The MYCM was conceptualized in 2017 as the principal forum for the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to align their work and coordinate the implementation of the continental integration agenda, replacing the June/ July summits. It is a meeting between the bureau of the AU Assembly and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), with the participation of the Chairpersons of RECs, the AU Commission and Regional Mechanisms (RMs).
In January 2017, the AU Heads of State and Government made two key decisions:
1. To ensure a clear division of labour and effective collaboration between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), the Member States, in line with the principle of subsidiarity;
2. In place of the June/July Summit, the Bureau of the African Union Assembly to hold a coordination meeting with the RECs, with the participation of the Chairpersons of the RECs, the AUC and RMs.
Article 7 of the Protocol on Mid -Year Coordination Meeting, clearly states that in place of the June/July Summit, the Bureau of the Assembly shall hold a coordination meeting with the RECs with the participation of the Chairpersons of the RECs, the Commission and RMs. The Commission shall coordinate and harmonise the activities of the Parties for the Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.
The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, as per the Protocol, is expected to do the following:
- Assess the status of continental integration and coordinate efforts to accelerate the integration process;
- Coordinate the implementation of a clear division of labour and effective collaboration between the Union, RECs, RMs and Member States, in line with the principle of subsidiarity, complementarity and comparative advantage;
- Coordinate and harmonize AU and REC policies with a view to accelerating Africa’s integration process;
- Identify areas of cooperation and establish mechanisms for regional, continental and global cooperation in each sector or subsector;
- Guide the Union and the RECs in matters pertaining to priority programmes, resources needed for implementation of these programmes and the impact of such programmes in improving the lives of the African people;
- Review and assess the status of implementation of decisions and legal instruments pertaining to the relations among the Union, RECs and RMs;
