AGOA Forum 2012 Washington - Programme details
The 2012 AGOA Forum takes place in Washington DC in the week beginning 11 June 2012, and brings together civil society, private sector and government stakeholders from across Africa and the United States. Most of the programme details have been finalised and an overview of the key events is provided below.
Monday and Tuesday, June 11-12, 2012. Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa’s 2012 US-Africa Forum, on “Farming Is a Business: Strengthening Linkages and Skills to Transform Africa’s Food Systems.” The forum will examine Africa’s agricultural development and food systems, assess the transformations currently underway, and envision the changes that are likely to occur in the next decade and beyond. This is the fourth annual Forum.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Brookings Institution’s Africa Growth Initiative program, which is focused on enhancing trade between US-Africa as well as gauging the economic impact of AGOA’s expiration in 2015 and 3rd country fabric in September 2012. This program will be closely coordinated with the civil society program taking place at the Woodrow Wilson Center.
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 12-13, 2012. AGOA Forum’s Civil Society program at the Woodrow Wilson Center. The forum will examine civil society’s role in legislative reforms, regional integration and bilateral trade facilitation efforts, diversifying imports, technical assistance and capacity building, engaging the Diaspora, public-private partnerships, youth entrepreneurship, and empowering women entrepreneurs in AGOA . Twenty-seven civil society representatives from Africa will participate in the four days of activities in Washington, D.C.
Thursday and Friday, June 14-15, 2012. 11th AGOA Trade Policy Forum, to be held in Washington, DC. The U.S. Department of State, in conjunction with several U.S. Government agencies, will host the eleventh annual U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Forum, commonly known as the AGOA Forum, June 14-15, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the U.S. Government’s signature trade initiative with sub-Saharan Africa, and is the parent legislation of the Forum. The AGOA Forum brings together over 600 participants, including senior U.S. and African officials, as well as U.S. and African members of the private sector and civil society. AGOA represents a progressive U.S. trade and investment policy toward the continent working to reduce barriers to trade, increase diversified exports, create jobs, and expand opportunities for Africans. AGOA provides trade preferences to 40 sub-Saharan African countries that are making progress in economic and political reforms.
Monday-Wednesday June 18-20, 2012. Corporate Council on Africa’s US–Africa Infrastructure Conference in Washington, DC. Its theme -- Foundations for Economic Growth -- will highlight investment opportunities in Africa especially renewable energy and irrigation. This includes 'doing business' forums relating to individual countries, discussion workshops, and high level plenary sessions. The conference will include a small business program designed to encourage US businesses to explore Africa as a new market and to engage in successful partnerships. The program also engages African SMEs in exporting regionally and internationally.
Wednesday and Thursday, June 20-21, 2012. US State Department US-Africa Business Conference in Cincinnati, OH. The US-Africa Business Conference expands on the AGOA Forum by showcasing US business expertise to African governments and highlights African markets to US exporters and investors.
Monday and Tuesday, June 25-26. Cracking the Nut Conference. http://www.crackingthenutconference.com/