WHERE: Durban International Conference Center (DICC)

 

 

South Africa / 18^th Conference of African Ministers of Industry (CAMI-18)

 

DURBAN, South-Africa, October 20, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 18^th Conference of African Ministers of Industry (CAMI-18)

 

Theme:     ”the Acceleration of Industrial Development of Africa – the need for Value Addition and Industrial Transformation”

                

DATE :          24-28 October 2008

The Conference will take place in two phases:

1. Meeting of Senior Officials: 24-25 October 2008
   
2. Meeting of Ministers: 27-28 October 2008
   

 

Durban, Republic of South Africa    

 

WHO:     The 18^th Ordinary Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Industry (CAMI-18) is being organized by the Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and hosted by the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

 

WHY :     Given Africa’s quest to occupy its rightful position in the global economy, CAMI has resolved to undertake collaborative initiatives designed to strengthen industrial production and promote economic growth through achieving rapid economic diversification and using industrialization as a dynamic force.

 

 

OBJECTIVE :     The main objective of the Conference is to bring together African Ministers of Industry to examine, discuss, and adopt the strategy for the implementation of the Plan which was adopted during the Summit of Heads of State and Government in February 2008. In addition, the Conference will solicit the inputs and support from the private sector for the successful implementation of the strategy for the accelerated industrial development of Africa.

 

 

 

 

EXPECTED OUTCOME:

 

• The Conference is expected to further reaffirm the commitments of the African Ministers of Industry to the advancement of the industrialization course of the continent by adopting the Implementation Strategy of the Plan of Action. In addition, it will solicit the inputs and support of the private sector.
  
• Member States and regional Economic Communities (RECs) will have a better understanding of the implications of adopting the “implementation Strategy” and will be able to identify the challenges that face the continent.
  
• The Ministers will agree on common objectives, commitments, and collective actions as well as specific programmes for the practical implementation of the Plan of Action.
  

 

 

 

 

PARTICIPANTS

 

• African Ministers of Industry;
  
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO);
  
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA);
  
• Regional Economic Communities (RECs);
  
• Partner organizations;
  
• African Investment Houses;
  
• Union of African Chamber of Commerce;
  
• African Development Banks;
  
• Regional Chambers of Commerce; and
  
• Officials of the African Union Commission.
  
• BACKGROUND :
  
•  
• Unlike other parts of the world, Africa is the richest continent in terms of natural and mineral resources, including many industrial and agricultural resources, which can serve as the engine of economic growth and development if efficiently and equitably utilized. However, in spite of all these resources poverty remain widespread in Africa because these resources are exported in the raw form, with little or no local value addition. While Africa’s natural resources have promoted the industrial growth and development of other countries and regions of the world, Africa remains industrially under-developed, and the economies structurally weak and heavily dependent on the primary sectors.
  
•  
• Therefore, the challenge facing Africa today is how to transform the economy from a primary resource dependent continent to a more dynamic and diversified industrial economy. The continent must take advantage of the new opportunities offered by globalization by preparing enterprises, putting in place policies for upgrading, developing human resources, strengthening its capacities for innovation and by acknowledging the benefits of industrialization.
  
•  
• Since 2003, the Commission of the African Union has taken, within the framework of the Constitutive Act and the Abuja Treaty, the responsibility of promoting regional integration and economic development of the continent. In addition, African leaders have in recent years shown commitment to the industrialization of the continent in both short and long-term, and have taken a number of major initiatives to meet the challenges of development as evidenced by their decision to dedicate the January 2008 Summit to the theme: “industrialization of Africa.” Dedicating the Summit to this theme shows the great importance and recognition African leaders attach to industrial development in the continent.
  
•  
• In pursuant of this commitment, the 10^th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of January 2008 held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, endorsed the framework that forms the basis for the implementation of the Plan of Action that was developed during the First Extra-Ordinary Session of the African Ministers of Industry held in Midrand, South Africa, from 24 to 27 September 2007. The Assembly also mandated the Commission of the African Union, in collaboration with development partners, to speedily implement the Plan of Action for the accelerated industrial development of Africa.
  
•  
• The Conference of African Ministers of Industry (CAMI) is the highest political forum where issues relating to industrial
  

development of Africa are discussed. CAMI was inaugurated in 1971 by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Conference is organized every two years and brings together policy makers and industrial experts to deliberate on industrial policies and programmes and, where necessary, agree on common positions on issues of relevance to Africa.

 

 

For more information about the 18^th Conference of African Ministers of Industry (CAMI-18), consult the AU website: www.africa-union.org

 

 

 

 

CONTACTS :

 

• Mr. Hussein Hassan Hussein,
  

Head of Industry,

African Union Commission,

P.O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Tel: +251 11

Fax: +251 11 551 046.

Email: husseinh@africa-union.org

 

 

 

• Mr. Ayoup Zaid Elrashdi,
  

Senior Policy Officer Industry,

African Union Commission,

P.O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Tel: +251 11 551 0917 Ext 365.

Fax: +251 11 551 046.

Email: ayoupzaid@africa-union.org

 

Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou

Information Officer

Division of Communication and Information

African Union Commission

Mob. (+251) 911 3611 85

Yamboue@africa-union.org / estazaa@yahoo.fr

 

•  

 

SOURCE : African Union Commission (AUC)