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ECA Press Release No. 16/2003
"BIG TABLE" FOCUSES ON HOW TO PROTECT AFRICAN ECONOMIES FROM EXTERNAL SHOCKS
Addis Ababa, 28 October 2003 (ECA) -- The Economic Commission for Africa will convene today in Washington D.C. a major conference on Africa's economic future, bringing together several African finance ministers, development ministers from throughout the developed world, and the heads of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
The Fourth "Big Table" meeting will focus on what more can be done to protect African economies from the adverse effects of external shocks, such as commodity price fluctuations or weather, and on how the approaches of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund can more effectively be aligned with African governments' strategies to reduce poverty. World Bank President James Wohlfensohn and IMF Managing Director Hans Kohler will attend the one-day meeting, where participants will also address the scale of resources required for Africa to meet the United Nations' "Millennium Development Goals".
The "Big Table" meeting series was launched by the Economic Commission for Africa and its international partners as a forum for frank and open exchange about the major obstacles to Africa's sustainable economic development. Past sessions have addressed strengthening Africa's voice in ongoing international efforts to confront the development challenge, Africa's responsibility in achieving its development goals, and mutual accountability between African governments and donor nations.
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For more information on the Fourth "Big Table" meeting, contact Max Jarrett, tel: +251-1 44 32 77, email: mjarrett@uneca.org
Issued by the ECA Communication Team P.O. Box 3001
Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Tel: +251-1-51 58 26 Fax: +251-1-51 03 65 E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org Web: www.uneca.org
