Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 29^th June 2023: President Azali Assoumani of the Comoros has been elected the First President of the General Assembly of the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC).

The President was elected by consensus as a sole candidate during the First Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly of the Organisation of Educational Cooperation that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 27^th to 30^th June 2023, during which the Organisation’s name was also changed by uninamous decision, to the Organisation of Southern Cooperation.

As President of the General Assembly, H.E Azali Assoumani will chair and direct the sessions of the General Assembly as defined in various provisions of the Constitutive Charter until the next Extraordinary Session.

In particular, Rule 25 of Chapter Five states that: “the President shall declare the opening and closing of each plenary meeting of the Assembly. They shall direct the discussions, ensure observance of these rules, accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote and announce decisions. They shall rule on points of order and, subject to the present rules, shall control the proceedings and the maintenance of order.”

In accepting his election, President Azali Assoumani thanked the General Assembly for the confidence vested in him and pledged to continue supporting the  Organisation of Southern Cooperation to implement the Collective Programme of Member States.