Opening remarks by the Outgoing Chairman of the bureau of 28th meeting of committee of experts of the ECA conference of African ministers of finance, planning and economic development

Abstract

Our meeting this year is taking place at a time of significant global uncertainty as the world is in the midst of the worst financial and economic crisis since the Great Depression. The crisis could not have come at a worse time for Africa, as it undermines the significant progress made in recent years and worsens the impact of the food and fuel crises suffered by most African countries last year. As the crisis deepens, the impact on African countries is rapidly worsening, particularly in terms of rising unemployment and a widening external financing gap.