Regional Dimension for Transit Transport Cooperation: “Role of ECA”

1. Regional Dimension for Transit Transport Cooperation:“Role of ECA” New York, 3rd October 2008 Fifty years at the Africa development service

2. I would like first to sincerely thank his Excellency Mr. Cheick Sidi Diarra for convening this special event and to present the apologies of Mr. Abdoulie Janneh the Executive Secretary of ECA for not being able to join you here today due to exceptional circumstances. • ECA supports establishment of efficient transit transport systems in Africa through regular and extra budgetary resource activities. • ECA contribution to 5 pillars of APoA can be grouped into 3 categories: awareness raising; joint programme implementation; and capacity building Fifty years at the Africa development service

3. Awareness of Member States and RECs on the need and importance of regional transport system to interconnect the African region; enhance inter state trade; and strengthen regional integration; • Participation with partners in developing and implementing programmes; • Capacity building of member States and RECs; • Suggestions. Fifty years at the Africa development service

4. PRSP in which regional transport dimension is included. • Provide basis for budgetary provision for transport sector and emphasis on importance of transport to economic growth and attainment of MDGs. • Technical notes to RECs and Member States in view of mainstreaming regional transport in WTO negotiations.

5. practical method to monitor corridor performance as well as to monitor specific points known to be constrictions along a corridor. • co-financing observatories for data collection directed to producing and disseminating reliable statistics on the cost-efficiency of transportservices and main commodities traded. • establishment of the REC- Transport Coordination Committee (REC-TCC) to drive trade facilitation and integration along priority regional corridors.

6. The REC-TCC is promoting harmonization of technical standards across the region, such as axle load limits, vehicle and road design standards, • This contributes to safer, more efficient movement of people and goods. • Given the overlaps in REC-membership, the REC-TCC plays a catalytic role by facilitating all the RECs to share knowledge and information, at a technical level, on their transport activities especially to harmonize as much as possible the methodologies on transit activities.

7. Work together with AU, AfDB to implement NEPAD short term action plan. We also promote the missing links of the Trans African Highways. • Promote air transport liberalization policy in Africa because it is an essential mode for the landlocked countries. • Study on railways interconnection undertaken for West Africa, which is now being implemented by ECOWAS with financial support of partners.

8. Policy framework, technical assistance and financial resources to RECs. • Improve road safety situation in Africa. The African road safety congress was organized. Activities on road safety will be implemented in selected countries • SSATP is a joint programme conceived by ECA and the World Bank to promote policy that will ensure safe, reliable, efficient and affordable transport services that contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction. It is a programme of 35 African countries and financed by 10 donors countries.

9. ECA is chair of Programme and represents African interest in the Board. • ECA uses SSATP to implement activities related to the establishment of efficient transport system. • Opportunity to thank all the partners especially the EUC; France; Ireland; Norway; Sweden; The World Bank; IsDB, DFID and the AfDB for their continuous support.

10. Future works of SSATP: • Support for thematic dialogue to reduce impediments to the free movement of people and goods and Support RECs in establishing corridor management groups and observatories • Conduct Institutional capacity building, document and disseminate good practice examples in reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS • Promote road safety along selected corridors. • Provide knowledge and engage with key stakeholders to develop policies and strategies reducing costs.

11. APoA review meeting organized in Addis from 17-20 June 2008. • Several recommendations made to member States; ECA; and UN-OHRLLS, which can be classified under two categories: • (i) programme action and (ii) follow up at regional level.

12. Under programme actions the following can be recalled: • ECA and its African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) should disseminate relevant documents. • UN-OHRLLS should support efforts to raise awareness on trade facilitation as well as between the programme and the Aid for Trade Initiative • ECA, AU, AfDB, World Bank, UN-OHRLLS and other development partners should support efforts to elaborate and conclude the intergovernmental agreement on TAH. • The UN system and donor community should support African countries in promoting dialogue and sharing experiences on transit transport. • ECA and UN-OHRLLS should assist African countries and RECs in mainstreaming the APoA in national and regional Aid for Trade Action plans.

13. Suggestion 1: • The 5 Regional Commissions (RCs) should prepare a programme to be implemented as part of the development account in coordination with UN-OHRLLS.

14. Suggestion 2: • Coordination at national and sub regional levelto keep abreast with level of implementation of APoA. • Establishment of interaction among UN RCs and UN-OHRLLS including RECs and private sector with view to share experiences, support activities; sensitize and disseminate information.

15. Thank you Fifty years at the Africa development service