Workshop for the African Group Countries on: WTO NAMA Negotiations on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBS) – Nairobi, Kenya 12 – 14 April 2010

Addis Ababa, 19 March 2010 (ECA) - The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is organizing a workshop for the African Group in the WTO on NAMA Negotiations on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). It will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from April 12th – 14th, 2010.

The workshop aims to bring together, the wealth of expertise sitting in various African regional economic communities (RECs) and capitals on NTB issues to analyse proposals currently annexed to the Non Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) draft modalities of December 2008. Working closely with Geneva based negotiators, trade officials from African capitals, as well as experts from the RECs and international organizations dealing with NTBs will examine the current NTBs proposals and make suggestions on Africa’s position. Ultimately, the meeting will come up with a strategy for Africa's effective participation in the NTB negotiations.

Attached below is the concept note for the workshop that fully outlines the context and background of the workshop.

:: Concept Note