THE ASSEMBLY OF THE AFRICAN UNION 64. We, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union assembled for the 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union in January 2015, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 65. Have taken note of the aspirations and determination of the African people expressed above, reiterate our full appreciation and commitment to these aspirations; 66. Re-affirm that Agenda 2063 builds on past achievements and challenges and takes into account the continental and global context and trends in which Africa is realizing its transformation, including: a. The Pan African vision and project, which guided struggles of African people and their descendants against slavery, colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination; the commitment of the founders of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to self-determination, integration, solidarity and unity; and which today forms the backdrop for Africa’s renaissance, transformation and integration. b. An African turning point, starting at the turn of the millennium with our renewed determination to end wars and conflicts, to build shared prosperity, to integrate, to build responsive and democratic governance and to end the continent’s marginalization through the transformation of the OAU into the African Union and the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Thus Africa, over the last decade has experienced sustained levels of growth, greater peace and stability and positive movements on a number of human development indicators. We recognise that sustaining this path and pace, though positive, is not sufficient for Africa to catch up, hence the need for radical transformation at all levels and in all spheres. Africa must therefore, consolidate the positive turn around, using the opportunities of demographics, natural resources, urbanization, technology and trade as a springboard to ensure its transformation and renaissance to meet the people’s aspirations. c. Lessons from global developmental experiences, the significant advances by countries of the South to lift huge sections of their populations out of poverty, improve incomes and catalyse economic and social transformation. We are part of the global drive through the United Nations and other multilateral organisations to find multi-lateral approaches to humanity’s most pressing concerns including human security and peace, the eradication of poverty, 11