The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the Government of Ghana organized a Post-Cancun Expert Group Meeting for African Trade Negotiators and Officials on 28 - 29 November 2003, in Accra, Ghana.
The two-day meeting was attended by K.Y. Amoako, the Executive Secretary of ECA, Hon. Alan Kyerematen, Ghana's Minister of Trade and Industry, African ambassadors accredited to the World Trade Organization (WTO), trade negotiators and officials based in Geneva and national capitals, as well as trade experts from selected institutions around the world. The meeting conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the implications for Africa of the collapse of WTO Ministerial talks at Cancun; refined strategies for future negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda; and identified immediate research needs of African countries in the context of these negotiations.
In his closing remarks to the conference, Mr K.Y. Amoako, congratulated participants for holding intensive and intellectually charged discussions, which resulted in the adoption of a strategy document titled: "Fulfilling the Doha Development Agenda: A Road Map for Future Negotiations." Amoako underscored the importance of the deliberations by saying: "We cannot finance development, foster economic growth and meet the Millennium Development Goals unless we are part of international trade." Amoako assured delegates of ECA's continued support of their work in negotiating favourable trade terms for Africa.
In his closing remarks to the meeting, Hon. Alan Kyerematen commended the delegates for adopting a practical, imaginative and proactive approach to the WTO talks, and said: "After taking part in the first two sessions of the meeting, I became convinced that the discussions were based on sound analyses and what we have been able to do will here will help the continent's preparation for the December 15 WTO General Council meeting."
In their deliberations, the experts and officials underscored the importance of urgently reviving the WTO talks and said the continent should continue pursuing its goals in a spirit of openness and cooperation. This, they said, is the only way to ensure that the Doha Development Agenda is realized, which will provide innumerable benefits for the continent.
Experts deliberated at length on the topic of agriculture, which is the most important sector for Africa in terms of employment, GDP and export earnings. The meeting also reviewed the Cotton Sectoral Initiative, which is considered critical for jump-starting the current round of talks. Other areas discussed include market access for non-agricultural products and the Singapore Issues of investment, trade facilitation and government procurement.
BACKGROUND:
The General Council of the WTO will meet for the first time since the collapse of the Cancun Ministerial meeting, on December 15 in Geneva. This experts meeting was part of Africa's preparation for the General Council talks.
