822 (XXXI) Implementation of the treaty establishing the African Economic Community strengthening regional economic communities rationalization and harmonization of the activities of regional and subregional communities

There should be a dedicated space for issues of regional integration and the way ahead for regional economic communities.

(c) Providing advisory services to Member States, regional economic communities and subregional development operators

Support to regional economic communities in implementing the New Partnership for Africa's Development has to be revitalized

12. Recognizes the important role that African regional economic communities can play in the implementation of the New Partnership, and in this regard encourages African countries and the international community to give regional economic communities the necessary support to strengthen their capacity

The subregional offices were concerned by weaknesses in coordination and by the insufficient correlation between the services of regional advisers and their own needs and those of regional economic communities.

20. Recalls that regional economic communities have a critical role to play in the implementation of the New Partnership, and encourages development partners to increase their support to enhance the capacities of these communities

OIOS observed, however, that the intensity and effectiveness of subregional office support varied considerably between offices and in regard to different regional economic communities.

At the July 2007 Accra summit the Assembly finally decided to adopt a Protocol on Relations between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities.

We will support efforts to enhance the capacity of the African Union and regional economic communities by providing programme support, in cooperation with other donors.

UNIDO is now gradually taking measures and actions together with Regional Economic Communities, Governments and the African private sector to streamline sectoral action plans and regional road maps within the sectoral priorities of NEPAD.

Based on that, subregional offices should develop practical medium term plans of action in providing support to regional economic communities (paragraph 40) (SP 04 002 009).

(i) Advisory services advisory services, upon request, to Member States and regional economic communities in relation to the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (10)

ECA and the Transport Programme were instrumental in the setting up of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Transport Coordination Committee in February 2005 to ensure proper coordination.

For example, ECA undertook an assessment in 2004 of the regional consultations it organizes with sister agencies and in close cooperation with the African Union, the NEPAD secretariat and the Regional Economic Communities in support for NEPAD.

We recognized then, as we do today, that national Governments and regional economic communities have critical roles to play in the realization and implementation of the NEPAD initiative.

However, another and perhaps the most important attainment is the increase in the regional integration component, the building of regional economic communities and ultimately the consolidation of a holistic approach to development on the basis of national ownership.

13. Supports the ongoing efforts by the African Union to improve the coordination between the New Partnership secretariat, the African Union Commission, the regional economic communities and African States

13. Supports the ongoing efforts by the African Union to improve the coordination between the New Partnership secretariat, the African Union Commission, the regional economic communities and African States

At issue, especially in Africa, is also how countries can rationalize the composition and functions of the regional economic communities to ensure that they improve trade and investment opportunities.

Support will be provided to member States and the regional economic communities in translating the priorities and objectives of NEPAD into concrete projects and programmes at the country level.

Taking note that economic globalization frequently has negative effects on disadvantaged communities and in particular on indigenous communities,

Economic Crisis and Regional Integration

The Programme will enhance integration of the regional economic communities for increased market access, remove barriers to trade, develop e business and help the beneficiary countries to diversify their export base.

In the area of infrastructure and capacity building, high priority projects have been approved by the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee to be implemented by regional economic communities.

The 1980 Lagos Plan of Action for the Development of Africa and the 1991 treaty to establish the African Economic Community (also referred to as the Abuja Treaty), proposed the creation of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as the basis for African integration, with a timetable for regional and then continental integration to follow.

Recognizing that improving women's economic status also improves the economic status of their families and their communities,

(d) Organizing regional forums for stakeholders to launch the knowledge management networks for rural communities

Participation by regional economic integration organizations

11. Also welcomes the approval by the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee of the New Partnership of priority infrastructural and capacity building projects to be implemented by the regional economic communities

13. Encourages the further integration of the priorities and objectives of the New Partnership into the programmes of the regional economic communities of Africa and other subregional and regional structures and organizations, as well as programmes in favour of the African least developed countries

In addition, work has also started in preparing a medium to long term action plan in close collaboration with the regional economic communities and in cooperation with the World Bank and the European Union.

OIOS noted that currently subregional offices have insufficient capacity to provide the framework either for knowledge sharing between Member States in their subregions or disseminating best practices between different subregions and regional economic communities.

OIOS is aware that with their limited resources and given the varying mandates of different regional economic communities, subregional offices are not able to engage all of them in a thorough and effective manner.

The plans will focus on programmes to improve economic conditions in vulnerable communities.

Economic analysis and forecasting for regional development

Speakers also noted the importance of creating networks among communities at the national, regional and international levels to help communities to support each other and learn from each other.

In doing so, they have transformed the economic and social landscape in countless communities.

(f) Provision of advisory services with respect to industrial policy development and analytical support of governmental and institutional structures in African countries, including support to the secretariats of NEPAD, the African Union and regional economic communities

Article 17 Participation by regional economic integration organizations

A new regional partnership is starting to take hold, beginning with the affected communities and their national governments.

It is carrying out economic reforms and taking measures to strengthen regional economic cooperation.

To consider expanding market size and maximizing investment opportunities by creating sub regional, regional and interregional markets through bilateral, sub regional and regional economic arrangements.

Recognizing also that improving women's economic status also improves the economic status of their families and their communities and thereby creates a multiplier effect for economic growth,

Recognizing also that improving women's economic status also improves the economic status of their families and their communities and thereby creates a multiplier effect for economic growth,