(A) Mandate

The Afro-Arab Cooperation Department is responsible for initiating, facilitating, coordinating, and following up the cooperation between the African Union and the League of Arab States in the areas of politics and diplomacy, trade, economy and finance; culture, education and information. The Department is also responsible for handling the Special Emergency Assistance Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa. The objective of the Fund is to provide emergency assistance to African countries affected by drought and/or famine and provide immediate financial and material assistance in support of national activities and programs which are designed to reduce the impact of drought and/or famine in Africa.

(B) Core Activities

Afro-Arab Cooperation

1. Ensure the proper co-ordination, monitoring and implementation of the Cairo Declaration and the Program of Action on Afro-Arab Cooperation.
2. Devise strategies aimed at promoting/facilitating the cooperation between the African and Arab Countries.
3. Analyze, facilitate and coordinate the cooperation between the African and Arab Countries and forwarding recommendations to the policy makers on measures to be taken to further enhance the cooperation.
4. Initiate studies, researches etc.. on matters relating to the Afro-Arab Cooperation.
5. Organize and facilitate meetings of the Policy Organs of the Afro-Arab Cooperation established by the Cairo Summit.
6. Coordinate the implementation and/or follow up the decisions taken by the Commission.
7. In collaboration with the League of Arab States, implement Afro-Arab joint projects (Afro-Arab Trade Fair, Afro-Arab Business week and Afro-Arab Cultural Institute)
8. Maintain close contacts with the Secretariat of the League of Arab States and exchange information on matters of mutual interest.
9. Liaise, network and establish contacts with other Departments of the Commission, organs and civil society involved in the implementation of Afro-Arab projects.
Special Emergency Assistance Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa (SEAF)
10. Appraise requests submitted by Member States for assistance from the Fund and follow up implementation of projects financed by the Fund,
11. Maintain contacts with the African Development Bank on the financial management of the Fund,
12. Prepare reports on the performance of the Fund and organize and serve the meetings of the Policy Committee of the Fund.

(C) Afro-Arab Projects

1. Afro-Arab Trade Fairs
2. Afro-Arab Business Weeks,
3. Afro-Arab Investment Forums;
4. Afro-Arab Cultural Institute.

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