NEPAD & Regional Integration Division

News and Information

	Ministers adopt forward-looking declaration to take the African Mining Vision into Action ECA Press Release No. 159/2011 Addis Ababa, 15 December 2011 (ECA) - African Union Ministers at the 2nd African Union Conference on a Sustainable Future for Africa’s Extractive Industry today adopted a declaration of intent to implement the Africa Mining Vision.
	AU urges Ministers to adopt effective mineral management policies to attain sustainable development ECA Press Release No. 158/2011 Addis Ababa, 15 December 2011 (ECA) - The African Union (AU) has called on African Ministers responsible for mining to "adopt effective mineral management policies and ensure the exploitation of Africa’s mineral resources can play a vital role in the attainment of the MDGs, boosting economic growth and eradicating poverty.”
	Mining Conference to launch major report on Minerals and Development ECA Press Release No. 156/2011 Addis Ababa, 13 December, 2011 (ECA) - On the sidelines of the on-going Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development, jointly organised by the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), a major new report titled: Minerals and Africa's Development will be launched on Thursday.
	Mining Conference gets underway on minerals for Africa’s growth and development ECA Press Release No. 155/2011 Addis Ababa, 13 December, 2011 (ECA) - The Second African Union (AU) Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development under the theme ‘Building sustainable future for Africa’s extractive industry, from vision to action’ kicked off this week at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
	African Mining Ministers to meet on implementing their Vision ECA Press Release No. 153/2011 Addis Ababa, 9 December, 2011-The 2nd African Union Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development will be held in Addis Ababa from December 12-16 on the theme: Building a Sustainable Future for Africa’s Extractive Industry: from Vision into Action.
	AU Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development to meet in Addis Ababa ECA Press Release No. 149/2011 Addis Ababa, 7 December 2011 (ECA) - The Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission and the Regional Integration and Trade Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) are organizing the Second African Union Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development, to be held on 12 - 16 December 2011.
	The Second African Road Safety Conference : : Conference Report : : Decade of Action for Road Safety: 2011-2020 - African Action Plan
	We can optimize intra-African trade if we do what is required, says Janneh ECA Press Release No. 140/2011 Addis Ababa, 22 November 2011 (ECA) - The Africa Trade Forum opened today on the theme:*Accelerating Intra-African Trade and Enhancing Africa’s Participation in Global Trade*- with approximately 400 participants representing the width and breadth of the African trade constituency in attendance.
	Opening Remarks by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA African Trade Forum 22 November 2011
	African Action Plan to halve road crashes by 2020 ECA Press Release No. 138/2011 Addis Ababa, 09 November 2011 (ECA) - Road Safety actors attending the Second African Road Safety Conference from 9-11November unanimously agreed a detailed Action Plan aimed at stabilizing and then halving the number of road crash fatalities by 2020. The Africa Action Plan (AAP) articulates clear targets and deliverables to be reviewed by African ministers in charge of transport in Luanda, Angola on 24-28 November.
	Road crashes robbing Africa of its young, future human capital -Hamdok ECA Press Release No. 136/2011 Addis Ababa, 09 November 2011 (ECA) - The Second African Road Safety Conference opened in Addis Wednesday, with somber calls to turn Africa’s road carnage statistics around through the implementation of a proposed African Action Plan for the Decade 2011-2020. The Plan will be reviewed this week by the hundreds of participants in attendance.
	African Action Plan set to tackle road carnage and safety concerns ECA Press Release No. 135/2011 Addis Ababa, 08 November 2011 (ECA) - The Second African Road Safety Conference kicks off this week at the United Nations Conference Centre from November 9-11 to examine and validate the African Road Safety Action Plan for the coming decade. In addition, the Conference will also aim to agree a mobilization strategy to support the implementation of the Action Plan.
	The Second African Road Safety Conference 09-11November, 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Announcement \| Brochure
	Experts conclude on speeding up Trans African Highways to accelerate development ECA Press Release No. 115/2011 Addis Ababa, 21 September 2011 (ECA) - Experts meeting in Addis Ababa from19-20 September at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) concluded deliberations with a set of 10 recommendations and an action plan that underscores the need to speed up Trans African Highways (TAH) “to accelerate the overall socioeconomic development process in Africa, particularly for landlocked developing countries.”
	Experts review report on promoting development through Trans-African Highways ECA Press Release No. 114/2011 Addis Ababa, 21 September 2011 (ECA) - Experts from around the Continent gathered in Addis Ababa at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) on 19-20 September to review a report that seeks to promote the development of Trans-African Highways -TAH - and evolve an intergovernmental agreement on the issue.
	Concerns over ceding rights to advance regional integration can be addressed through shared values - Janneh ECA Press Release No. 112/2011 Addis Ababa, 14 September 2011 (ECA) - Ministers responsible for promoting Africa’s regional integration agenda assembled in Nairobi, Kenya last week for the 5th Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Integration (COMAI V) on the theme - Integration and Sovereignty.
	Re-launch of the Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique Growth Triangle a step towards regional integration at a localized level – ECA ECA Press Release No. 110/2011 Addis Ababa, 31 August 2011 (ECA) - A two-day Strategic Planning Workshop to re-launch the Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Growth Triangle was held on 29-30 August 2011 in Lilongwe, Malawi. The Growth Triangle was first launched in 2000 as an initiative to complement and enhance economic development objectives in marginalized and economically depressed areas of the three countries, according to the Information and Communication Service of the Economic Commission for Africa.
	Positive trends in Africa’s Aid for Trade, but more interventions needed to overcome constraints says Janneh ECA Press Release No. 102/2011 Addis Ababa, 20 July 2011 (ECA) -Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa – ECA said this week that although Aid for Trade in Africa is starting to show results, interventions are urgently needed to overcome the short and long term constraints. Mr. Janneh made this remark at the Third Aid for Trade Global Review held this week in Geneva during a debate on progress in Africa.
	Aid for Trade to Africa surpasses other regions, says ECA-led study ECA Press Release No. 90/2011 Addis Ababa, 21 June 2011 (ECA) - African trade experts from member State capitals and the Geneva-based African trade negotiators assembled on Tuesday in Geneva for a roundtable organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in preparation for the 18-19 July, 3rd Global Aid for Trade (AfT) review. The aim of the Review will be to assess the impact of AfT on economic growth, trade creation and poverty reduction.
	AGOA forum to promote trade relations, enhance competitiveness Addis Ababa, 08 June 2011 (ECA) - The 2011 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum will be held in Lusaka, Zambia on 8 - 10 June 2011 on the theme: Enhanced Trade through Increased Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.
	Commitment and Sacrifice required to deliver Programme on Infrastructure Development in Africa – Says Kargbo ECA Press Release No. 87/2011 Addis Ababa, 02 June 2011 (ECA) - Member states and regional integration experts have been urged to “put all hands on deck to achieve the continental free trade project that will transform Africa into a single economic and market space.” Ms. Jennifer Kargbo, Deputy Executive Secretary, of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) made this remark during the official opening of the 7th Session of the Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration.
	Abuja Treaty seeing mixed progress in Free Trade Areas and Harmonization of Regimes ECA Press Release No. 86/2011 Addis Ababa, 01 June 2011 (ECA) -Trade and regional integration experts assembled in Addis have been urged to make strong recommendations that will see to it that member States accelerate the establishment of Continental Free Trade Area and Customs Union as agreed in the Abuja Treaty. The recommendations, according to the Information and Communication Service of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), will be tabled at the 2-5 June 7th Session of the Committee on Regional Integration.
	Towards a Continental Free Trade Area and Customs Union in Africa – 7th session of the Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration aims to shape debate for African Union Summit 2012 ECA Press Release No. 83/2011 Addis Ababa, 23 May 2011 (ECA) - The 7th session of the Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration (CTRCI) will take place on 2-3 June 2011 at the Headquarters of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. More than 150 participants are expected to attend the meeting to discuss the theme “*Towards an accelerated Continental Free Trade Area and Customs Union in Africa*” and will examine ways and means of fast-tracking the process.
	Mid-term review of AGOA urges better arrangements and extension beyond 2015 ECA Press Release Addis Ababa, 25 May 2011 (ECA) - Ministers of Trade from countries that are beneficiaries of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) said in Lusaka, Zambia, that despite the positive contribution of the AGOA to African economies, there are challenges that are hindering the realization of its full potential benefits.
	High-level Symposium on Africa’s Integration Agenda concludes with calls for strengthened institutions and abolishment of visas ECA Press Release No. 49/2011 Addis Ababa, 27 April 2011 (ECA) - A High-level 2-day Symposium on the role of Civil Society in deepening Africa’s Integration Agenda ended on Wednesday at the Headquarters of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa with a call to support the creation of strong institutions as they are the key to effective integration.
	The role of the civil society in the Africa Union building process - High-Level Symposium reflects on Africa’s integration agenda ECA Press Release No. 46/2011 Addis Ababa, 21 April 2011 (ECA) - A High-Level Symposium on Regional Integration will be held on 26-27 April 2011 at the Headquarters of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. More than 150 participants will convene under the theme; The Role of the Civil Society in Deepening Africa's Integration Agenda; to reflect on Africa’s on-going initiatives on regional integration at both the continental and subregional levels.
	African Researchers to undertake second phase of Global Trade Analysis training ECA Press Release No. 40/2011 Addis Ababa, 07 April 2011 (ECA) - The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the World Bank is sponsoring the 2011 African Short Course in Global Trade Analysis for African researchers entitled: Introduction to Applied General Equilibrium Analysis in a Multi-Region Framework. Offered by the Center for Global Trade Analysis, Purdue University, the course has been running from end of January and concludes with an onsite component to take place April 10-16 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.
	Recommendations on Achieving Sustainable Hydropower Development in Africa Announced ECA Press Release No. 35/2011 Addis Ababa, 04 April 2011 (ECA) - Hydropower for Sustainable Development 2011 concluded today with the presentation by Dr Joseph Atta-Mensah, Director of Regional Integration, Infrastructure and Trade Division at the Economic Commission for Africa, of the Hydropower for Sustainable Development 2011 Conference Ministerial Recommendations, and the announcement that the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) has become a member of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), and an IHA Sustainability Partner.
	East African Community charts way forward to increase regional and global trade competitiveness ECA Press Release No. 23/2011 Addis Ababa, 22 March 2011 (ECA) - The high cost of doing business in the East African Community (EAC) is compromising the competitiveness of the region, according to a study on Capacity Building for International Negotiations and Trade Facilitation in the East African Community.
	Launching in Abidjan of the 4th edition of «Assessing Regional Integration in Africa» (ARIA IV) Abidjan, 26 May 2010 (ECA) – His Excellency Mr. Festus Mogae, Former President of Botswana and Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) conducted Monday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the launching of the 4th edition of ARIA IV, a joint flagship publication of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC)
	A New ECA Report On Regional Integration Calls for Strong Action to Lower Costs of Doing Business and Facilitate intra-African Trade ECA Press Release No. 37/2010 Addis Ababa, 18 May 2010 (ECA) - African countries need to drastically improve the quality and quantity of physical infrastructure in order to lower the costs of doing business and increase competitiveness and the volumes of intraregional trade, according to a key recommendation of the fourth report on Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA IV), published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC).
	Setting Road Safety Targets: A way Forward for Reducing Accident Fatalities by Half by 2015, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) In Collaboration with FIA Foundation, Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 8 – 10 July 2009; African Ministers call for Decade of Action for road safety
	New NEPAD official says integration into African Union on course Addis Ababa, 27 March 2009 - The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has revealed that studies on the integration of the development framework into the African Union structures shall be completed by the end of April 2009.
	High transport costs, bribery, long delays impede intra-African trade - report Walvis Bay, Namibia 26 February 2009 – It is not just h igh transport costs that impede intra-regional and external trade in the Africa sub-region; bribery and long delays on the trade corridors are also hampering factors, according to the conclusions of a trade facilitation workshop on the promotion of intra-African trade. Communiqué of the Joint UNECA-WBCG Workshop and Study Tour Finaly Report UNECA-WBCG Workshop and Study Tour Walvis Bay Corridor Group
	Observatory on Regional Integration in Africa ECA Press Release No. 26/2008 Addis Ababa , 28 October 2008 - ECA - The NEPAD and Regional Integration Division (NRID) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has developed and just launched an *Observatory on Regional Integration in Africa*, in close collaboration with the ECA's Subregional Offices (SROs).
	9th Annual Meeting of the Regional Consultation Mechanism (RCM) of the United Nations (UN) Agencies and Organizations working in Africa in Support of the African Union (AU) and its NEPAD Programme: Delivering as One at the Regional and Subregional Levels, 21-22 October 2008
	Africa 's Mineral Resources Ministers Endorse ECA inspired Mining Vision ECA Press Release No. 25/2008 Addis Ababa , 20 October 2008 - ECA - The 1st Ordinary Session of the African Union ( AU) Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development ended on Friday 17th October with a tacit endorsement of the draft "Africa Mining Vision", which has been drafted by a team of sector experts under the leadership of ECA.
	Experts begin discussions on how to improve UN support for the African Union and NEPAD Addis Ababa, 16 September 2008 – ECA Meeting Website
	The African Regional Review Meeting of the Almaty Programme of Action ended after four days of intensive discussions on how to assist landlocked and transit countries in Africa to overcome their geographical handicap and gain better access to the international trading system.
	Enhancing the Mining Sector's Contribution to Development Addis Ababa, 22 May 2008 (ECA) - The second meeting of the new International Study Group on Africa's Mining Regimes (ISG), held at ECA headquarters in Addis Ababa from 19-21 May 2008, ended on Wednesday with a reiteration of commitment to the assignment by all partners as well as agreement on key deliverables of the project.
	Commission-wide Symposium on ECA's Support to AU and its NEPAD Programme 25 March 2008, UNCC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
	8th Annual Regional Consultations Among UN Agencies Working in Africa 05 - 06 November 2007, UNCC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
	Pan-African institutions must collaborate to advance the integration agenda The Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration, which met from 8-10 October 2007 in Addis Ababa, adopted a series of recommendations urging African regional institutions to enhance their collaboration for the advancement of the continental integration agenda.
	Africa's political will must be matched with capacity-building drivers, says ECA's NEPAD Support Chief 14 September 2007 - The abundant political will in Africa needs to be matched with necessary capacity building drivers to make a difference, Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, Chief of the NEPAD Support Unit of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) said today.
	Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration recommends enhanced intra-African collaboration Addis Ababa, 11 October 2007 (ECA)- The fifth session of the Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration of the Economic Commission for Africa ended Wednesday October 10, with the adoption of recommendations urging African regional institutions to enhance their collaboration for the advancement of the continental integration agenda.
	Ministers to take stock of Africa's trade, regional cooperation and integration agenda ECA Press Release No. 14/2007 5th Meeting of the Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration 08 October 2007
	"International Study Group to Review Africa's Mining Regimes" Addis Ababa, 04 October 2007 (ECA) - The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) on 4-6 October hosts the first meeting of a new international study group, which has been tasked with conducting a review of Africa’s mining regimes.The group, which includes leading academics and practitioners of natural resources law, economics, and management, was established following the February 2007 Big Table on “ Managing Africa’s Natural Resources for Growth and Poverty Reduction”.
	Making Africa’s Power Sector Sustainable An Analysis of Power Sector Reforms in Africa: A Joint UNECA and UNEP Report Published within the Framework of UN-Energy/Africa
	"Successful sub-regional mineral centre goes continental" 12 June 2007 The Southern and Eastern Africa Mineral Centre (SEAMIC), an intergovernmental mineral services provider, established in 1977, under the umbrella of the ECA, has decided to open its membership to all African States.
	ECA Expert Interviewed on Importance of Intra-African Trade 24 May 2007 Following the recent decision taken by members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to create a customs union , ECA expert Joseph Atta-Mensah was interviewed by the BBC World Service on the importance of intra-african trade. More...
	In the spirit of NEPAD, Africa Finance Corporation to bridge funding gap for private sector projects Addis Ababa, 29 March 2007 --- A new private-sector-led regional investment bank, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) which begins operation in April, will bridge the massive funding gap required for the development of Africa's key economic sectors, Prof. Charles Soludo, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, the promoter of the project, said today in Addis Ababa.
	New Effort to Improve Road Safety in Africa February 16, 2007 -- African Ministers responsible for Health and Transport resolved during the African Road Safety Conference organized in Accra from 5 to 7 February 2007, to work together to stop the growing epidemic of death and injuries on roads. In a declaration issued at the end of the meeting, the ministers reaffirmed road safety as a key development priority. “Accra Declaration”
	Experts to develop a holistic NEPAD strategy for capacity building in Africa February 05, 2007 A three-day technical meeting on capacity development strategy for Africa opens tomorrow in Addis Ababa, as a follow-up to a workshop held in November 2006 in Johannesburg, where experts developed a common understanding of capacity gaps and development challenges in Africa.
	ECA and NEPAD Secretariat to assess status of their collaboration Addis Ababa, 27 March 2007: A high-level ECA delegation led by the Acting Deputy Executive Secretary, Ms. Josephine Ouedraogo, today left for Johannesburg for a two-day review meeting with the NEPAD Secretariat on the status of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
	Per capita electricity use in Africa is less than 2 percent, says new report by ECA’s NEPAD Unit Addis Ababa, 26 March 2007: A new publication by the NEPAD Support Unit of Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) says most African countries continue to depend on biomass for their energy use and that electricity use per capita on the continent is less than 2 per cent.
	ECA/IAEA conducts workshop on Capacity Building in Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) in Africa December 11, 2006 ECA in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is conducting a workshop, from 11-22 December 2006 on Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) for Energy/Electricity in Africa.
	Wish lists, no concrete NEPAD infrastructure projects in many areas, says Study Group 19 October 2006 - Addis Ababa: Afro Consulting Group which is assessing various short-term action plans and master plans for infrastructure development in Africa said today in Addis Ababa that there had not been any concrete NEPAD projects in their study countries over the last two and a half years.
	ECA and NEPAD Secretariat agree on a Framework for Collaboration Addis Ababa, 31 July 2006- The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the NEPAD Secretariat have agreed on a broad framework to guide future collaboration between the two organizations in a more structured and systematic manner. :: Welcome statement of the Deputy Executive Secretary :: Draft Framework [pdf format]

Assessing Regional Integration in Africa