Assembly/AU/ Decl.1(XVI) Page 1 DECLATION ON THE THEME OF THE SUMMIT: “TOWARDS GREATER UNITY AND INTEGRATION THROUGH SHARED VALUES” We, African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, meeting at the 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 30 to 31 January 2011, and after having debated the Theme dedicated to this Session, namely ‘Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values’; Recalling the Decision EX. CL/Dec.525 (XVI) which was endorsed by the 14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, which recommended that the 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly be dedicated to the Shared Values of the African Union, including identifying obstacles and measures to be adopted to facilitate continental integration based on such values, as well as putting in place a Pan-African Architecture on Governance as a framework for dialogue between the various stakeholders; Inspired by Africa’s history of liberation struggles and the continued quest for sovereignty, freedom and self determination of all African countries, as well as Africa’s rich tradition of solidarity, consensus, national reconciliation and communalism and its contribution to the universal principles of governance, democracy, and human rights; Further inspired by the Shared Values embodied in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which, amongst others, emphasise the significance of democratic governance, popular participation, the rule of law, human and peoples’ rights and sustainable socioeconomic development; Recognising that Shared Values is one of the four pillars of the Strategic Plan of the African Union Commission (2009-2012) through which the Commission seeks to implement the vision of the Union; Acknowledging that Shared Values are a means of accelerating Africa’s integration agenda through values and principles that are embodied, in the various instruments, decisions and declarations that have been adopted by the Union; Further acknowledging the role of women, youth and civil society in promoting Shared Values and the importance of securing and enhancing their participation in the development, popularisation and domestication of these values; Observing that Africa has made significant progress in the promotion of Shared Values and that development and implementation of these values is a continuous process that, for sustainability, would require the active involvement of all stakeholders; Committing ourselves to establishing viable and democratic states, and ensuring the efficient delivery of services to the peoples, and promoting economic progress as well as a culture of good governance; Cognizant of the need to promote and encourage democratic practices, good governance and the rule of law, protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,