PSC/PR/COMM.(DCL) Page 1 COMMUNIQUE The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 650 th meeting held on 17 January 2017, was briefed by the Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council on the Conclusions of the Fourth High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, held at the ministerial level, in Oran, Algeria, from 17 to 19 December 2016, with a view to Assisting Incoming African Members on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in Preparing to Address Peace and Security Issues on the Continent and adopted the following decision: Council, 1. Takes note of the briefing provided by the Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council on the Report of the Fourth High Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa; 2. Recalls its previous pronouncements on this High-Level Seminar, including communiqués PSC/PR/COMM.(CDXVIII) adopted at its 418 th meeting held on 11 February 2014, communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLXXVIII) adopted at its 478th meeting held on 19 December 2014, as well as Assembly decision Assembly/AU/Dec.598(XXVI) of the Twenty-Sixth Ordinary Session, held from 30 to 31 January 2016; 3. Underlines the importance of coordination between the African Members on the UNSC (A3) for effective articulation and promotion of Africa’s views within the UNSC on peace and security issues of interest and concern to the continent and its people; 4. Commends the Government of Algeria for launching this initiative and for hosting the Fourth High Level Seminar in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR); 5. Welcomes the following Conclusions as contained in paragraph 13 (i-vi) of the Report of the Seminar which notes the progress made in strengthening collaboration between the PSC and the A3 as recommended in previous Conclusions of the Seminar : i. In all sessions of the PSC where a country situation is under discussion or any matter related to peace and security, the A3 based in Addis Ababa have always been invited to participate and to contribute to the discussion; ii. During the PSC induction workshop for the newly elected PSC Members, which took place in March 2016, the A3 based in Addis Ababa took part;