Addis-Ababa: The Fifty-seventh session of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
The Fifty-seventh session of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 22 to 28, 2025. This session will include the annual meeting of the African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. The main theme of the event will be “Advancing the Implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Proposing Transformative Strategic Actions”, with in-depth discussions on how to accelerate economic integration in Africa through the AfCFTA.
Event Details:
- Expert Committee Meeting (February 22-24, 2025): The session will begin with a meeting of experts, where technical discussions will take place regarding the implementation of the AfCFTA and other key economic initiatives.
- Parallel Events (February 25-26, 2025): These events will focus on specific topics such as digitization, technology, food security, and energy transformation — critical areas for Africa’s sustainable economic development.
- Ministerial Segment (February 27-28, 2025): This segment will feature high-level political dialogues, roundtable discussions, and the annual Adebayo Adedeji Conference, addressing economic, planning, and infrastructure transformation issues in Africa.
Key Objectives:
- Promote regional integration by strengthening the implementation of the AfCFTA, a major initiative aimed at improving intra-African trade.
- Discuss the impact of digitization and new technologies to drive African economies, while addressing challenges related to food security and the energy transition.
- Propose transformative strategic actions for Africa, considering current challenges and future opportunities.
This event will bring together ministers, experts, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders to define policies and concrete actions aimed at achieving sustainable and inclusive economic development in Africa.
Organizer
Established in 1958 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is one of the UN’s five regional commissions. Its mission is to promote the economic and social development of African member states, strengthen regional integration, and foster international cooperation for the continent’s advancement.
With 54 member states, the ECA serves as both the UN’s regional arm in Africa and a key player within the continent’s institutional landscape. It mobilizes resources to address Africa’s priorities.
Core Functions of the ECA
The ECA contributes to the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 through three essential functions:
- Convening: Creating intergovernmental regional platforms to establish common policies and action frameworks.
- Think Tank: Producing multisectoral analyses that strengthen links among the pillars of sustainable development and encourage policy innovation.
- Operational: Providing strategic support to member states upon request, in collaboration with the UN system.
Mission and Strategic Orientations
The ECA’s mission is to advance an autonomous and prosperous Africa, guided by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. This mission focuses on five strategic priorities, including enhancing the ECA’s role as a knowledge hub, promoting policies for economic diversification, and advocating for Africa’s voice in global governance.
The ECA is led by an Executive Secretary, supported by two Deputy Executive Secretaries, coordinating actions towards a sustainable and inclusive Africa.
