Draft Annotated Agenda - Conference of Ministers

Abuja, Nigeria

29 and 30 March 2014 

Theme: Industrialization for inclusive and transformative development in Africa 

The Conference will open with a welcome statement by Mr. Carlos Lopes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank and Mr. Jan Eliason, United Nations Deputy Secretary General will also make opening statements.

In addition, there will be presentations by two special guests, H.E. Dr. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, and H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. President Johnson Sirleaf will present the Common African Position on the post-2015 development agenda, as endorsed by the African Union at its summit in January 2014, while President Ouattara will present a report on the need to mobilize private equity for Africa’s development.

Keynote addresses on the theme of the Conference will be made by H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria.

The opening session will be chaired by Mr. Albert Mabri Toikeusse, Chair of the outgoing Bureau of the Conference and Minister of Planning and Development, Côte d’Ivoire.

2. Election of the Bureau

The composition of the new Bureau of the Conference will be announced following consultations between the heads of delegation. The Bureau will comprise five members – one Chair, three Vice-Chairs and one Rapporteur – elected on the basis of equitable geographical representation. After making a few brief remarks, the incoming Chair will preside over the rest of the proceedings. The membership of the current Bureau is attached as an annex to the present draft annotated agenda.

3. Adoption of the agenda and programme of work

The Conference will be invited to consider and adopt the provisional agenda and programme of work, subject to such amendments as are deemed necessary.

4. High-level ministerial policy dialogue on the theme of the Conference: “Industrialization for inclusive and transformative development in Africa”

Under this item, the ministerial policy dialogue will focus on articulating concrete proposals to catalyse the implementation of industrialization frameworks, including the Action Plan for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA), and framing targeted policy options and actions for an inclusive sustainable industrialization agenda that generates decent employment opportunities and is environmentally sensitive. The dialogue will provide a platform for policymakers to articulate and build consensus around an industrial development framework that is both inclusive and transformative. The discussion will be informed by the issues paper on the theme of the Conference and the recommendations of the Committee of Experts on the theme. The dialogue will be chaired by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Nigeria.

5. High-level panel sessions

In the context of the theme of the Conference, there will be three panel sessions in which ministers, central bank governors, senior officials and experts from the United Nations and other organizations, and representatives of civil society and the private sector will discuss and share their views on the following topical issues related to the theme of the Conference:

• Innovation and technology transfer for enhanced productivity and competitiveness;
• Capacity and institutions for industrial development: the role of the public and private sectors;
• Industrialization for inclusive growth and job creation.

6. Special Session: Proposed mechanism on alternative sources of financing of the African Union

Under this item, the report of the High-Level Panel on Alternative Sources of Funding the African Union, including the mechanisms for implementing the recommendations of the report will be discussed. A welcome address will be given by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance. Finance, planning and economic development ministers are expected to be joined by foreign affairs ministers. The session will be moderated by Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and will feature interventions from Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and a foreign affairs minister on the Executive Council of the African Union.

7. Presentation of the report of the High-level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows

Under this item, the report of the High-level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows will be presented to the Conference for consideration. The report will be presented by the Chair of the Panel, H.E. Mr. Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa.

8. Launch of the Economic Report on Africa 2014

Under this item, the Economic Report on Africa 2014 will be launched, followed by a brief discussion. The Report uses 11 country case studies to assess the critical ingredients for spurring Africa’s industrialization – innovative institutions, effective processes and flexible mechanisms – and structural transformation. The report argues that successful industrial policy frameworks embody a dynamic and organic process that facilitates constant dialogue and strategic collaboration between Governments, the private sector and other stakeholders; high-level coordination and political support; embedded autonomy; regulatory effectiveness; and pockets of efficiency.

9. Consideration of the report and major recommendations of the meeting of the Committee of Experts

A meeting of the Committee of Experts will be held from 25 to 28 March 2014 to prepare for the Joint Annual Meetings of the Conference of Ministers. Under this item, the report of the Committee’s meeting, containing its major conclusions and recommendations, will be presented to the Conference for its consideration and adoption. The report will be presented by the Chair of the Committee of Experts.

10. Consideration and adoption of the draft ministerial statement and draft resolutions

Under this item, the Conference will consider and adopt a draft ministerial policy statement that articulates the views of the ministers on the theme of the Conference and other policy and operational issues.

11. Any other business

The Conference may wish to consider any other matter that may be brought to its attention.

12. Closing of the Conference

The Executive Secretary of ECA and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission will make brief closing remarks. The Chair of the Conference will highlight the main outcomes of the Conference and bring the meeting to a close.

13.  Closing press conference

Under this item, representatives of ECA and AUC will brief the press on the outcomes of the Conference and take questions from the press.