Delegates at the 34th Ordinary Session of the African Union for Heads of State and Government have agreed to work collaboratively in order to boost African`s cultural heritage. 

According to the delegates, the member states will work through with their citizens by encouraging the art industry and intensifying historical places and values.

Addressing a news conference in Lilongwe upon completion of the session, President Lazarus Chakwera said time has come for African states to realise their full potential through cultural heritage.

“These will be catalyst to say who we are because most times what defines us is really contained in our culture, arts and heritage that we hold, and Africa has plenty of that.

“So, in this country we will now be working on encouraging artists, artisans and people that are able to give expressions to what defines Malawians, and we have places of historical value where people can explore,” suggested Chakwera.

On Coronavirus pandemic, the Malawi leader said while the country is working with other partners on the national immunisation campaign, some of the vaccines will be coming in the through the COVAX initiative.

“As a case in point, in my national address on Covid-19 last week, I mentioned that our first consignment of vaccines is scheduled to arrive at the end of this month.

“I want all Malawians to know that while we are working with our bilateral partners on this, some of the vaccines will be coming to us under the joint initiative of the AU, along with training of our health personnel by AU institutions specializing in testing and surveillance,” Chakwera highlighted.

The virtual assembly was held under a newly launched theme: “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want.”

Prior to deliberations, the Assembly witnessed the transfer of the Union’s leadership to Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the new Chairperson of the African Union, from South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa.