ATPC Work in Progress
Assessing the Consequences of the Economic Partnership Agreement on the Economy of Sudan

ATPC Briefing
The Economic and Welfare Impacts of the EU-Africa Economic Partnership Agreements

Upcoming Events

Janneh holds discussions with Assistant US Trade Representative

January 17 2007

United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, held discussions with the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Ms. Florizelle Liser on Wednesday 17 January at the ECA head offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The two leaders exchanged views on the global trading system and Africa's position within it; the Doha Round of trade negotiations; the need to continue providing trade and WTO-related technical assistance to African countries; and the need to strengthen channels of dissemination of ECA research and analysis on trade and WTO related issues.

Ms. Liser noted that ECA research on trade issues in recent years has increased significantly and its quality improved tremendously. She called on the Executive Secretary of ECA to improve on the dissemination of this research and analysis so that more African policy makers can benefit from it.

She further called on ECA to undertake a study to analyse potential benefits to African countries from the extension of the AGOA provisions and identify constraints these countries face in taking full advantage of these opportunities.

Mr. Janneh and Ms. Liser agreed on the importance for African countries to introduce measures to address weaknesses in their production capacities. In addition, African countries should seek market access concessions through consultative forums such as the Afro-China Summit, Afro-Latin America Forum and Afro-Asia Forum.

The Executive Secretary assured Ms. Liser that the Economic Commission for Africa is expending significant efforts and energy to ensure effective cooperation and collaboration between ECA and the African Union. He informed the AUSTR that a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations and the African Union has been signed and ECA has been designated as Contact Point for UN in the African Union.