Draft report : sixth session of the committee on trade, regional cooperation and integration

Abstract

The Sixth Session of the Committee on Trade, Regional Cooperation and Integration was held from 13 to 15 October 2009 at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The main focus of the meeting was to consider matters pertaining to ECA’s activities in advancing the African Union’s continental agenda on economic cooperation as well as the promotion of trade within and outside Africa. In that regard, the meeting examined the progress made on regional integration in Africa and reviewed developments in intra-African trade. The meeting also examined the latest developments in the international trade arena, particularly within the context of the WTO negotiations and Africa’s economic partnership arrangements with Europe. The sixth Session of the Committee examined the issue of mainstreaming regional integration at the national level and made recommendations for enhancing implementation of Africa’s regional integration agenda accordingly. Finally the Committee reviewed the major activities undertaken during the current biennium and work priorities for 2010-2011.