Follow - up action arising out of the inaugural conference of chief executives of ECA - sponsored regional and subregional institutions : a brief study of some host headquarters agreements of ECA- sponsored institutions

Abstract

Generally speaking, apart from the host agreements covering the early institutions sponsored by ECA namely, the African Development Bank (ADB) and the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), the host agreements in respect of the remaining ECA sponsored institutions have followed a uniform pattern. Host agreements which are intended to regulate the immunities and privileges which shall apply to the headquarters, property, communications, imports, public services and officials etc. of the institutions usually derive their existence from basic document such as the Constitutions, Statutes or Agreement establishing the institutions themselves. It is usual and indeed recommended that such basic documents should set out as far as possible or appropriate, the privileges and immunities to be accorded in respect of the institutions concerned. This has the added advantages that not only are all Member States of an institutions upon acceding to its basic document, bound to accord as appropriate, with respect to the institution the privileges and immunities set out in the basic document, but also considerably facilitates negotiations between the institution and its Member State in which the headquarters of the institution is established.