The 14th African Union (AU) Summit has refashioned the New Partnership for Africa's Developments (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) as a technical body. The new body replaces the NEPAD Secretariat.

In a statement, AU states that the NPCA has been mandated to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of continental and regional priority programs and projects.

It will also mobilize resources and partners in support of implementation of such programs and projects.

Heads of state and government attending the summit have directed the NPCA to conduct and coordinate research and management, monitor and evaluate the implementation of programs and advocate on the AU and NEPAD vision, mission and core values.

African Union Commission (AUC) chairpersons mandate is to exercise supervisory authority over the NPCA whilst giving the new agency necessary flexibility to carry out its mandate and thereby maintaining the corporate brand of the NEPAD program within the AU, said the statement.

It further states that NPCA activities will be financed through an established budget from the statutory sources of the AUC, voluntary contributions from AU member states and additional budget support from development partners and private sector.

Meanwhile, the AU elected its new bureau which consists of AU chairperson and Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika, Vice Presidents of Gabon, Uganda, Liberia and Libya. BOPA