The UN Economic Commission for Africa to establish a network of trade and environment experts in North Africa

Abstract

The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is in the process of establishing a network of policy makers, researchers, academia, civil society and private sectors representatives dealing with trade and environment issues in North Africa Region. The creation of this network was announced last week by Ms. Amal Nagah Elbeshbishi, Regional Adviser on Trade at ATPC, during the third edition of the Forum for Development in North Africa, which took place from 29 to 31 October 2009 in Rabat (Morocco). The objective of the Trade and Environment Experts Network in North Africa is to build a critical mass of resource persons in the sub region and provide them with a framework for policy-oriented exchanges of views and information on linkages between environmental protection and trade barriers. The flow of information within the network is expected to enhance the proactive formulation of coherent trade and environment policies, by raising awareness on the environmental implications of global trade and the impact of trade liberalization on environment in the sub region.