62. The Conference took note of the presentation and examined the report of the Committee and the draft resolutions contained therein. In considering the report, delegations made observations and suggestions in respect of the discussions and proposals made by TEPCOW under some of the agenda items it had considered as
follows:63. Under agenda item 6(a) of TEPCOW, relating to the proposed reform of the intergovernmental machinery of the Commission, delegations welcomed the proposed changes in the structure of the intergovernmental machinery. In doing so, they hoped that the changes would lead to well-planned and better prepared meetings. In particular, they expected that documents for meetings would now be sent well in advance so that they would be given the study they required at the country level before the meetings. It was explained that the Conference of Ministers of Finance was being retained to meet every two years, alternating with the Conference of Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning, to enable the Commission follow very closely the immediate issues of reform, and economic and financial management generally. The report of the proposed sectoral Committees would be submitted to the Conference of Ministers responsible for economic and social development, so that the recommendations and proposals of the Committees could be considered by the Conference and translated
into legislative mandates as appropriate. It was also explained that in inter-sessionalyears, when the Conference does not meet, the proposed follow-up committee of the
Commission could act on behalf of the Commission in bringing to the attention ofECOSOC, regional and other global instances, reports and positions on issues of interest
to Africa.64. One delegation questioned the appropriateness of the format that has been used
for the present meeting. The delegation felt that meetings of the Conference were for
legislation and decision-making and that technical panel discussions were more
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appropriate for seminars and workshops. To this, the Executive Secretary explained that in his consultations, he had been informed that meetings of the Conference had usually not generated dialogue, exchange of views and cross-fertilization of ideas among representatives. This is why at the previous annual meeting the Commission had experimented with panel-led high-level policy discussions on relevant issues of African development. The Commission had at that time welcomed the innovation and encouraged the Executive Secretary to continue to make more use of the format since it would make the meetings more exciting while enhancing the legislative and decision-making process.
The Conference urged the Executive Secretary, in consultation with member States to explore more possibilities to make the meetings more effective.
65. Under item 6(b), relating to the rationalization of the ECA-sponsored institutions, the Conference endorsed the proposals for rationalization as presented by TEPCOW. In doing so, it affirmed that the proposals provided a concrete basis for member States to take final decisions on the continuing existence and functioning of the institutions. It stressed that such decisions should be taken and that the present meeting should be the last time that the issue of the rationalization of the institutions should be brought before it for debate.
Those institutions which had no chance of survival should simply be allowed to close down. The Conference further stressed that even after rationalization, it was the collective duty of all member States and not just the host countries, as has generally been the case in the past, to ensure the proper functioning of the institutions that would be retained.
66. The Conference agreed to amend paragraph 90 of the report to include "the respect of equitable geographical distribution" under the criterium of functionality to be used for selecting those institutions with which ECA would develop close partnership programmes.
67. Under:agenda item 6(c) relating to the MULPOCs: strengthening ECA's subregaona!
presence, the Conference endorsed the proposals as presented. It stressed that more should be done to enhance ECA's presence at the subregionai level. More staff members
should be sent to the Subregionai Development Centres (SRDCs) and those who would
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be sent should be of high-calibre and with expertise that is relevant to the specific needs of the respective subregions.
68. The Conference agreed to amend paragraph 99 of the report to read as follows:
"The Committee endorsed the various actions undertaken by the Executive Secretary in pursuit of the desired reforms and commended him for the promptness with which he had carried out the assigned tasks. The Committee took note; of the mandates proposed for the MULPOCs. The Committee also .endorsed the proposed change of name for the centres from Multinational Programming and Operational Centres {MULPOCs) to Subregional Development Centres (SRDCs). The Committee observed that the redesignation better reflected the new role of SRDCs.
Nevertheless, the Committee pointed out that changing names was no guarantee of performance and efficiency, if the necessary resources were not provided for SRDCs to play their crucial role as ECA Centres for the promotion of subregional development according to the needs of member States and in close collaboration with subregional economic communities, including the ECA-sponsored institutions and other centres of excellence within the subregions. SRDCs should participate in the meetings of the specialized technical commissions of the subregional economic communities as a means of aligning their work programmes and eliminating overlap or duplication of programmes".
69. The Conference amended paragraph 101 to read as follows:
"The Committee noted with satisfaction the creation of two SRDCs for Eastern Africa and Southern Africa as well as jhe new geographical coverage of the subregional centres. The Committee welcomed the fact that consultations would be undertaken with interested countries in order to determine the location of the headquarters of SRDC for East Africa".
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70- Regarding the question of the headquarters of.--the .East African SRDC, the Conference invited the representatives of the countries concerned to meet during the present meeting to decide on the location of the headquarters.
71. The Conference also amended paragraph 104 of the report to read as follows:
"Since SRDCs were to serve as fora for concerted action and thinking in the search for solutions to the economic and social development problems of each subregion, the Committee felt that it was important for the contents of their work programmes to particularly reflect the specific needs of each subregion. For the North African SRDC, the priorities should take into account the development strategies of member States including issues related mainly to youth, the environment and urbanization, drought, desertification, pollution, water resources, external indebtedness, food security and subregional integration".
72. The representative of Mauritania, commenting on paragraph 106, informed the Conference that his country was geographically part of the North African Subregion; it should, therefore, belong to the North African SRDC.
73. It was suggested that the new SRDCs should also assist African countries in the determination and implementation of their respective development programmes, as well as provide special assistance to those countries emerging from internal conflicts.
74. The Executive Secretary expressed appreciation to the Conference for the comments and observations related to the strengthening of ECA's subregional presence.