ESTI COMMISSIONER MEETS ALGERIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON 24 MAY 2022
On the margins of his working visit to the Pan African University of Water and Energy Sciences including Climate Change (PAUWES), the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, H.E. Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, was received in audience by members of the Algerian government. The first audience was granted to him by the Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, on 24 May 2022.
A seasoned diplomat, recognised continent-wide as a fine negotiator, given his long experience as a mediator in various African conflicts; having also served as the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, H.E. Lamamra is often described as a lover of Africa.
He supported the candidacy of Prof. Mohammed Belhocine at the Executive Council of the African Union and saw the birth of the Pan-African University project, for which he was instrumental in the implementation, particularly in the selection of the North African hub for which he opted for Algeria.
H.E. Lamamra is therefore well acquainted with the African Union and the Pan-African University and it was a great pleasure for Commissioner Belhocine to meet him. During the audience, the Commissioner explained the purpose of his visit to Algeria and his mission in general, which was to take stock of all the PAU institutes in order to improve their functioning with a view to achieving the objectives set out in the African Union's Agenda 2063.
The Commissioner noted the specificity of the Pan-African University as a crucible of African unity. He said it was a source of pride for the whole continent, the melting pot of future African leaders.
In addition to the various visits to the institutes, the Commissioner also reported on meetings in the various countries visited, with members of government under his portfolio of education, science, technology and innovation.
Acknowledging Algeria's support for the establishment of PAUWES, he thanked the Algerian government for all the facilities provided to students and staff working at PAUWES. He also informed the Minister of the granting of an architectural complex to PAUWES by the Algerian government through the host institute, University Abou Bekr Belkaïd of Tlemcen.
The two interlocutors also discussed issues related to the legal status of PAUWES and in particular, issues relating to privileges and immunities of the institute's staff. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who reaffirmed his full support to PAUWES, instructed his team to work in collaboration with the Director of PAUWES, Prof. Zerga, in order to speed up the implementation of the measures to be taken in this regard.