Communiqué issued at the end of the second meeting of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) panel of eminent persons (APR panel) held at Hilton Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa, 3 - 4 October 2003

The Second Meeting of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Panel of Eminent Persons (APR Panel) hosted by the NEPAD Secretariat, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, during 3 and 4 October 2003. Ms. Marie-Angelique Savané chaired the meeting. The first meeting was held on 27 July 2003 , in Cape Town , South Africa , during which the Panel had a courtesy visit from President Mbeki.
All the seven Members of the APR Panel, were present:
1. Prof. Adebayo Adedeji
2. Amb. Bethuel Kiplagat
3. Dr. Graça Machel
4. Mr. Mourad Medelci
5. Dr. Dorothy Njeuma
6. Dr. Chris Stals
7. Ms. Marie-Angelique Savané
In Attendance were:
1. Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, Chairperson of the NEPAD Steering Committee and Executive Head of the NEPAD Secretariat;
2. Dr. Kerfalla Yansane, APRM Consultant tasked by the APR Panel to lead the operational support for the implementation of the APRM for the next six months during which the Executive Director for the APR Secretariat will be recruited and will come on board; and
3. Mr. Smunda Mokoena, Deputy Director-General and Member of the NEPAD Steering Committee.
In the evening of 3 October 2003 , Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu hosted a Gala Dinner in honour of the APR Panel. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa was the Guest Speaker. In her address, she congratulated the APR Panel Members for accepting to serve the continent in a very challenging assignment.
The Minister commented on recent global events especially the recent deadlocks in multilateralism epitomized by the failure to reach agreement in Cancun , and thus emphasized the need for developing countries to speak with one voice. She stated that the APR Panel could always count on the support of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, and following the Maputo Summit Decision on the integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes, South Africa is ready to speedily conclude a host agreement with the AU Commission for the NEPAD Secretariat to be the Commission's Office in South Africa, once approached by the Commission. She further underscored that South Africa will meet its financial obligations to the African Union, NEPAD and the APRM. She reiterated that South Africa is ready to be one of the first countries to be reviewed, if the APR Panel so wishes.
On the first day of the APR Panel meeting, the NEPAD Secretariat briefed and updated the Panel on the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa 's Development (NEPAD), the strategic framework and socio-economic development programme of the African Union (AU). The APR Panel was also briefed of steps taken by H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of NEPAD to invite all Member States of the African Union to accede to the APRM.
On the second day, the APR Panel deliberated and adopted the following:
1. the rules of procedure of the APR Panel;
2. the work programme for the next twelve months;
3. the structure and budget of the APR Secretariat;
4. the recruitment strategy for the Executive Director of the APR Secretariat;
5. Guidelines for Country Preparations for and Participation in the APRM; and
6. Principles of designing and further developing detailed criteria and indicators.
The APR Panel requested that steps be taken to further develop detailed criteria and indicators that should be appropriate to the context of participating countries in all the four areas of focus of the APRM.
The APR Panel discussed the status of country preparedness for review by all sixteen countries that have acceded to the APRM with great attention. In this regard. the Panel emphasized the need to develop capacity to provide assistance to countries as may be required.
The APR Panel resolved to hold its next meeting in Abuja , Nigeria , from 14 to 15 November 2003 , on the occasion of the forthcoming meeting of the Committee of Participating Heads of State and Government of the APRM (APR Forum) scheduled for 15 November 2003 . The APR Panel will report to the APR Forum of progress on the implementation of the APRM to date. The official launching of the country review process will take place during these meetings.
The APR Panel expressed its gratitude to Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa for taking time off her busy schedule to meet with them and address the guests at the Gala Dinner. The Panel also registered its appreciation to the NEPAD Secretariat for the cordial hospitality and support.

Issued in Johannesburg , South Africa , 4 October 2003 .