African Economists Meet At UN-Backed Conference In Tunis
New York, Nov 12 2008 11:10AM
Economists and policymakers from across Africa have gathered today in the Tunisian capital for the start of a three-day
United Nations-backed conference designed to boost the continent’s economic performance.
The Third African Economic Conference, jointly organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African
Development Bank, will focus on the theme of “Globalization, Institutions and Economic Development of Africa.”
The Tunis conference’s aim is to allow participants to exchange ideas about the latest research and information on
economic issues, particularly the impact of the current global financial crisis on Africa, according to a press release
issued by ECA this week.
The commission’s Executive Secretary Abdoulie Janneh is among the high-level figures scheduled to address the joint
opening session of the conference and the ministerial forum.
Africa has enjoyed higher economic growth this decade than it did in the 1980s and 1990s, thanks in part to high
commodity prices, especially oil, better economic policies implemented by national governments across the continent and
the end of hostilities in several countries.
But the global financial crisis, particularly its impact on international credit markets, means the economic outlook for
Africa remains uncertain, ECA stressed.
ENDS