The Big Table is an initiative designed by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to promote frank dialogue between African Finance Ministers and their OECD counterparts.

The meeting is organized every year with a unique format and agenda that are designed to allow for maximum interactive dialogue, with no formal statements. The third Big Table will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 18-19 January 2003.

This year’s discussion will deepen the dialogue on the implications of the international consensus that has emerged out of Doha, the Monterrey Conference on Finance, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development and build on the outcomes of the last two Big Table meetings for the commitments that underpin Africa’s development cooperation framework.

In particular the third Big Table discussions will focus on approaches to monitoring the performance of Africa and its partners towards meeting shared goals and desired outcomes in the context of mutual accountability.

The last Big Table took place in Amsterdam in October 2001, hosted by the then Dutch Development Co-operation Minister Eveline Herfkens , and considered key issues relating to the operationalizing of the new African development framework.

The first Big Table was held at the ECA headquarters in Addis Ababa, and discussed Pro-Poor Growth Policies and the International Development Goals, lessons learned from the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) process, and Emerging Capacity Building Needs. The first Big Table is credited with placing the focus on transforming Africa's development relationship with its partners.

Summary Report of Big Table I

Summary Report of Big Table II