PRESS ADVISORY

ECA to hold annual Conference of Ministers in Burkina Faso in May

Addis Ababa, 7 April 2006 - The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which has its headquarters in Addis Ababa, will hold the 39 th Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso from 10 to 15 May 2006.

The theme of this year's conference is: "Meeting the challenge of employment and poverty in Africa". The focus on employment will provide an opportunity to consider policy options for effectively implementing the outcome of the 2004 African Union summit in Ouagadougou and the declaration on employment and poverty reduction adopted by African heads of state and government.

In keeping with the decision taken in 2003, ECA's conference of ministers will be held jointly with annual meetings of the African Development Bank (ADB). A joint symposium will be held on 16 May 2006 around the theme "creating an environment, at national and international level, conducive to full employment and the creation of productive employment and decent work for all leading to sustainable development."

The communication teams of ECA and the ADB, along with the Burkina Faso national organizing committee (press and media division) will facilitate the work of the press. A press centre will be available at "Ouaga 2000" where the ECA conference of ministers and the ADB annual meetings will be held.

Press accreditation for journalists in Burkina Faso will be handled jointly with the national organizing committee.

For more information, contact:

-Some Sylvestre: 226 70 26 90 96

-Sophia Denekew and Meron Aberra tel: 251 11 5445098/ 5443098

fax: 251 11 5510365

email: ecainfo@uneca.org