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109. A representative of the secretariat presented document E/ECA/CH.13/20:
Report of the eir-hth meeting of the Conference of African ministers of Industry, lie indicated that the objective of the eighth meeting of the Conference of
African rUnicters o? Industry was to review progress made towards the industrializat ion of African countries, with particular emphasis on the implementation of the programme for the Industrial Development Decade for Africa, and the role of
industry in the economic recovery and development of Africa. Ee singled out issues that were dealt with during the meeting and highlighted the rationality
of those related to: (i) the Industrial Developnent Decade for Africa; (ii) UNIDO's
contribution to the restructuring and rehabilitation of African industry, as well as the negotiation of new industrial projects; (iii) development of human resources and technological capabilities for industrial development; (iv) industrial financing)(v) system of consultations; and (vi) institutional arrangements.
110. The representative of the secretariat emphasized that the recommendations of the Conference had emerged from lengthy discussions of country reports on progress made and constraints encountered, as well as the consideration of several
recommendations and proposals put forward by member States, intergovernmental organizations and the international community. He presented to the Committee two resolutions adonted by the Conference of African Ministers of Industry: Resolution 1 (VIII) contained general reco!runendations on (a) the implementation of the
prograrnme for IDDA; (b) the implementation of APPER and UN-PAAERD; (c) activities for the implementation phase (1935-1990) of the programme for the Decade;
(d) UNIDO as a socialized agency;, (e) publicity and promotion of the IDDA; and (f) the launching of a second IDDA; and resolution 2 (VIII) dealt with funding tho African Industrial Development Fund (AIDF). He pointed out. that the imple mentation of the Decade had suffered because most projects had not reached the
prefeasibility stage and so could not attract donor interest. In that connection, he underscored the need to use the relevant regional institutions such as ARSO, ARCSDEM, ARCT and local expertise for the implementation of the Decade programme.
In conclusion, he made the following recommendations:
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(a) The three secretariats cf ICA IMfcC and OAU (which were jointly responsible for servicing the meeting oi the Conference of African Ministers of Industry should prepare cost estimates on the implementation of the Decade;
(t) ^.aecuate resource mobilisation and allocation be made particularly
to EGA secretariat tc enable it pla; a mere effective role'(c) 'The establishment of an independent organ to evaluate the execution of the Decade vrogrammei and
(d)_.The undertaking of a study on a possible new structure on the implementation of the Decade.
111. Document L/ECA/CM.13/5S% Joint FCA/OAU/UKIDC report on the implementation of the prcgrar&ie for the Industrial Development Decade for Africa was introduced by a representative of the secretariat.. The report,, which was jointly prepared cy the secretariats of ECA9 OAU and UlilDC, covered two irain issues. The first concerned the inter-secretariat co-operation and policy development in the
implementation, of the programme for the Decade. During the period under review, efforts were directed mainly towards the preparations for the United Nations special Session or. the Critical Situation in Africa5 held in New York, USA
in ilay 196C: the eighth meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Industry and the preceding- me.ting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts of the
■hole: at Bujumburai lurundi, in September 19&Lc
112. The second issue was related to the activities carried out in support of the progrardc for the Decade. The represenative indicated that the three secretariats placed emphasis on meeting the priorities established for the Decade, Africa's Priority Programme for Economic Recovery,1986-1990 (APPER)
and the United Nations Programme of Action for Africa's Economic Recovery and Develoriaent,1S86-1990 (UN-PAAERD), in particular, on the need to
attain self-sufficiency in food production and tc contribute to the strengthening or establishment cf core industries. lie drov the attention of the Committee to paras. 12 tc 45 of the secretariats' document concerning direct support which vas extended to industrial subsectors it. member countries, and the assistance, which memher Ltates received or: the development of natural resources and energy, iissistance was extended to member States in the development and transfer of
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industrial technology, dissemination of industrial technological information, development of manpower capabilities an*! managerial skills, and the mobili zation of financial ressources. Support was also given to merber States to enhance their capabilities in policy formulation and planning, research as well as.promotion of industrial co-oneratior. within Africa aid between Africa and other regions.
113. In introducing document E/ECA/C1*.13/21: Problens and Constraints on the implementation of the Industrial Development decade for Africa: a representative of the secretariat stated that an assessment of the IT)DA revealed that the im plementation of tbe Industrial Development Oecadeffor Africa had not made nuch progress, Continuing, he exnlained that factors for the low performance included the unfavourable climatic conditions which affected most of Africa during the
preparatory nhase of the Decade lac'i of support in the identification of projects, lack of commitment on the part of member States to suhrepional projects9 and
declining resources on the Dart of the international agencies. In considera tion of those issues9 a mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the Decade had bean recommended for presentation to the 1338 meeting of the Ministers of Industry. He then called upon the Committee to deliberate on the objectives and problems of IDDA and outlined measures for the accelerated implementation of IDDA which included the preparation of a development plan or. the use of raw materials; reorientation of training to -neet the Decade needs; and folloT-?-ut>