Conakry, 23 November 2015 (ECA) - The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Mr. Carlos Lopes, undertook an official visit to the Republic of Guinea on November 22-23, at the invitation of its Head of State, His Excellency Professor Alpha Condé. This visit enabled them to discuss subjects of mutual interest between Guinea and the ECA on the economic and social development of the country and the review of the progress of support underway as well as to reflect on potential strategies aiming at initiating the structural transformation of the Guinean economy.
During the course of his stay, Mr. Lopes was received in audience by President Condé who “praised the efforts made by the ECA to ensure the structural transformation of African economies in general and that of Guinea in particular”. He then invited him “to persevere in this direction which undeniably will open new perspectives for Africa to fully ensure its development”.
This audience, which took place in the presence of several members of the Government of the Republic of Guinea, enabled Mr. Lopes to proceed with a restitution of the discussions of previous sessions held with the members of the Government and to reaffirm certain conclusions. Thus for Mr. Lopes “the ECA has been and will always be alongside the Government of Guinea in order to provide support in all of its efforts aiming at the structural transformation of its economy and consequently the improvement of the living conditions for the men and women of Guinea”.
Shortly before this audience, Mr. Lopes held a meeting at the official residence, the Sékhoutouréya Palace, with several members of the Government. This meeting enabled him to become familiar with the progress of ongoing support as well as to discuss with them potential strategies likely to assist in the formulation and implementation of an economic and social development plan through the structural transformation of the Guinean economy.
To allow for a better implementation of the cooperation between Guinea and the ECA, the meeting determined a certain number of activities where a special emphasis should be placed in terms of follow-up actions. These are notably: (i) the activity relating to the improvement of the level of mobilisation of internal resources through the increase in the tax base; (ii) the inclusion of land policy issues in cooperation; and (iii) the strengthening of capacities in statistics.
With a view to the implementation of the conclusions of the visit, the Government of Guinea will proceed as soon as possible to determine niches in the agricultural sector which have the potential for federating and generating benefits for all sectors.
It should be noted that Mr. Lopes was accompanied during this visit by Mr. Dimitri Sanga, Director of the Sub-Regional Office for West Africa of the ECA.
Issued by:
ECA External Communications and Media Relations Section
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org