President William Ruto on Thursday said that Kenya will host the African Union Secretariat for the African Audio Visual Cinema Commission.
President Ruto said the move will elevate Kenyan talents to the global level.
Ruto was speaking during the National Film and Drama Festival State Concert held at the Sagana State Lodge.
He noted that the responsible ministry will unveil the Secretariat on May 9, 2024.
"Kenya has won the race to host the AU Secretariat of the African Audio Visual Cinema Commission, elevating Kenyan talents to the continental stage," Ruto said.
"The Ministry will officially unveil this Secretariat on 9th May 2024," the President said.
The President called on legislators to fast-track the passing of the Creative Economy Policy and Creative Industry Bill, to anchor the policies in law.
The AACC is a specialised agency of the AU established by a Statute approved by the 32nd African Union Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2019.
The agency was established upon the request of the continent’s cinema and audio visual experts to the 3rd African Union Assembly in Maputo, Mozambique in July 2003.
The move request was made in order to coordinate the film and audio visual industry sector and ensure that it contributes fully to the continent’s creative economy.
The establishment of the AACC was spearheaded by the Government of the Republic of Kenya, the AU Commission and the Pan-African Federation of Film Makers (FEPACI).
Kenya also offered to host the temporary Secretariat of the AACC which will oversee the process of ratification of the instruments.
It will also oversee as the operationalisation of this important continental institution that will promote the development and growth of the creative economy
The Statute of the AACC shall enter into force upon the receipt by the AU Commission of the 15th instrument of ratification.
To date no Member State has yet signed or ratified the AACC Statute.
