process to host the 12th United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) that would focus mainly on Africa's integration
into the global system.
The conference, which would be the biggest ever UN meeting to be
held in Ghana from April 20 to 25 2008 would attract about 4,000
participants worldwide under a broad theme that would soon be agreed
upon by member states.
It is the highest decision making body of UNCTAD at which member
states make assessment of current trade and development issues,
discuss policy options and formulate global policy responses as well
as draw up programme of work for succeeding four years.
Launching the process together with the Secretary General of UNCTAD,
Dr Supachai Panitchakdi in Accra, Mr Alan Kyeremanten, Minister of
Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development said initial assessment by
the organisation indicated that Ghana was on course in the
preparations.
He said to ensure the success of the conference, a three Technical
Planning Mission from UNCTAD were currently in the country to assist
in the process He announced also that a National Planning Committee
had been constituted to coordinate preparations for the conference as
well as 21 Task Teams that would undertake specific activities related
to the UNCTAD.Mr Kyeremanten said government was committed to
organising a conference with a difference come, April next year.
Dr Panitchpakdi said the choice of Ghana to host UNCTAD 12th showed
how much the country had achieved in her development efforts and also
how much interest the world was making in Africa's development.He said
the meeting would focus on key factors that would make globalisation
work well and integrate countries into the global trade system.Dr
Panitchpakdi said the meeting would not only produce statements but
also
applicable work programme on the ground adding that the focus
basically would be to make trade and investments issues most
beneficial for domestic economies.
05 March 07
