DECISION ON THE REPORT OF THE AU COMMISSION ON THE
OPERATIONALIZATION OF AFRICA CDC
Doc. EX.CL/1286(XXXIX)
The Executive Council,
1. TAKES NOTE and WELCOMES the report on Operationalization of Africa CDC, taking into account the observations and requests for clarification made by Member States;
2. RECALLS Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.499(XXII) on the Establishment of the Africa CDC, as well as EX.CL/Dec.913(XXVIII), 1106(XXXVII) and EX.CL/Dec. 1110(XXXVIII) on the Operationalization of Africa CDC;
3. EXTENDS its appreciation to Africa CDC for continuing to effectively coordinate the continental response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including guiding the vaccination rollout in Africa;
4. COMMENDS the African Union Commission for establishing a two-step approach to address the operationalization of Africa CDC by separating the administrative approach from other aspects that may require amendments to the Statute;
5. REQUESTS the Commission to implement Executive Council Decision EX.CL.Dec.970(XXXI) for “0.5% of the Union’s operational budget be allocated to the Africa CDC for disease surveillance, detection and response as a reserve fund to provide additional predictability to the funding of Africa CDC” in the future budget of the Union;
6. FURTHER REQUESTS the Commission to follow due process and present a report on implementation of Phase I and Phase II on the Operationalization of Africa CDC, including the financial, structural and legal implications, to the relevant Subcommittees of the PRC and STCs before submission to the 40th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council for consideration and recommendation to the 35th Session of the Assembly; and
7. STRESSES the need for coordination between Africa CDC, Africa Medicines Agency (AMA) and the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS);
8. REQUESTS the Commission to prepare a legal opinion on Article 6 of the Africa CDC Statute;
9. DECIDES to remain seized on this matter.