Sixth joint annual meetings of the ECA conference of African ministers of finance, planning and economic development and AU conference of ministers of economy and finance

Abstract

This statement delivered by Mr. Carlos Lopes UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the Sixth Joint Annual Meetings of the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance. Mr. Lopes, on his remarks highlighted that, a changing global context with the emergence of a diversity of economic powers, the incredible demand for Africa’s commodities and the potential of a demographic dividend and rapid urbanization provides an opportunity to bring this about. Current projections show that Africa will be the largest and youngest continent in fifty years and will have become more urbanized. ECA’s objective going forward would be to work closely with member States to achieve Africa’s transformation agenda. This means that our programmes will be recalibrated taking into account our comparative advantages with particular emphasis on knowledge generation and knowledge delivery.