Africa 's Region Adopts Recommendations for the Global Review of the Almaty Programme of Action

Addis-Ababa- 27-June-2008-ECA-The African Regional Review Meeting of the Almaty Programme of Action ended last week in Addis Ababa 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.

The closing ceremony was chaired by Mr. Cheick Sidi Diarra, UN Under Secretary General, Special Advisor on Africa and High Representative of Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS) and by Mr. Emmanuel Nnadozie, Officer in charge of the Nepad and Regional Integration Division, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of ECA. Hon. Ejua Simon, Minister of State for Works and Transport in charge of Transport ( Republic of Uganda ) was also in attendance.

This Regional Review Meeting is part of the preparations for the Global Review Meeting which is scheduled in October 2008 at the 63 rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York .

The Addis Ababa Review Meeting adopted a set of recommendations to address the priority areas defined in the Almaty Programme of Action: Summary of Recommendations