HIGH-LEVEL SIDE EVENT TO COMMEMORATE THE EAC’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Leveraging Digital Transformation to Fast-Track Integration

INTRODUCTION

The East African Community (EAC) is celebrating 25 years of remarkable progress since its revival under the overarching theme, "EAC@25: Promoting Trade, Sustainable Development and Peace & Security for Improved Livelihoods". The theme underscores the EAC’s achievements and its commitment to fostering regional integration, enhancing socio-economic development, and ensuring peace and security in the region. The 25^th Anniversary provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on the EAC's achievements, highlight challenges and chart the way forward for the integration process in East Africa.

As the EAC moves into the future, digital transformation is recognised as a critical enabler across all its strategic areas, contributing to the promotion of trade, peace and security, sustainable development. By harnessing emerging technologies and digital connectivity, the EAC can build a resilient, competitive, and secure region, fully aligned with the EAC Vision 2050 and African Union's Agenda 2063.

THE HIGH-LEVEL SIDE EVENT

Convened under the sub-theme EAC@25: A Reflective Journey and Future Aspirations, the overall objective of the High-Level Side Event is to showcase the EAC’s 25-year journey in promoting trade, sustainable development, and peace and security, and the role of Digital Transformation as a key enabler of regional integration towards realising EAC Vision 2050.

The High-Level Side Event will focus on three (3) key thematic areas: Promoting Trade, Digital Transformation, and Peace and Security. In trade, the EAC has made strides with initiatives like the Single Customs Territory and One Stop Border Posts, which streamline trade processes, reduce delays, and support market access across borders. These efforts align with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to make the region a competitive economic bloc. In digital transformation, the focus is on creating efficient, accessible cross-border payment systems that reduce transaction costs and enhance interoperability, benefiting small and medium enterprises and advancing financial inclusion. For peace and security, digital tools are seen as vital for enhancing real-time data sharing and collaboration, empowering EAC nations to address security threats like terrorism and cybercrime effectively.

Specifically, the High-Level Side Event will:

Facilitate discussions among key stakeholders on the cross-border trade achievements, challenges and what should be done to ensure a level playing field for enhanced cross border trading in the EAC
Showcase the role of digital transformation in addressing the current limitations of cross-border payment systems and how innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, mobile money, and digital currencies can play a crucial role in enhancing financial inclusion and economic integration in the EAC region; and
Reflect on the critical role of peace and security for sustainable economic and social integration in the EAC region.

STRUCTURE OF THE HIGH-LEVEL SIDE EVENT

The High-Level Side Event is planned for the 29^th November, 2024 and will constitute a Technical/Ministerial session and a Heads of State session. The Technical session will feature a setting the context presentation on the milestones and achievements in the EAC’s 25-year journey from an expert in East African Community (EAC) integration. Following this, participants will engage in parallel/break-away discussions on key issues related to the theme. Each thematic discussion will develop solutions and resolutions to be presented during the plenary session of the Technical/Ministerial session. The outcomes from the Technical/Ministerial session will be reported to the Heads of State session where it is anticipated that the Heads of State will further discuss these emerging issues and propose additional solutions.

To High-Level Side Event will also incorporate an exhibition on the achievements of the Community over the past 25 years, showcasing the Community’s projects, programmes and Partners among others.

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

08.00 - 08.30hrs: Arrival and Registration

TECHNICAL/MINISTERIAL SESSION

08.30 - 09.00hrs: Opening Session

09.00 - 09.45hrs: Opening Remarks

09.45 - 10.15hrs: Keynote Address

10.15 - 10.45hrs: Reflections on the Keynote Address by Private Sector, Civil Society, EALA, EACJ

11.00 – 12.30hrs: Breakout Sessions/Thematic Areas:

Session A: Promoting Trade in the EAC Region
The session will highlight progress in boosting intra-regional trade through the EAC’s Customs Union and Common Market, which have reduced trade barriers and modernized customs. It will also explore strategies to address challenges and align EAC goals with the AfCFTA and other regional trade blocs for greater competitiveness

Session B: Digital Transformation
The session will address how digital transformation can overcome challenges in cross-border payment systems, enhancing financial inclusion and economic integration. It will explore the role of innovative technologies like AI, mobile money, and digital currencies in advancing these goals across the EAC region

Session C: Enhancing Peace and Security in the Region
The session will explore the EAC's crucial role in peace-building and conflict resolution, focusing on enhancing cross-border security collaboration against threats like terrorism and human trafficking. It will also highlight the contributions of youth and women in peace efforts and examine ways to strengthen regional security through digital and technological innovations

12.30 - 13.30hrs: Plenary Session
Reporting back by Thematic/Breakout sessions
Discussion on the way forward for the integration process and takeaways from the Technical Session
Endorsement of Outcomes by Ministers

13.30 - 14.30hrs: Lunch Break

SESSION OF THE HEADS OF STATE

14.30 - 14.40hrs: EAC Anthem | Prayer (1 Min short prayers Muslim & Christian)

14.40 - 14.50hrs: Welcoming Remarks by the Secretary General

14.50 - 15.15hrs: Remarks by the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and Presentations of Outcomes from Discussions of the High-Level Side Event to the Heads of State

15.15 - 16.30hrs: Interactive Session with Heads of State

16.30 - 16.40hrs: Vote of Thanks

16.40 - 17:00hrs: Heads of State Group Photo

17.00 - 17.05hrs: EAC Anthem

17.05 - 18.00hrs: 25th Anniversary pre-celebration

18.00hrs: Departure at Leisure

DATE AND VENUE

The High-Level Side Event is scheduled for 29th November, 2024. The venue for this event will be Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.

KEY CONTACTS

For any inquiries or assistance related to the High-Level Side Event, please refer to our key contacts below:

Mr. Florian Mutabazi – +255 753 288428 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr. Simon Owaka – +255 768 552087 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To amplify the discussions and extend the reach of this High-Level Side Event, we encourage participants and audiences to join the conversation online using our official hashtags. By using #EACat25, #OnePeopleOneDestiny, and #EACBoderless, you can share insights, key takeaways, and moments from the event. These hashtags help to unite voices across platforms, creating a vibrant dialogue on the achievements, aspirations, and future goals of the East African Community as we celebrate 25 years of impactful regional integration.