The Governing Council

This is the Board of Directors of The African Academy of Sciences. It consists of 11 members elected by the General Assembly. The president of the General Assembly is the Chairman of the Governing Council. The Council exercises oversight on The AAS Secretariat directly as well as through its committees. It is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and assessing the Academy’s programmes to ensure they are in line with the priorities of the General Assembly. It establishes policies and provides strategic thinking. It also conducts the election of new Fellows, prepares the agenda for the General Assembly, reviews and approves the selection of affiliate members and appoints auditors.

Useful Downloads:

• Guidelines for the Nominations of Candidates for Election as Members of the 2020-2023 GC
• Roles and Responsibilities of Governing Council Members
• Roles and Responsibilities of AAS Regional Vice Presidents
• Code of Conduct and Ethics for the Governing Council
• Governing Council Election Rules and Regulations
• AAS Constitution
• AAS Council Charter
• NGOs Comprehensive Guidance Booklet

The Governing Council (GC) has three committees. These are:

Governance and Nominations Committee:

Assists the GC in its governance stewardship and oversight responsibilities to ensure that The Academy is governed in line with best practice. More specifically, the Committee identify individuals qualified to become Committee members and recommend to the GC, nominees for appointment; recommend to the GC corporate governance principles and policies applicable to the Academy; vet and recommend to the Board individuals nominated to become Fellows of the Academy; and exercise and perform the authority, duties and responsibilities of the Committee set forth in this charter.

Programmes Committee:

Assists the GC in overseeing The AAS’ scientific programmes, in the development and implementation of the Academy's programme activities and achievement of the Academy’s objectives. The Committee is also responsible for ensuring the Academy has high level advice from individuals with significant expertise in each program managed by The AAS.

Finance, Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee:

In addition to audit, risk and compliance it also has oversight on strategy, Human Resources plan and Financial reporting.