Annual Conference of the Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments Held at Pan-African Parliament

The 5th Annual Conference of the Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments (ASGAP) took place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) headquarters in Midrand, South Africa. This significant gathering aimed to bridge the legislative efforts of national parliaments across Africa with the broader goals of the continental legislature, the PAP, while providing support for national parliamentarians serving in dual capacities as members of PAP. The event was hosted by Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, Clerk of the Pan-African Parliament, and drew participation from clerks and secretaries-general of national parliaments across the African Union (AU) member states.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Khumalo highlighted the critical role of the Conference in aligning the strategic goals of national parliaments with those of the AU, particularly in the context of the Agenda 2063 2nd Ten-Year Implementation Plan. This ambitious agenda envisions transforming Africa into a global power by 2063, focusing on sustainable development, democratic governance, and economic integration. Ms. Khumalo emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation between the Pan-African Parliament, national parliaments, and regional legislative bodies, identifying common areas of collaboration to achieve effective and lasting results.

In her opening speech, the Third Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament Honourable Lúcia Maria Mendes Gonçalves dos Passos  urged all African nations and legislatures to join the Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments (ASGAP), as a strategic move to achieve the ambitious goals of Agenda 2063.

Key Themes: Enhancing Collaboration for Continental Progress

The Conference centered on deepening legislative collaboration between national parliaments and PAP, with the goal of reinforcing continental objectives like the ratification of AU treaties, the domestication of AU policies, and the alignment of national laws with the broader vision of Agenda 2063. Through this collective effort, national parliaments can contribute to the legislative frameworks needed for AU decisions to be implemented effectively, while also ensuring that PAP’s work amplifies the voices of member states at a continental level.

One of the core objectives was to address the gap between national and continental legislative priorities, ensuring that decisions made at the AU level are swiftly integrated into national frameworks. This, according to participants, will help ensure that AU treaties and policies translate into concrete outcomes for African citizens, reinforcing governance, economic development, and regional peace and security.

Declaration of the Annual Meeting of Clerks of National Parliaments

The conference concluded with a formal declaration, outlining several key areas of action and collaboration between PAP and the national parliaments of AU member states. The declaration reaffirmed the commitment of the attending clerks and secretaries-general to support the Pan-African Parliament’s mandate and work towards the ratification and implementation of AU treaties and policies. Highlights from the declaration include:

1. Legislative and Policy Collaboration:
• Accelerating the ratification and domestication of AU treaties.
• Promoting the adoption of PAP Model Laws within national legislative frameworks.
• Enhancing the role of national parliaments in addressing emerging issues such as intra-African trade, governance, human rights, and security.
• Advocating for increased national resources for PAP to fulfill its mandate.
2. Information Sharing and Coordination:
• Establishing a framework for communication between PAP and national parliaments.
• Standardizing the reporting of PAP sessions and AU Summit outcomes to national parliaments to facilitate legislative action.
• Encouraging the use of digital tools to share information and strengthen cooperation.
3. Strengthening Parliamentary Capacity:
• Launching staff exchange programs between national parliaments and PAP.
• Involving PAP in the orientation of newly elected MPs to enhance their understanding of continental priorities.
• Facilitating staff secondments from national parliaments to PAP to boost its capacity.
4. Enhancing Media, Communication, and Visibility:
• Promoting greater visibility of PAP’s work within national parliaments through media collaboration.
• Including media representatives in national parliamentary delegations to PAP sessions.
• Facilitating greater public access to PAP’s legislative activities through digital platforms.
5. Commitment to Inter-Parliamentary Solidarity:
• Joint advocacy for the independence and effectiveness of national and continental parliaments.
• Hosting solidarity events and issuing joint statements on critical continental matters.

Moving Forward: A Unified Legislative Vision for Africa

The 2024 ASGAP Annual Conference marked a pivotal moment in strengthening the relationship between national parliaments and the Pan-African Parliament, creating a more unified and effective legislative structure to advance the goals of the African Union. With the ratification and domestication of AU treaties identified as key priorities, the conference’s outcomes promise to enhance Africa’s ability to achieve the ambitious targets set out in Agenda 2063.

By reaffirming their commitment to collaborative legislative processes, the clerks and secretaries-general of Africa’s national parliaments and PAP have laid the groundwork for a more interconnected and coordinated continental legislative body. This united effort aims to ensure that Africa's legislative agenda keeps pace with its dynamic political, economic, and social landscape. With enhanced capacity, streamlined communication, and shared commitment, the partnership between national parliaments and PAP is set to drive Africa closer to its continental goals.

The Pan-African Parliament and the national parliaments of AU member states are now poised to play a leading role in shaping Africa’s future, contributing meaningfully to peace, security, governance, and prosperity across the continent.