Unanimously, Maat Heads the Interdependent Programs Sector in the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union

During the activities of forming the 4th ECOSOCC General Assembly (AU- ECOSOC), elections were held for the heads of sectors, and Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights won the presidency of the “interdependent programs Sector” with the unanimous votes of the General Assembly held in Nairobi, Kenya from 6-9 December 2022.

Ayman Okeil, the international human rights expert, took the oath before the members of the General Assembly, in his capacity as a newly elected head of the interdependent programs Sector concerned with international cooperation and partnerships, and cooperation with various sectors within the ECOSOC on issues relevant to sustainable development, human rights, among others.

Okeil affirmed the respect and promotion of the principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and stressed the relentless strive to work in the service of the African people, in order to achieve the 2063 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Africa.

Okeil also congratulated the new head of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, Mr. Khaled Boudali, and the heads of other sectors and the General Secretariat, pledging to work within a framework of cooperation and seriousness, in order to best serve the interests of the African continent.

Appointing Maat for this role comes within the framework of its ongoing endeavors to improve human rights and promote sustainable development. In addition, it is an extension of its path towards achieving justice at the level of the African continent, being the North Africa coordinator at the NGOs Major group in Africa of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and as an observer member in the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

It is worth noting that Maat represents the Egyptian civil society in the General Assembly for 4 years, from December 2022 to December 2026, which is the highest decision and policy-making body in the ECOSOC.