The four thematic areas of APRM are:

1. Democracy and Good Political Governance
     
2. Economic Governance and Management
     
3. Corporate Governance
      
4. Socioeconomic Development
   
   

Democratic & Political Governance:

This thematic area looks at ensuring that the respective national constitutions reflect the democratic ethos and provide for demonstrably accountable governance and that political representation is promoted, thus providing for all citizens to participate in the political process in a free and fair political environment.

The aim is to enforce strict adherence to the position of the African Union (AU) on unconstitutional changes of government and other decisions of our continental organization aimed at promoting democracy, good governance, peace and security and strengthen and, where necessary, establish an appropriate electoral administration and oversight bodies, in our respective countries and provide the necessary resources and capacity to conduct elections which are free, fair and credible.

There are 9 key objectives in this thematic area namely:

•  Prevent and reduce intra- and inter-country conflicts.

•  Constitutional democracy, including periodic political competition and opportunity for choice, the rule of law, a Bill of Rights and the supremacy of the constitution are firmly established in the constitution.

•  Promotion and protection of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights as enshrined in all African and international human rights instruments.

•  Uphold the separation of powers including the protection of the independence of the judiciary and of an effective Parliament

•  Ensure accountable, efficient and effective public office holders and civil servants

•  Fighting corruption in the political sphere.

•  Promotion and protection of the rights of women

•  Promotion and protection of the rights of the child and young persons

•  Promotion and protection of the rights of vulnerable groups, including displaced persons and refugees.

Economic Governance and Management

Good economic governance including transparency in financial management is essential pre-requisites for promoting economic growth and reducing poverty. Mindful of this, there are five key objectives pursued namely:

•  Promote macroeconomic policies that support sustainable development

•  Implement transparent, predictable and credible government economic policies

•  Promote sound public finance management

•  Fight corruption and money laundering

•  Accelerate regional integration by participating in the harmonization of monetary, trade and investment policies amongst the participating states

Corporate Governance

Corporate governance is concerned with the ethical principles, values and practices that facilitate holding the balance between economic and social goals and between individual and communal goals. The aim is to align as much as possible the interests of individuals, corporations and society within a framework of sound governance and common good.

There are five key objectives pursued namely:

•  Provide an enabling environment and effective regulatory framework for economic activities.

•  Ensure that corporations act as good corporate citizens with regard to human rights, social responsibility and environmental sustainability

•  Promote the adoption of codes of good business ethics (e.g. Cadbury and King Codes) in achieving the objectives of the organisation.

•  Ensure that corporations treat all their stakeholders (shareholders, employees, communities, suppliers and customers) in a fair and just manner.

•  Provide for accountability of corporations and directors.

Socio-economic Development

Poverty can only be effectively tackled through the promotion of democracy, good governance, peace and security as well as the development of human and physical resources. Key socio-economic thrusts such as promoting gender equality as well as allocation of appropriate funds to a social sector and promoting new partnerships between governments and the private sector and civil society are essential in this area.

There are five key objectives pursued namely:

•  Promote self-reliance in development and build capacity for self-sustaining development.

•  Accelerate socio-economic development to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication.

•  Strengthen policies, delivery mechanisms and outputs in key social development areas (including education for all, combating of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases).

•  Ensuring affordable access to water, energy, finance (including micro-finance), markets and ICT to all citizens, especially the rural poor.

•  Progress towards gender equality, particularly equal access to education for girls at all levels.

•  Encourage broad based participation in development by all stakeholders at all levels.