United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

Office in South Africa: No office except the subregional arm of the ECA for Southern Africa , that is, the Lusaka-based Subregional Development Centre for Southern Africa (including South Africa).

E-mail: uneca@zamnet.zm

HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS

The ECA is the regional arm of the United Nations, mandated to support the economic and social development of its 53 Member States, foster regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. Established in 1958 and based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ECA is one of five regional economic commissions under the administrative direction of UN Headquarters. It reports directly to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) through the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning, and convenes a number of intergovernmental organs and committees.

South Africa, the founder member of the ECA, resumed formal participation in the work of the ECA at its 30th Session, encompassing the 21st Conference of Ministers, in Addis Ababa on 1 - 4 May 1995 after being expelled in 1963. South Africa has various benefits to gain from the research and organisational abilities of the ECA Secretariat and its access to UN funding and logistical support (i.a. through ECOSOC). The ECA presents an inclusive African forum and valuable research and coordination centre. Research documents already include specific references to South Africa.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS

All Government Departments.
Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)
South African Reserve Bank
Committee of Heads of Scientific Councils comprising the following Science Councils:

National Research Foundation (NRF);
Human Science Research Council (HSRC);
Mineral Technology (MINTEK);
Agricultural Research Council (ARC);
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR);
Geosciences Council;
Medical Research Council (MRC); and
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS);

RELEVANT TREATIES/PROTOCOLS ETC

Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
A biennial Conference of Ministers, the main legislative body, is attended by all Ministers of Finance, Planning and Development of the Member States. At this Conference policy matters on economic and social affairs are discussed and prioritised. All Member States are expected to be represented by their Ministers. Unfortunately, no Minister from South Africa ever attended these ministerial conferences since we rejoined the ECA in 1995.

The Conference of Ministers is advised by the Technical Preparatory Committee of the Whole and there are Sectoral Ministerial Conferences, advised by appropriate committees of officials, to assist the functioning of the Commission. All Member States are also expected to be represented by their experts at these meetings. South Africa is fairly represented by experts at this level.

The ECA is parent to the Abuja Treaty calling for the harmonization and rationalization of regional groupings and an African Economic Community. The possibility of an African Economic Community, and perhaps an African Parliament (also mentioned in the Treaty) will have to be considered.

South Africa will have to prepare its position on the Treaty and subsequent protocols (free movement of persons, rights of residence and establishment; transport and communications; rules of origin; customs cooperation; industry; and on relations between the African Economic Community and subregional economic communities).

GENERAL COMMENTS

During the past four years South Africa has become cumulatively more involved in the ECA. Mutually beneficial visits are now taking place, especially at the technical level in the areas of science and technology, information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, finance, food security, good governance, gender affairs, agriculture, fisheries, nuclear technology, energy, mining, road safety, transport, civil aviation, environmental protection, tourism, trade and regional integration.

Research findings are being exchanged and South Africa is addressing years of backlog in this respect. The ECA maintains a well-stocked library and here again South Africa has expanded the South African library titles by way of donation, subscription or mailing lists.

While technical cooperation at the senior official and NGO levels is expanding, participation at policy level has been very disappointing and no Minister has attended the Commission Ministerial meetings held annually until now and biennially from 1998 onward. The Commission meeting lays down policy directives for the running of the ECA during the year ahead. South Africa's absence sends out a noncommittal message in respect of the African Renaissance and is partly attributable to the fact that no established one specific political officer bearer has so far accepted overall responsibility for South Africa's role in African multilateral economic development, especially in the African Economic Community.

On 12 August 1999, Dr KY Amoako, the Executive Secretary of the ECA, held discussions with the State President regarding the concept of an African Development Forum process, and for the theme of the first Forum (to take place in Addis Ababa from 25-28 October 1999), "The Challenge to Africa of Globalization and the Information Age". The President was asked by the Executive Secretary to open the Forum. Dr Amoako also met the Minister of Communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, to discuss the possible involvement of her Department in the forthcoming Forum. Both have still to confirm their participation in the Forum.