14th Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa (RCM-Africa) of United Nations agencies and organizations working in Africa in support of the African Union and the NEPAD programme

Abstract

Welcome Remarks by Carlos Lopes UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the 14th Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa (RCM-Africa) of United Nations agencies and organizations working in Africa in support of the African Union and the NEPAD programme. Mr. Lopes, on his remarks highlighted that, this year’s theme “United Nations Support to the African Union Agenda 2063” reflects the same spirit. This is in the sense that it underscores the important role that the RCM has to play in responding to emerging priorities in the continent. It moreover shows that ownership resides in the continent and the UN can only support and not drive the process. ECA has a new Capacity Development Division, which by its establishment will help to boost the resources available to the Joint Secretariat of the RCM. We envisage that it will contribute to enhancing the work of RCM clusters. The outcome of this RCM meeting would also serve to guide the preparations for that forthcoming 15th session which will be convened in Abuja in the first quarter of next year.