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1st anniversary of the African Union

Very early on, African countries became aware of the need to adapt the Organization of African Unity, born in 1963, to the new requirements dictated by the profound changes occurring on the international scene. For this, the Member States have decided to set up a new pan-African organization that better meets this adaptation imperative. Several stages preceded the establishment of the new Union: from the adoption of the 'Sirte Declaration', Libya 1999, establishing the Union, to the last OAU summit, in July 2002 in Durban, South Africa, with the adoption of the internal regulations. In July 2002, the first summit of the African Union, held in Durban, was marked by the adoption of the Protocol establishing the Peace and Security Council by the heads of state. The latter, while confirming the principles and ideals enshrined in the OAU Charter, reiterated their attachment to the universal principles of democracy and respect for human rights. - Based on these principles, the AU has set itself the following objectives: - Achieve greater unity among African peoples; - Defend the sovereignty of Member States; - Promote peace in the continent; - Create the conditions enabling the continent to play its role in the global economy; - Promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels; - Promote and defend common African positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples. Alongside these efforts, Member States have endeavored to consolidate the foundations of this Union by establishing the bodies and institutions provided for in the Constitutive Act, including: the Pan-African Parliament (whose protocol was adopted in March 2001), the Court of Justice, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, the specialized technical committees and the financial institutions.