Ambassadors of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Eligible member states in the United States of America in partnership with other major stake-holders (the African Union Permanent Representation Mission to the United States, Director for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management at the World Bank, and Representatives of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)) have begun reviewing their activities and plans in preparation for the 12th AGOA forum, scheduled for summer this year in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

The review which started today May 30th, 2013 is taking place at the World Bank J Building Room 1- 080 on 701 18th Street NW Washington DC 20006 will end tomorrow May 31st 2013.

Organized by African Union Commission, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Ambassador’s group, this mid- term review is to make adequate preparations for the 12th AGOA Forum with a view to developing a common African position on the future of Africa/US trade and economic relations.

According to Ethiopia’s Ambassador H.E Mr. Girma Birru of African Ambassadors group in Washington, the theme for this year’s summit is “Sustainable Transformation through Trade and Technology”.

He gave a brief synopsis of the two days review, and said the agenda for the first day will see Ambassadors and partners deliberate on election of regional representatives, presentation of strategic paper on the future of the Africa-US Trade and Economic cooperation, discussion on regional integration and Trade Division, presentation of the theme and the status of preparations of 12th AGOA Forum, post 2015 Examining possible scenarios for AGOA’S future, presentation on economic Affairs, presentation and deliberation on report of the African Ambassador’s working group, presentation by the co-chair of the Economic Development Committee that will be coupled with discussion on common African position in engagement with the United States.

Having been able to effectively lobby for the extension of the third country fabric provision as directed by the Kigali declaration, and successfully securing of its extension, the AGOA Ambassadors Group has now focused its attention to engaging with the United States partners to work towards the extension of AGOA, beyond its expiration in 2015.

AGOA was enacted in 2000 with a view to promoting economic development and reforms for Africa as well as increasing access and opportunities for United States investors and businesses in Africa. It provides duty-free and largely quota –free access to the US market for 1835 products in addition to the 4600 products under the generalized system of preferences since 2000.

AGOA has been amended five times at the requests of beneficiary countries in order to mainly increase product coverage, extend the time frames for its operation and for some of its provisions including the third fabric one.

Presently, forty one African Countries are eligible under AGOA.

Speaking during the opening of the two days review, the Ethiopian Ambassador said the Ambassador’s Group has given this issue the utmost importance it deserves and has formed a working Group of Ambassadors , representing each region of the African continent to brainstorm and develop ideas to help engage with the United States side with one voice 

In addition, the Group has requested through the African Union Mission in Washington for UNECA to undertake studies which will assist in developing a common position.

“It is against this backdrop, therefore, that we will hear in the course of this day the report of the Ambassadors Group and the presentation on the studies graciously conducted by the AUC/UNECA.” Said H.E Mr. Girma Birru.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States Ambassador Amina S. Ali described the efforts of Africa Ambassador’s group “a valuable support and effective contribution towards the preparation of the pending AGOA Summer summit.”

She reiterated that Africa and the United States have common stakes and interests in reinforcing their new dynamic partnership, based on mutual interests, and said African Union Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry Her Excellency Fatima Haram Acyl are strongly committed to the enhancement of US/Africa strategic partnership in trade and investment that will promote sustainable growth in Africa.

She recalled the opening of the AU Mission to the United States in 2006 and said since then the office has spared no effort to support the African Diplomatic Corps to advance African Trade and Investment interests and priorities: particularly through AGOA.Ambassadors of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Eligible member states in the United States of America in partnership with other major stake-holders (the African Union Permanent Representation Mission to the United States, Director for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management at the World Bank, and Representatives of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)) have begun reviewing their activities and plans in preparation for the 12th AGOA forum, scheduled for summer this year in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

The review which started today May 30th, 2013 is taking place at the World Bank J Building Room 1- 080 on 701 18th Street NW Washington DC 20006 will end tomorrow May 31st 2013.

Organized by African Union Commission, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Ambassador’s group, this mid- term review is to make adequate preparations for the 12th AGOA Forum with a view to developing a common African position on the future of Africa/US trade and economic relations.

According to Ethiopia’s Ambassador H.E Mr. Girma Birru of African Ambassadors group in Washington, the theme for this year’s summit is “Sustainable Transformation through Trade and Technology”.

He gave a brief synopsis of the two days review, and said the agenda for the first day will see Ambassadors and partners deliberate on election of regional representatives, presentation of strategic paper on the future of the Africa-US Trade and Economic cooperation, discussion on regional integration and Trade Division, presentation of the theme and the status of preparations of 12th AGOA Forum, post 2015 Examining possible scenarios for AGOA’S future, presentation on economic Affairs, presentation and deliberation on report of the African Ambassador’s working group, presentation by the co-chair of the Economic Development Committee that will be coupled with discussion on common African position in engagement with the United States.

Having been able to effectively lobby for the extension of the third country fabric provision as directed by the Kigali declaration, and successfully securing of its extension, the AGOA Ambassadors Group has now focused its attention to engaging with the United States partners to work towards the extension of AGOA, beyond its expiration in 2015.

AGOA was enacted in 2000 with a view to promoting economic development and reforms for Africa as well as increasing access and opportunities for United States investors and businesses in Africa. It provides duty-free and largely quota –free access to the US market for 1835 products in addition to the 4600 products under the generalized system of preferences since 2000.

AGOA has been amended five times at the requests of beneficiary countries in order to mainly increase product coverage, extend the time frames for its operation and for some of its provisions including the third fabric one.

Presently, forty one African Countries are eligible under AGOA.

Speaking during the opening of the two days review, the Ethiopian Ambassador said the Ambassador’s Group has given this issue the utmost importance it deserves and has formed a working Group of Ambassadors , representing each region of the African continent to brainstorm and develop ideas to help engage with the United States side with one voice.

In addition, the Group has requested through the African Union Mission in Washington for UNECA to undertake studies which will assist in developing a common position.

“It is against this backdrop, therefore, that we will hear in the course of this day the report of the Ambassadors Group and the presentation on the studies graciously conducted by the AUC/UNECA.” Said H.E Mr. Girma Birru.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States Ambassador Amina S. Ali described the efforts of Africa Ambassador’s group “a valuable support and effective contribution towards the preparation of the pending AGOA Summer summit.”

She reiterated that Africa and the United States have common stakes and interests in reinforcing their new dynamic partnership, based on mutual interests, and said African Union Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry Her Excellency Fatima Haram Acyl are strongly committed to the enhancement of US/Africa strategic partnership in trade and investment that will promote sustainable growth in Africa.

She recalled the opening of the AU Mission to the United States in 2006 and said since then the office has spared no effort to support the African Diplomatic Corps to advance African Trade and Investment interests and priorities: particularly through AGOA.

“As we prepare the 12th AGOA forum that will take place in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, we are all focused on the future of AGOA beyond 2015. We are seeking stronger partnership and calling for sustained and predictable best interest of the the two continents.

Earlier several guests’ speakers including Mr. Mercelo Guigale Director for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management at the World Bank, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Director for Africa African Trade Policy Center/United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), presented papers on different topics in support of AGOA, while Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America Professor Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, Kenya’s Ambassador Elkanah Odembo and Mauritius Ambassador Somduth Soborun moderated different interactive sessions.

All African Embassies including Sierra Leone that are accredited to the United States of America were fully represented either by their Ambassadors, Deputy Chief of Missions or Counselor/HOC’s.

“As we prepare the 12th AGOA forum that will take place in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, we are all focused on the future of AGOA beyond 2015. We are seeking stronger partnership and calling for sustained and predictable best interest of the the two continents.

Earlier several guests’ speakers including Mr. Mercelo Guigale Director for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management at the World Bank, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Director for Africa African Trade Policy Center/United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), presented papers on different topics in support of AGOA, while Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America Professor Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, Kenya’s Ambassador Elkanah Odembo and Mauritius Ambassador Somduth Soborun moderated different interactive sessions.

All African Embassies including Sierra Leone that are accredited to the United States of America were fully represented either by their Ambassadors, Deputy Chief of Missions or Counselor/HOC’s.