IMO was in attendance as an observer at the 25th Summit of the African Union in Sandton, Johannesburg , South Africa (7-15 June). African Heads of State and Government resolved to intensify efforts towards the achievement of "The Africa We Want" as part of the wider African Union Agenda 2063, which includes maritime development as an integral part of the agenda. Amongst other issues, the Summit deliberated on the ‘Blue Economy’ and its potentials for job and wealth creation for Africa. The theme of the AU Summit was 2015 Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063. IMO has a long-running programme for the integration of women in the maritime sector.
IMO was represented at the AU Summit by Juvenal Shiundu and William Azuh of the Technical Cooperation Division.