An extraordinary session of the Conference of the African Union Ministers of Trade kicked off on Wednesday in Addis Ababa.

"The conference will discuss in detail documents [being prepared in advance of] the launch of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) negotiations in 2015 in line with the roadmap that was adopted by the Summit of Heads of States and Government in January 2012," the African Union Commission said in a statement.

"The meeting will also consider reports on Africa's response and implications of the Bali Agreement and Africa's assessment studies on AGOA [Africa Growth and Opportunity Act] Preparations for CFTA Negotiations," the statement read.

The six-day meeting is expected to discuss the CFTA's objectives, the principles that will guide negotiations for the free trade area, and the institutional arrangements needed to conduct negotiations.

The meeting is also expected to tackle the work plan for the African Union Commission and the CFTA's Continental Task Force in advance of the start of negotiations.

The extraordinary session will provide member states with the opportunity to assess the AGOA's achievements and failures.