Distr.: GENERAL E/ECA/CTRCI/6/Inf.2
UNITED NATIONS
20 June 2009ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
Original: EnglishSixth Session of Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration
13 -15 October 2009 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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AIDE-MEMOIRE
E/ECA/CTRCI/6/Inf.2 A. Introduction
The fifth session of the Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration (CTRCI), established by resolution 827 (XXXII) of the ECA Conference of Ministers, was held from 8 to 10 October 2007 at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The main focus of the meeting was to consider matters pertaining to ECA’s activities in advancing the African Union’s continental agenda on economic cooperation as well as the promotion of trade within and outside Africa. In this regard, the meeting examined the progress made on regional integration in Africa and reviewed developments in intra-African trade. In addition, the meeting assessed latest developments in the international trade arena, particularly in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and the economic partnership arrangements with Europe. Given its importance in the developmental agenda of the continent, the meeting also examined the progress made on the NEPAD initiative. Finally, the Committee reviewed the major activities and work priorities to be unde rtaken during the 2008-2009 biennium.
This year, the sixth Session of the Committee on Regional Integration is proposed to focus on the theme of mainstreaming regional integration at the national level, given the important role and responsibility of member States in implementing commitments agreed at the subregional, and continental levels. Member States’ political commitment to integration needs to be translated at the national level through measures and actions to implement and be seen to implement REC and AU decisions. In this context, member States are expected to ensure efficient coordination between the objectives and instruments of regional integration and national economic policy making, and speedily ratify and implement decisions, agreed protocols and instruments in a timely manner.
Member States also have other obligations to fulfil in terms of completing transport missing links attributed to the country as part of cross-border physical networks, adhering to agreed robust macro- economic policy convergence parameters, and encouraging or institutionalizing parliamentary and public debate on integration at the national level. These are among some of the key responsibilities of member States participating in regional integration initiatives, which would ensure the success of these initiatives. However, owing to a variety of problems including capacity deficits, and resource constraints such responsibilities are not always fulfilled.
Against this backdrop, the sixth Session of the Committee will, among others, critically examine the issue of mainstreaming regional integration at the national level, in light of experiences from selected countries and RECs. These national and regional experiences together with the discussions that would ensue on this topic will help shed light on best practices and challenges, and draw appropriate policy recommendations for enhancing implementation of Africa’s regional integration agenda at the national level. Thus, the achievement of Africa’s regional integration objectives can be greatly enhanced.
B. Issues to be discussed
The sixth session of the CTRCI will address the issue of mainstreaming regional integration at the national level.
The meeting will review progress on Regional Integration as well as developments in intra- African trade and trade facilitation, and provide policy guidance for accelerating progress. In this context, it is planned to have a high-level Panel discussion on the topic of Regional Integration in Africa: Status and the Way Forward. The members of the high-level Panel are expected to be drawn from Ministers and renowned actors in the field of regional integration. To this end, ECA encourages Member States and their Ministers to indicate their willingness to be Members of this Panel.
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The Sixth session will also examine the latest developments in the international trade arena, including the status of the multilateral trade agenda and the economic partnership agreements (EPAs). In this regard, there will be an update on the topical issue of Aid for Trade.
The Sixth Session will also broach on statutory issues in terms of matters relating to ECA’s current and future work programs in the areas of regional integration, infrastructure and natural resources management and support to NEPAD.
C. Participants
Attending the Committee’s sessions are a mix of Senior Officials and experts from African ministries in charge of, regional integration, trade , infrastructure and natural resources management and NEPAD, as well as African Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries based in Addis Ababa, representatives from the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities, the African Development Bank, the NEPAD/APRM secretariats, and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC). Also invited are representatives from pa rtner institutions including UN organizations, the World Bank and the OECD/EU.
D. Date and Venue
The Sixth session of the CTRCI is scheduled to be held from 13-15 October 2009 at ECA Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
E. Information
The following staff can be contacted for further information relating to the meeting.
• Mr. Abdalla Hamdok, Director, NEPAD and Regional Integration Division (NRID), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), P . O. Box 3001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel: (251-11) 5511525, Email: [email protected]
• Mr. Joseph Atta-Mensah, Chief, Regional Integration Section, NRID, UNECA, P. O. Box 3001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia , Tel: (251-11) 544 5379, Email:
• Mr. Daniel A. Tanoe , Economic Affairs Officer, NRID, UNECA, P. O. Box 3001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia , Tel: (251-11) 544 3542, Email: [email protected]
