"Africa Day is celebrated every year under a different theme to reflect the totality of African aspirations on various issues. This year`s theme is `Boosting Intra-African Trade`, which we think is in line with Africa`s rapid economic growth and its quest for sustainable development," said Zimbabwe`s Ambassador to Indonesia and Dean of African Ambassadors, Alice Mageza, at a press conference held here at ANTARA`s office in Jakarta on Friday.
The AU, previously known as the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), was established on May 25, 1963. The union was primarily created to pursue the agenda for the decolonisation of Africa and the attainment of political independence on the continent.
In July 2002, the organisation shifted its main thrust to the political, economic, social and cultural integration of the continent. The African union`s mandate is to intensify African cooperation, development and integration.
The AU currently comprises 54 member states, with South Sudan becoming its newest member state, following the declaration of its independence on July 9, 2011.
(A051)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
