Ambassador Lapenn Joins AU World AIDS Day Commemoration

Ambassador Lapenn joined Mrs. Monica Geingos, The First Lady of Namibia; AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma; and Acting Africa CDC Director Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma for the African Union’s World AIDS Day Commemoration on November 30, 2022. Remarks as drafted First, let me acknowledge the AU Commission …

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DAS Campbell and African Reps to the AU Address the Need to Assist Displaced Persons in Africa

On July 28, Ambassador Lapenn hosted Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Elizabeth Campbell of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for a roundtable discussion on Africa’s migration and refugee challenges with Permanent Representatives to the African Union. Demonstrating the widespread commitment to assisting Africans affected by conflict and other causes of …

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Africa CDC, IFRC, and USAU call for equitable vaccine coverage in Africa

Addis Ababa, 23 September 2021—Today, during a high-level event on COVID-19, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the U.S. Mission to the African Union (USAU) called on partners and governments to …

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U.S. Mission to the African Union Launches Intellectual Property Rights Forum For African Creative Artists

ATTN:  U.S. Mission to the African Union Launches Intellectual Property Rights Forum   DATE: May 18, 2021 3:30pm – 6pm Ethiopia Time  LOCATION: Virtual   MEMO:  An initiative hosted by the U.S. Mission to the African Union  and the Global Startup Ecosystem (GSE) The U.S. Mission to the African Union is pleased to announce the launch of the first Intellectual Property Rights Forum …

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Remarks by Ambassador Jessye Lapenn at the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) Open Session

Jessye Lapenn U.S. Ambassador to the African Union at the African Union Peace and Security Council Open Session on Hate Crimes and Fighting Genocide Ideology in Africa April 12, 2021 (As delivered)   Distinguished Chairperson, Excellencies, and Colleagues, thank you for the opportunity to speak on this important topic, Hate Crimes and Fighting Genocide Ideology in Africa. This …

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Statement from the U.S. Mission to the African Union – Storming of the U.S. Capitol

STATEMENT FROM THE U.S. MISSION TO THE AFRICAN UNION January 8, 2021 Storming of the U.S. Capitol The United States Congress has completed its Constitutionally mandated count of the Electoral College vote and affirmed the election of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Kamala D. Harris. They will be sworn into office and a peaceful transfer …

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Statement by Ambassador Jessica Lapenn on the Commemoration of Africa Day 2020

Today, the African continent celebrates Africa Day, and as the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union (AU) and Permanent Representative to the UN Economic Commission for Africa, I am pleased and honored to commemorate this 57th edition. The AU plays a key role on the continent, and as the first dedicated non-African mission accredited to the …

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7th Annual AUC – U.S. High-Level Dialogue Joint Communique

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United States convened for the 7th Annual AUC – U.S. High-Level Dialogue, led by Ambassador David Hale, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, and Ambassador Smaїl Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, on November 15, 2019, in Washington, D.C.  The AUC and the United States reaffirmed …

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Remarks by Ambassador Jessye Lapenn at the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC)

Jessye Lapenn  U.S. Ambassador to the African Union at the African Union Peace and Security Council October 17, 2019 (As prepared for delivery)   Good morning Mr. Chairperson, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. It is my absolute honor and pleasure to address the Council today for the first time since my arrival to Addis as the U.S. …

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2019 National Day Remarks delivered by U.S. Ambassador to the African Union Mary Beth Leonard on May 7, 2019

Remarks for National Day 2019 (243rd Independence Day) “U.S. Support for Economic Integration in Africa” May 7, 2019   Excellencies, Your Excellency Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn, fellow members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – Good evening! Together with Ambassador …

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Remarks by Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard at the Second Annual U.S.-AU CVE Week

Remarks by Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard at the Second Annual U.S.-AU CVE Week African Union Commission, Addis Ababa Monday, October 29, 2018   Thank you.  Welcome to Addis, Principal Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism Alina Romanowski. Good morning, everyone.  What a fabulous crowd! It is my distinct honor to be here today to open the Second …

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Statement by Ambassador Leonard at the Open AU PSC Open Session on the Role of Women in Conflict Prevention and Peace building at the Community Level

Mr. Chairperson, distinguished panelists, excellencies, I am very grateful for the opportunity to address this session on the role of women in conflict prevention and peace building. Supporting women’s participation, voice, and empowerment in decision-making about security issues is key to achieving our shared efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability. Last year, when President …

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Remarks Delivered by Ambassador Leonard at the U.S. – AU Workshop on CVE

Ambassadors and distinguished colleagues, it is my distinct honor to be here today to kick-off fruitful discussions on ways in which the United States and the African Union can collectively work together to prevent and counter the rise of violent extremism in Africa. I would like to extend my appreciation to Director of the African …

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U.S. – AU Workshop on Countering Violent Extremisim

Building upon the existing U.S.-AU partnership in the areas of peace and security, crisis mitigation, and conflict prevention, the U.S. Mission to the African Union co-hosted a workshop with the AU Commission on preventing and countering violent extremism. The workshop highlighted the use of public diplomacy resources such as exchanges and TechCamps as successful examples …

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Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard at ISS Pre-AU Summit Seminar

Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union addressed an audience made up of participants from the diplomatic corps, international organizations, and think tanks based in Addis Ababa, on the United States partnership with the African Union, highlighting shared priorities in the area of peace and security.  Ambassador Leonard discussed in detail …

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Ambassador Leonard Remarks – African Land Forces Summit

General Phiri, General Allyn, Excellency Ghambi, Ambassadors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is my distinct honor to be in Lilongwe, Malawi to participate in the fifth African Land Forces Summit.  I would like to personally commend the Malawian Defense Forces for hosting this high level event, bringing together Land Forces Chiefs from across Africa …

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Ambassador Leonard Remarks – Launch of the State of Women’s Rights in Africa Report

Madame Chairperson, Ambassadors, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, It is my distinct honor to be here today to recognize the many advancements made to address gender inequality in Africa and reflect on what more can be done to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063 towards empowering and developing women and young girls. I would like …

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Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard’s Opening Remarks at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Dr. Desta, thank you for asking me to join the live streaming of the museum’s opening. So excited to be here; I was in Washington for several weeks this summer as I prepared for my Senate hearings and eventual arrival to become the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union.  The museum’s glorious building was already …

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Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard’s Opening Remarks at the Africa – U.S. Partnership Options to Enhance Strategic Cooperation in Challenging Environm

Distinguished colleagues, good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about the U.S. – AU partnership.  Next month, December 22, to be exact, will mark the 10thanniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Mission to the AU.  We are indeed proud to have been the first non-African Mission dedicated exclusively to …

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