Marrakech (Morocco), March 25, 2019 - The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the Government of Morocco, launched this Monday in Marrakech, Morocco, a publication commemorating the 60th anniversary of the organization.
The launch was led by the Minister of Economy and Finance of Morocco, Mohamed Benchaaboun, and ECA’s Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe in the presence of several African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, ECA staff and invited guests.
Entitled: "1958-2018 ECA: 60 YEARS IN STAGE WITH AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT", the publication reveals the “ECA’s privileged history, made possible by the confidence of the leaders on our continent, the hospitality of our host country and the confidence of young men and women who shape our thinking, challenge our views and push us to stay in step with an open, free, integrated and fair Africa," says Ms. Songwe in the forward.
Presenting the book at a gala dinner organized by the government of Morocco, the Director of the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane hailed the publication as “a journey filled with content and images, through 60 years of the existence of ECA and the continent's development impact.” It highlights each decade and the Commission's flagship programs.
According to the Director of IDEP, each decade is an important component of the Commission. Elaborating further she said: "The first decade focused on institutional strengthening with the creation of regional offices, access to finance with the creation of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and capacity building with the creation of IDEP. The second decade pinpoints cooperation and economic integration. The third decade centres on the formulation of collective responses to crises. The fourth decade zooms in on governance and the human dimension of development. The fifth decade focused on adapting to a changing institutional landscape and strengthening partnerships. Finally, the sixth decade has concentrated on integration into the global economy."
The launch of the publication commemorating the 60th anniversary of ECA, took place on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, held on the theme: Fiscal policy, trade and the private sector in the digital era: a strategy for Africa
Download it here: https://www.uneca.org/publications/1958-2018-eca-%E2%80%93-60-years-step-african-development
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org