From 27 to 30 June, UNOAU attended the 10^th African Standby Capacity (ASC) Annual Conference in Kampala, Uganda. The Conference aimed to enhance relationships with the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and promote information exchange regarding the generation and preparation of civilian capabilities of the African Standby Force (ASF). Additionally, the meeting aimed at standardizing trainings of civilian capabilities for the ASF. The meeting brought together civilian components from the AU Commission (AUC) and RECs/RMs, UNOAU and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD). Discussions focussed on the operationalization of the AUC roster; the harmonization of rostering activities; and challenges in the implementation of operational plans, focusing on ways of integrating the roster into human resources policies, thereby increasing its utilization as a deployment tool as per the decision of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defence, Safety and Security (STCDSS) at their 10^th Ordinary meeting and in line with the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in areas of peace and security between the AU and RECs/RMs.

During the ASC Conference, various challenges in the utilisation of the roster were identified, including the need for further alignment of recruitment standards between the AU and RECs/RMs as well as a recruitment process suitable for Peace Support Operations (PSOs).  UNOAU will further engage with the AUC Human Resources (HR) Department to develop a workplan to include the drafting of a HR Strategic Plan for the Commission taking into consideration the RECs/RMs unique cultures and practices; revise the AUC and RECs/RMs professional level categories to align where possible; revise the values and competencies used in the AU selection guidelines and align them with the ASC Selection Guidelines Manual where possible; and develop a ‘community of practice’ between the AU and RECs/RMs HR Departments and sections.