Johannesburg, South Africa, 8 - 10 December 2014 - the Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO), convened a retreat, to deliberate on ways to strengthen the collaboration between the Joint Secretariat Institutions (JSIs) - the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) - and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
The Retreat was attended by representatives of AUC, AfDB and ECA, and those from the following RECs: The Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Eastern African Community (EAC), and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Also in attendance were delegates from civil society organizations, private sector, media, academia and various governments.
In his welcome address, JSSO Coordinator, Christian Diguimbaye, reiterated the recognition of the rising need for greater collaboration in Africa's development programmes, which led the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), to establish the Joint Secretariat, consisting of the JSIs, in 1989.
Diguimbaye observed that since the establishment of the Joint Secretariat, the JSIs have enhanced cooperation among them, and between them and international partners. This collaboration was particularly strengthened with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the JSIs in 2010, which provided a concrete framework for the coordination and harmonization of activities, especially through the establishment of JSSO. As a result, there has been increased progress and the realisation of goals in specific development strategies and programmes being co-implemented by the JSIs, including Agenda 2063, Africa Mining Vision, Joint Youth Employment Initiative for Africa and the NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (IPPF), among others.
He noted that the JSIs now intend to bolster their collaboration with RECs, in recognition of their vital role in the overarching common objective of Africa's integration and development agenda.
The opening speeches of the retreat were delivered by M.S. Kaloko, Commissioner of Social Affairs, representing the Deputy Chairperson of AUC, the Deputy Executive Secretary of ECA, Abdalla Hamdok and Désiré Vencatachellum, on behalf of the Vice President of AfDB.
Kaloko observed that despite key plans for Africa's structural transformation, for instance Agenda 2063, the continent's progress towards the realization of the African Economic Community is unsatisfactory. Therefore, efforts need to be boosted to address institutional challenges in regional integration schemes. Stressing AUC's commitment to collaboration, Kaloko requested retreat participants to provide input towards improving the effectiveness of JSSO in facilitating cooperation between the JSIs and RECs, in order to meet Africa's developmental challenges.
Hamdok reiterated the need for the retreat to review challenges in regional integration and propose strategies for countering them. He observed that successful regional integration processes require improved performance of RECs and reinforced collaboration between them and JSIs. Therefore, he urged the participants to provide specific, time-bound and concrete recommendations. He also noted that the retreat would offer guidance to JSSO's proposed 3-year Strategic Framework, which is aimed at intensifying co-ordinated efforts between JSIs and RECs.
Vanchatachelum emphasized the importance of co-ordination and harmonization of programmes towards achieving development objectives in Africa. He highlighted the importance of regional integration towards creating larger, more attractive markets, and overcoming the challenges of fragmented economies. He noted that since RECs are the building blocks for Africa's integration, they are core partners of JSIs' activities. Therefore, he urged the retreat participants to examine and address key aspects towards enhancing the linkages between JSIs and RECs and the entry-points for boosting regional integration.
Other retreat sessions focused on topics such as emerging issues and challenges in implementing regional integration in Africa, a report on accelerating Africa's economic integration and development through greater collaboration between JSIs and RECs, presentations by RECs on prospects and challenges in regional integration, and the AfDB Regional Integration Strategy (2014-2023). The proposed JSSO 3-Year Strategy Framework and Communication Strategy were also discussed.
These presentations facilitated in-depth discussions on the prospects and challenges in implementing regional integration initiatives. The delegates observed that, to varying degrees, RECs have made progress towards this goal. They also discussed at length the need to create synergies and the measures required to strengthen effective collaboration between JSIs and RECs, so as to address constraints towards regional integration, and advance Africa's development agenda.
These deliberations led to specific recommendations for JSIs and JSSO, which include the need to ensure greater alignment of the programmes and activities of the JSIs and RECs. Participants also proposed regular meetings between JSIs and RECs. They also agreed that JSSO should lead effective communication between them, including the sharing of experiences and good practices on regional integration. It The meeting concurred that a process of sensitization of critical stakeholders, such as members of parliament, non governmental organizations, trade unions, women and youth, on regional integration matters is needed, through media, training and education programmes. The JSIs were asked to enhance the capacity of JSSO to effectively coordinate, follow-up and evaluate the implementation of joint initiatives.
