Overview
The APP was originally formed as a vehicle to maintain a focus on the commitments to Africa made by the international community in the wake of the Gleneagles G8 Summit and of the Commission for Africa Report in 2007. Under the chairmanship of Kofi Annan, it is paying equal attention to the implementation of Africa's commitments as set out in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and landmark international agreements. In 2008, a secretariat was established in Geneva.
Panel members are Kofi Annan, Michel Camdessus, Peter Eigen, Bob Geldof, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Graça Machel, Linah Mohohlo, Robert Rubin, Tidjane Thiam and Muhammad Yunus. A Geneva-based Secretariat supports the Panel in three main areas: research and policy; advocacy and communication; and preparation of APP core products, including the annual Africa Progress Report; a fortnightly news bulletin; and policy briefs on timely issues. The Secretariat is headed by Caroline Kende-Robb.
The Panel continually assesses opportunities and threats to Africa’s development, including how far commitments to and from Africa are being met. They use their judgment and experience to highlight pressing concerns, inspire honest debate amongst leaders and civil society, help mobilise resources and prompt effective action.
Read more about this topic: Africa Progress Panel