CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 03/2023

LE MONDE AFRICAN UNION
INTERVIEW
ROBERT ZISCHG
“We’re strengthening our partnerships on equal footing.“
Robert Zischg, Director of the Department for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
elucidates Austria’s endeavours in formulating a new Africa strategy and its engagement with the
African Union.
H.E. Envoy Robert Zischg serves as the Director
of the Department for Sub-Saharan Africa and the
African Union (AU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Currently, a new Africa strategy is being
developed. Can you provide more details about
this, or explain why such a strategy is
necessary at this particular time?
Africa and Europe are neighbours and natural
partners. What happens in one continent has an
impact on the other. This applies to security issues
as well as to economics, sustainability, resilience in
times of crisis, combating climate change,
addressing illegal migration, cultural matters and
more. Based on this understanding, it becomes
clear why an Austrian Africa strategy is necessary
and important. The goal is to strengthen our
partnerships on equal footing and strategically
align them with the challenges of the future.
Is the focus more on enhancing economic
relationships – for instance, in the context of
the Green Economy – or on security matters
such as migration?
The strategy will adopt a comprehensive approach,
covering a wide range of policy areas. It will
encompass the expansion of economic relations as
well as issues related to peace and security,
combating illegal migration, investments in future
generations through education and scientific
cooperation, collaboration in creating favourable
living conditions, green energy transformation and
climate change, as well as resilience and crisis
preparedness.
Are these initiatives solely Austria’s efforts?
How well do they align with the EU’s Africa
policy?
The Austrian Africa strategy is embedded within the
existing international and EU frameworks. It takes its
cues from the outcomes of the summit between the
European Union and the African Union in February
2022, particularly the action plan “A Joint Vision for
2030” and the EU’s Global Gateway investment
package for Africa. Additionally, it takes into account
the EU’s Africa-related strategies, programmes and
decisions from recent years, such as “Towards a
Comprehensive Strategy with Africa,” as well as
regional strategies for areas like the Sahel Zone or
the Horn of Africa. The Austrian Africa strategy
builds upon this European foundation and
strategically emphasises Austrian capacities and
interests.
For over 15 years, Austria has been working on
various levels to encourage the African Union
(AU) to open a representation office in Vienna.
How significant would such a step be for
Austria?
Vienna, Austria’s capital, is one of the principal
headquarters of the United Nations, alongside New
York, Geneva and Nairobi. It stands as a global hub
for the promotion of peace, security, sustainable
development, and the fight against organised
crime, drug abuse, corruption and terrorism.
Additionally, Vienna has a strong focus on
disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
The establishment of an AU office in Vienna
would not only reinforce Austria’s role as a hub of
diplomacy but would also serve the interests of
the African states themselves. Consequently,
Austria would warmly welcome the opening of an
AU office in Vienna.
What is the current status of the discussions
regarding this matter?
Discussions about the establishment of an AU
representation office in Vienna are ongoing with
both the AU itself and its African partner states.
Currently, the AU is evaluating its representation
network and intends to make decisions about new
establishments only after concluding this process.
Austria remains committed to this goal and will
consistently highlight Vienna as a potential
location.
During his visit in Accra, Chancellor Nehammer
planted a tree at the Kofi Annan Centre.
once again highlights how challenging the
AU finds it to address conflicts within the
Union and how limited its actual power is.
This is evident in cases like Mali, Burkina
Faso, Sudan, Libya and many more.
One of the West’s concerns is Africa’s
growing dependency on China. Through
the provision of favourable loans, Beijing
has created economic dependencies. Chinese
investments, especially in infrastructure
projects, have been substantial. However,
high repayments have led to the
continent becoming highly indebted today.
During the celebration of the AU’s 60th
anniversary in May, the current president,
Azali Assoumani (Comoros), critically
addressed the continent’s economic performance.
“In 2022, the overall growth did not
exceed three percent,” he criticised. At the
same time, he noted that the birth rate on
the continent remains very high. Therefore,
countries should expand social systems and
infrastructure. He added, “According to the
World Bank, 22 African countries are in a
state of emergency concerning their debts.”
It remains to be seen what results the ambitious
AU concepts like “Vision 2030” or
“Agenda 2063” will yield for the economic
and political development of the continent,
moving beyond Africa being primarily viewed
as a supplier of raw materials. Ultimately,
economic cooperation with the EU could
also help alleviate migration pressures.
However, this will require more EU initiatives
than just a multi-million-dollar refugee
deal akin to the Tunisia Agreement.
PHOTOS: BMEIA/GRUBER, EUROPEAN UNION; BKA-FOTOSERVICE; BMEIA, DRAGAN TATIC
ENTGELTLICHE EINSCHALTUNG PHOTOS: ADA, FRANZ HELMRICH, UNHCR, JUGEND EINE
WELT, AEE INTEC, WORLD BANK VINCENT TREMEAU
Combating poverty, promoting peace and protecting the environment
Combating poverty, promoting peace and protecting
the environment: These are the three
main goals of the Austrian Development Agency
(ADA). Developing answers and implementing
measures that are socially and environmentally
sustainable, efficient, and humane require government
and civil society to work together.
Austria aims to promote better life prospects in
an environment of social and political stability
through development cooperation. The Austrian
Development Agency (ADA) as the operational
unit of Austrian Development Cooperation,
together with numerous ministries, social partners,
civil society, businesses and academia,
seeks to ensure that sustainable development
works to the benefit of all people in developing
countries. ADA staff on the ground in 24 local
offices make sure that Austria’s efforts are in
line both with national development goals and
the needs of the local population, and that the
funds are put to the best possible use.
Austria is particularly committed to meeting
challenges posed by climate change, conflicts,
and the repercussions of COVID-19. ADA contributes
to reducing poverty through the promotion
of economic and social development, ensuring
peace and human security as well as protecting
the environment and natural resources.
Austrian know-how
ADA is primarily engaged in sectors where Austria
can contribute its professional know-how
and long-standing experience: water supply and
sanitation, renewable energy, climate protection,
agriculture and forestry, private sector and
development as well as human security, human
rights and rule of law. In all projects and programmes,
ADA attaches particular importance
to the equal participation of women and takes
special account of the needs of children and
persons with disabilities.
Global action
Austrian Development Cooperation is based
on trust and partnership. Funds are deployed
efficiently in selected focus countries and
regions. The agency’s local offices ensure partnership-based
work as well as effective monitoring
and controlling. The projects and programmes
are tailored with our partners to the
conditions in the respective countries. Austria is
active in Africa, Southeast Europe, in the South
Caucasus as well as in Bhutan and Palestine.
Clear vision
Austria’s overarching goal is to achieve ecological
and social security in a world with economic
stability. As a solidary part of the international
community, Austria is committed to the
well-being of all people, better life prospects
and more social and political stability worldwide.
Austria’s strategic guidelines and concrete
projects and programmes are aligned with the
Agenda 2030, adopted by the International
Community in 2015, with its 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
WHAT ADA DOES
The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation, supports countries in
Africa, Asia, Southeast and Eastern Europe in their sustainable development. ADA cooperates with public institutions, civil
society organisations, scientific institutions and companies. In 2022, ADA funded 558 projects and programmes with a volume of
723 million euros. ADA staff on the ground in 24 local offices in 12 countries make sure that ADA operations are in line both with
national development goals and the needs of the local population, and that the funds are put to the best possible use.
You can find more information at:
56 Cercle Diplomatique 3/2023
entwicklung.at austriandevelopmentagency @austriandev @AustrianDev