United Nations Economic Commission For Africa (ECA) Southern African Development Forum, 29 - 31 May 2008, Lusaka Zambia
1. As part of its multi-year programme for 2008-09 with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the ECA Office in Southern Africa convened the Southern Africa Development Forum on progress and prospects in the implementation of protocols in the sub-region. The meeting was held from the 29 - 31 May 2008 at the Golf View Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia.
2. The meeting reviewed progress towards regional integration in Southern Africa in light of the forthcoming SADC Free Trade Area and COMESA Customs Union.
3. The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Secretariat was represented at the meeting by the Director Trade Facilitation and Revenue Management Mr. Dumisani Mahlinza, who presented a paper on the progress and challenges of implementing the 2002 Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Agreement. The presentation can be found on the SACU website in the Resource Centre Tab under - Publications/Presentations.
4. Focusing on the SADC protocols and COMESA treaty provisions on trade, transport and the free movement of persons, the Forum reviewed the implementation process, evaluated the progress achieved, assessed the enforcement and monitoring mechanisms, identified challenges faced by stakeholders, and recommended strategies to facilitate smooth progress towards regional integration.
5. An issues paper highlighting key challenges in regional integration focusing on the protocols and treaty on trade, transport and movement of persons in the sub region was the basis for discussions at the Forum. The paper was complimented by presentations by expert discussants on issues such as harmonization of customs and immigration procedures, free movement of persons, transport logistics, financing regional integration, and monitoring and dispute resolution mechanisms.
6. The recommendations from the Forum focused on instruments and enforcement mechanisms for protocol implementation; institutional, financial and human capacity requirements; and on specific roles for key stakeholders in the implementation process. The recommendations will be presented to 14th Intergovernmental Committee of Experts meeting (ICE) to be held from 2 to 4 June 2008 also in Lusaka, Zambia. On this occasion the ICE membership will be expanded to co-opt other relevant Ministries comprising Ministries of trade with specific responsibilities towards the FTA.
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa (UN ECA) website.