representatives of African states,
other Member States, regional entities, and partner organizations
of the UN system supporting Africa’s sustainable development to
commemorate Africa Industrialization Day. It will consist of a few
high-level statements and a buffet lunch.
Background : In July 1989, the Organization of African Unity conducted its 25th
Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and
Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Africa Industrialization Day
was announced on November 20 during this session. Within the
framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for
Africa (1991-2000), the United Nations General Assembly, in
December 1989, proclaimed 20 November as Africa
Industrialization Day (AID) (A/RES/44/237). Since then, the
United Nations System and partners hold events on that day
throughout the world to raise awareness about the importance of

2. African Union Headquarters P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia au.int
Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 77 00 Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 78 44
Africa’s industrialization and the challenges faced by the
continent.
This year’s AID is being held under the theme of “Accelerating
Africa’s industrialization through the empowerment of
African women in processing for an integrated market” to
build more policy advocacy on the continent’s industrialization
agenda, as well as the organization of the 2nd Edition of the
African Women in Processing Summit.
The theme focuses on the critical role of women-led enterprises
in driving Africa’s industrialization through processing and value
addition, as well as the integration of African markets under the
African Continental Free Trade Area. With intra-African trade
dominated with manufactured products, there is huge potential for
women to take up more roles in manufacturing as a pathway to
the continent’s structural transformation, economic inclusion as
well as job creation.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
About the African Union:
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close
collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities
and African citizens.
The AU Vision is to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and
inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and
global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive
Commission.
About the AU Permanent Observers Mission to the UN:
The Permanent Mission of the African Union to the United Nations (AU Mission to the
UN) plays a pivotal role in representing the interests of the African Union within the
United Nations system.
The Mission advocates for African interests and concerns on a wide range of global
issues, including peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and
climate change. It works to ensure that African perspectives are considered and
integrated into UN policies and decisions.
The Mission plays a crucial role in aligning AU positions with UN agendas and

3. African Union Headquarters P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia au.int
Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 77 00 Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 78 44
initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and peacekeeping
missions.
The Mission serves as a channel for information exchange between the African Union
and the United Nations. It relays UN decisions, resolutions, and initiatives to the AU
and provides the UN with updates on AU activities and developments in Africa.
For further media inquiries, please contact:
1. Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communication
Directorate, African Union Commission | Mobile: +1 (347) 812-7195 / WhatsApp: +251911361185 | E-
mail: yamboue@africa-union.org
2. Oumou Daou Koumoue | Communications Advisor | Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union
to the United Nations | Mobile: +1 (914)316-3726 | email: koumoueo@africa-union.org
Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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