PROVISIONAL ANNOTATED AGENDA

Ad-Hoc Expert Group Meeting on Financing Regional Integration in Africa

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
6 - 7 April 2004

1. Opening of the meeting

Opening statement by Mr. Hakim Ben Hammouda, Director of the Trade and Regional Integration Division (TRID)

2. Adoption of agenda and programme of work

The Meeting will proceed with the agenda, after comments, if any.

3. Session 1: Perspectives on the issue of Financing Regional Integration in Africa

Under this agenda item, TRID will provide the context of the issue of financing Regional Integration in Africa, followed with discussion.

The World Bank perspective on the issue of financing Regional Integration in Africa will be presented followed with discussion.

4. Session 2: Presentation of the Report Entitled "The AU's Experience with Financing Regional Integration in Africa"

Under this agenda item, a report by an ECA Consultant entitled "The AU's experience with Financing Regional Integration in Africa" will be presented and thereafter discussed.

5. Session 3: Presentation of the Report Entitled "Feasibility Study of a Continental Self-Financing Mechanism to Strengthen the AU"

Under this agenda item, a report by an ECA Consultant entitled "Feasibility Study of a Continental Self-Financing Mechanism, to Strengthen the AU" will be presented and thereafter discussed.

6. Session 4: REC s' Experiences of Financing Regional Integration

Selected RECs will make presentations on their experiences in the area of self-financing mechanisms, and other means of financing their activities, highlighting best practices and particular weaknesses, followed with discussion.

7. Session 5: Other Experiences of Financing Regional Integration

Under this agenda item, representatives from integration blocs outside Africa, such as the EU will make presentations on their respective integration financing mechanisms.

The role of the private sector in financing regional integration will also be presented, by the Southern African Enterprise Network (SAEN) and thereafter discussed.

TRID will make a presentation on financing Regional Public Goods, such as peace and security, which will be followed with a discussion.

8. Session 6: Way Forward of Financing Regional Integration in Africa

Under this agenda item, the meeting will draw key conclusions and recommendations on best approaches for financing Africa's regional integration in the context of the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities. These conclusions and recommendations would then be taken on board in the revision of the commissioned study on the continent-wide self-financing mechanism.

9. Closing of the meeting

Under this agenda item, the Director of the Trade and Regional Integration Division will make a few closing remarks.