Addis Ababa to host Ministerial Conference on the African Continental Free Trade Area
uneca.org/stories/addis-ababa-host-ministerial-conference-african-continental-free-trade-area
Preparations are underway for the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to be held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa from 11-15 May 2018. This year’s conference takes place against the backdrop of the historic signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area by 44 countries in Kigali, Rwanda, earlier this year and will address the theme: African Continental Free Trade Area; creating fiscal space for jobs and economic diversification.
A preparatory meeting of the Committee of Experts from 11-12 May will precede the ministerial segment of the Conference. Parallel side events will take place on 13 May, aimed at inspiring discussions on recent findings and developments relevant to the theme of the Conference. Key topics include agriculture and Africa’s transformation; financing infrastructure; an integrated strategy for the Sahel; priorities for tackling Illicit Financial Flows in Africa; among others. The ECA will also launch its key joint publications - the 5 African Governance Report and the 2018 Assessing Regional Integration.
The highly anticipated annual Adebayo Adedeji Lecture, will this year, pay special attention to the legacy and contributions of the late Professor Adedeji, who passed away on 25 April 2018, about a month following the historic signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He will be remembered for his fervent belief in the Continent’s integration and for his role in the work that preceded the AfCFTA – the Lagos Plan of Action and the Abuja Treaty on the African Economic Community. Professor Adedeji served as the Executive Secretary of the ECA from 1975-1991.
For details about the conference, related videos and information for participants, visit: https://www.uneca.org/cfm2018
For more on the Side Events: https://www.uneca.org/cfm2018/pages/side-events-and- other-meetings
For details on the Regional Coordination Mechanism: https://www.uneca.org/rcm19 Join the conversation at @ECA_Official: #2018COM ; #AfCFTA
Watch related videos: Transform: Africa Business and Investment Forum Media queries: Sophia Denekew or eca-info@un.org
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
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Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826 E-mail: eca-info@un.org
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