Opening address by Abdoulie Janneh UN under secretary general and executive secretary

Abstract

Opening Adress by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the Thirty-ninth session of the Commission/Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Mr. Janneh, on his statement outlined that, of the Union. the theme of this year's conference, " Meeting the challenge of employment in Africa ", which provides a useful opportunity to center stage and focus on an issue that is essential to Africa's quest to achieve the MDGs. we now need to further refine the Commission's programme priorities to avoid duplication, promote complementarities, eliminate inconsistencies and redress benign neglect of important sectors. ECA's work will be focused on two main areas which are (i) Promoting regional integration; and (ii) meeting Africa's special needs and challenges; to support the Africa Union and to help achieve the NEPAD priorities.