E I 5657 E/ CN.14/ 642

I

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA

ANNUAL REPORT

(24 February 1974 - 28 February 1975)

VOLUME I

(includes discussions and resolutions of the twelfth session/ third meeting of the Conference of Ministers)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

OFFICIAL RECORDS: FIFTY-NINTH SESSION

SUPPLEMENT No. 10

UNITED NATIONS

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA

ANNUAL' REPORT

(24 February 1974 - 28 February 1975)

VOLUME I

(includes discussions and resolutions of the twelfth session/ third meeting · of the Conference of Ministers)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

OFFICIAL RECORDS: FIFTY-NINTH SESSION

SUPPLEMENT No. 10

UNITED NATIONS New York • 1975 NOTE

Symbols of the United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. United Nations docu• ments symbols which are preced~d by the designa• tion E I CN.14 I ... indicate that the documents are issued under the au spices of the Economic Commission for Africa •

. E/ 5657 E I CN.l4/ 642 T.AilLE OF CONTENTS

Paragraphs Page

ABBREVIATIONS - vi INTRODUCTION · 1 1

PAR'r I

WORK OF THE COMMISSION SINCE 24 FEBRUARY 1974:

A. MATTERS THAT REQUIRE ACTION BY, OR ARE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COtTI~CIL 2 l

ACTIVITIES OF STJBSIDIARY BODIES 3 l

c. OTHER ACTiviTIES - 4 - 155 l

Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples 5 - 6 l Agriculture - 7 - 18 2 Economic research and planning - 19 - 34 4 Eaucation and training 35 39 6 Human settlements 40- 46 7 Industrial development - 47 - 56 8 International trade 57 - 63 10 Natural resources 64 - 91 11 Po~·ti.£~tion Centre 92 - 101 15 Pul:5ii~t,"administration 102 105 16 ,•: I Public finance and financial institutions 106 - 110 17 Sci ~;nc.e: .·and t ech!io logy 111 115 17 Soci-~l-d:evelqpment 116 - 122 18 Stati'stics· 123 - 135 19 : ,, Transp9rt, .. communications and tourism 136 - 151 21 Conferences and meetings 152 23

D. THE AFRICAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMEI~ AND PLANNING 153 - 155 23

- iii - TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont 1 d)

PART II

Paragraphs Pa~e TlrJELFTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION - THIRD MEETING OF T}E CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS

A. ATTENDANCE AND ORGANIZATION OF lnJORK - 25 Opening of the meeting 156 25 Membership and attendance 157 - 163 25 Election of officers 164 26 AGENDA 165 26 ACCOUNT OF PROCEEDINGS 166 - 511 27 AMENDMENTS TO Tlill TERMS OF REFERENCE AND THE RULE OF PROCEDURE OF THE COMMISSION~ PARTICIPATION BY NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENTS IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION 192 - 193 31 MEMBERSHIP AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION 194 - 195 32 REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECDriVE COMMITTEE - 196 - 216 32 STAFF AND ADMINISTRAIJ.1IVE QUESTIONS - 217 - 228 35 MID-TERM REVIEVJ AND APPRAISAL OF AFRICAN. PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND A REVIEW OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS AND POLICIES IN COill\ITRIES MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS (a) Programme of work for the period 1974-1975 (b) Medium-term plan for the period i976-1979 (c) Declaration and Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order MEASURES TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECLARATION, THE PROGRAMME OF ACTION AND THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE OF DEVELOPING COu.t~TRIES ON RAvJ MATERIALS, HELD IN DAKAR IN FEBRUARY 1975 ARRANGEMENTS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES 1 TRADE, AND PARTICULARLY OF DIRECT INTRA­ AFRICAN TRADE - 229 - 497 38

RELATIONS BE~WEEN THE COI~~SSION AND OTHER INTER­ NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS - 498 - 5C5 80 INTERNATIONAL vJOMEN 1 S YEAR 506 - 508 82 DATE AND PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING 509 82 REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL 510- 5ll 82

- iv - . TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cent 1 d)

PART III

RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER DECISION ADOPTED BY THE COl~ENCE OF IVIINISTERS AT ITS THIRD MEETING 83

Resolutions 253(XII) to 287(XII) 85 - 122 Other decision - 122 PART IV

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL 123 PART V

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES: MEDIUM-TERM PLAN FOR 1976-1979*

ANNEX I. MEETINGS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES HELD DURING THE PERIOD UNDER Illi"'VIE\rJ 124 IIe LIST OF OTHER MEETINGS Alv.D TRAINING COURSES HELD DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEH - 125 III. PUBLICATIONS AND PRINCIPAL DOCUMENTS ISSUED DURING. THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEw 128

* This part of the report is printed separately as volume II, document number E/CNol4/642/Add.lo

-v- AB:BREVIA. TI01'S

ACOSC.A. African Co-operative Savings and Credit Assocation ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific (countries) A:DB African l•evelopment Bank AID Agency for International Development (United States of America) ASlriEA Association for Social Work Education in Africa CAFRAD African Centre for Administrative Training and Research for Levelopment CILSS Permanent Inter-State Committee on Lrought Control in the Sahel CMF'..A Council for Mutual Economic Assistance ECA Economic Commission for Africa FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of,the United Nations IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IDEP African Institute for Economic Development and Planning ILO International Labour Organisation IMCO Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization IMP International Monetary Fund ITU International Telecommunication Union OAU Organization of African Unity OECIJ Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development STRC Scientific Technical and Research Corrmission U.DEA.C Central African Customs and Economic Union UNCTA.D United Nations Conference on Trade and Development TJNDP "Gnited Nations Development Prograffiffie UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

"GNESCO United Nations Educational 7 Scientific and 0ultural Organization UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities l:""NICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization WARDA West African Rice Development Association WFP World Food_Programme lrHPO World Intellectual Property Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization

.'i

vi INTRODUCTION

1., The present annual report of the Economic Commission for Africa covers the period from 24 February 1974 to 28 February 1975.. V It will be submitted for the consideration of the Economic and 3ocial Council at its fifty-ninth session in accordance with paragraph 17 of the terms of reference of the Commission.

·PART I WORK OF THE COMMISSION SINCE 24 FEBRUARY 1974 A. MATTERS THA.T REQJIRE ACTION BY, OR ARE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION, OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL 2. At its twelfth sessionf the Commission adopted a resolution on the inclusion of Arabic among the working languages of the Commission (see part III below, resolution 253(XII )) and1 with the object •f enabling representatives of liberation movements recognized by the Organization of African Unity to participate in the activities of the Commission, a resolution amendingthe c~mmission's rules of procedure and a resolution concerning proposed amendments to the Commission's terms of reference (see part III below, resolutions 254(XII) and 255(XII)~ The Commission also approved a draft resolution for action by the Economic and Social Council (see part IV below) ..

B.. ACTIVITIES OF SUBSIDIARY BO:DIE:l 3. :During the period from 24 February 1974 to 28 February 1975, the Commission organized meetings of the Executive Committee, the Technical Committee of Experts, the Conference of African :Demographers, the Co~~erence of African Planners and the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts for Science and Technology :Development. A list of the meetings held by these bodiesi together with further information about their officers and their reports, is contained in annex I to this report ..

C., OTHER ACTIVITIES 4o Under the programme of work of the Commission for the period 1973-1975 and in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Conference of Ministers, the Commission carried out the following activitieso

Implementation of the :Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

5. In pursuance of General Assembly resolution 262l(XXV) and Economic and Social Council resolution 1892(LVII) on the implementation of the :Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the Co~ission amended its Rules of Procedure to enable liberation movements in A~ica to participate in

its activities. Towards the same end 1 the Commission decided to forward to the Economic and Social Council, for action1 a draft resolution concerning amendmerrGs to the terms of reference of the Commission.

6. As far as direct assistance to liberation movements was concerned, the Commission prepared a programme c~vering rural development, education and training manpower planning and industry.. Agreement was being sought with OAU for the ini tiar­ tion of the programme as soon as funds became available .. I' l/. For the previous report of the Commission covering the period from 24 February 1973 to 23 February 19741 see Official Records of the Economic and Social Couricil-7 fifty-seventh session, Supplement No .. 8 (E/5471 )., - 2-

7, Tho activities of:CCA in the field of agriculture continued to be centered on the promotion of multinatio:ne.l co-oper~tion and the expansion of' intercountry trc.de in a,_:;ricul turc~.l products as a me:;.r.s of incre2.sing c:.gricultural product ion cmd i~E',rm income. Tl1e principal project executed by the Joint ECA/F£>.0 Agriculture Division

in ti1at resl)ect rel .. ted to field work in Dahomey 1 Niger and Ni:seria to identify the basis of measures to promote co-operation ·for 2..gricultural development and ending with a general analysis applicable to other African countries. The grouping of the three countries provided an opportunity for assessing the relc1.tionship which could exist between coastal and land-locked countries c.md between small and L~.rge countries.

8. The report on the project made several recommendations and principally that the co-opera,tion policy should take pL.>ce within a framework which provided equal opportunities permitting each country of the group freely to expc.md its production of crops and processed products and share in the pooled m~-.rkets of the group of countries. Similar studies were recommended for other groups of countries by -the FAO regional conference and i UNDP projec-t to assist ECA in thai; respect was being · formulP.ted.

9" Under the same project 1 a study was uncl_er-talcen jointly with the Y2.oundc UNIAT

on the production and marketing of cereals in Ch2.d 1 northern C

10. Other complementary projects concerned the structure and organization of agricultural services and livestock development. The basic objec-tive of these projects was to increase farmers' productivity and total agricultural production in Africa b3r improving agricultural insti-tutions and organizing farmers for the effective adoption of improved farm technclogy. ll. The main project relating to agricultural services improvement involved a missior to the Central African Republic to undertake a study and provide advisory servic•;J on -the organization of marketing. and training and on research and production s-truc­ tures. Other activities included th~ preparation of a final draf-t report of the case study on contemporary changes in a£;arian structure in the Ghilalo subprovince of E-thiopia and settlement projects in various parts of Ethiopia. The secretariat also continued to participate in a bilateral assistance integrated rural development project in Ghana.

12. :B,ollowing the drought in the West African Sahel, the livestock development project which was to be financed by UNDF needed to be reviewed. In the light of the request recently submitted to UNDP by the Permanent Inter-Sta-te Committee on Drou.ght Control in the Sahel (CILSS) for a project on livestock production o..nd health improvemen-t, the future programme would concentrate ·lc..rgely on tse-tse fly and trypanosomia,sis er.:J.dication with a new orientation to be given to ECA 1 s pc:.rtioip<-.tion in lives-tock projects.

13. Under -the same project the secretariat, in co-operation with -the Y2.om1de UNDAT, undertook a preliminary mission to the UDEllC countries drid Clmd for C:'.. study - 3-

on the production and. ma,rketing of livestock and meat in t~10se countries in orcler to up-date c;,nd supplement the previous studies in the s2,me field. In addition, the se cretarie..t pr.rticipe..ted in the meeting of FAO 1 s Interc;overnmental Group on Iijeat held in October 197 4 and initiated an evalw:>.tion study on the integrc.ted pork production, marketing and processinG project sponsored by the National Investment B~21k of Gh~1.na 7 witl1 emphasis on the orgc.nization of production and marketing.

14. The secretarid also pG.rticip2.ted in the esto.blishment of the Intern2..tional Livestock Centre for Africa, (ILCA) formally established in Ethiopia in April 1974· The aim of the Centre wu.s to co-ordinate and intensify n2.tion2-l research activities in livestock and organize livestock research based on ecosystems including the establishrr.c~t of pilot projects in various ecological zones.

15. During the period under revievJ1 the secretariat co-oper.J.ted with IB:riT;, ADB and IDEF in orga~ing two agricultural projects courses held at Abidjan. It also participated in vu.rious meetings related to rural development and agricultural production, among others the Seminar on Rice J3reedin.:; and Varietal Improvement r the Seminar on Rice Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Use and the Seminar on Socio­ Economic Aspects of Rice Cul tivat ion in vfest Africa organized by the Hest African Rice Levelopment Association (WARrA).

16. As publicc:.tions, the secretariat prepared the agriculture section of the Review o:.L Economic Conditions in Africa, 197 3, and the agriculture section of the Survey of Economic and Sociu.l Conditions in Africa, 1974. The secretariat was also continuing with the publication of the Agricultural Economics Bulletin for Africa with issue Noo 15 in press.

17. ,With regard to the drought in Africa, the secretariat continued to pe1rticipate in the activities of the United Nations Sp~cial Sahelian Office. The secretariat assisted in formulating project and progr~mme proposals to be implemented by the G.gencies of the United Nations system G.nd was represented at various meetinc;s held to discuss and co-ordinate the activities of the United Nations system in that field.

18. Concerning the world food shortage, the secretariat, in co-operation with b~O, prepared an African Food Development Plan which it submitted to the Executive

Committee at its eleventh meeting in June 1974. As a follow-up 1 the secretari<-'.t prepared another document on the food situation in l~frica and a programme of action in which it proposed the establishment of an African Food Council under the G.egis of OA U, with authority to raise funds and to implement progr'.mme s for increasin,-; food production in Africa. The Council was to be serviced jointly by OAU, EC!J._ and FAG and would benefit from the advice of scientific and technical organizations 2,nd institutes in Africa. In the light of the World Food Conference resolution to 8et up a World Food Council which should v-ork in close col] abor2.ti on with regi ono.l bodies, the secretariat had started discussions with both the CAU secre·c.:',rLct and the FAO Regional Office for Africa witl1 a view to submitting u. joint propos<.',l to the OiiU Assembly of Heo.ds of State and Government later in· the yea.i' for the establishment of an African Ministerial Committee on Food. - 4-

19. Lliring the period under review, the Survey of Economic Conditions in Africa

1973 1 Part I was completed and work on P~rt II was nearinG completion. The subject of the Survey was Industrialization in Africa in the past 15 years. Part I of the

Survey of Economic Conditions in Africa, 19741 was also completed and was devoted to the :nid-term review <:md c:,pprai·sal of social and economic p:3rformc:,nce in ECA member COUJ.J.tries during the Second United Nations Development Lecade. Part II of the same Survey consists of an analysis of socio-economic develOl)ment in the 41 independl developing countries of Africa in the ec:,rly 1970s.

20. The fifth session of the Conference of African Plc::.n:;:J.ers took pl2,ce at l'.ddis Ababa in June 1974· Highlights of the session included the adoption of rules of procedure for the Conference and draft recommendations for action by the Conference of Ministers at its third meeting at N~irobi in February 1975. These recommendations related to (i) the need to amend the statute of the Institute for Economic Developme: and Planning (IDEP) so that the number of elected members of the Governing Council CP:£1. the Institute could be increased from seven to eight and each subregion of the Commission could be represented by two members; (ii) the activities of IDEP and its future financing; (iii) the responsibility of member Sta,tes in the review and a.pprai exercise; (iv) the development of basic statistics ~nd the improvement of national accounts estimates in the region? (v) the role of ECA in the project for a unified e:i,pproach to development analysis ar.d planning and (vi) national_ participation in meetings of the Conference of African Planners.

21. · Work was proceeding on the savings and trade-gap projections for African countries for the second half of the 1970s. Similarly, an analysis was being mc:,de of the new development plans issued by African countries in 1974• The results of the e.nalysis would be published in the Economic :Bulletin for Africa.

22. The pulJlication of the Economic :Bulletin for Africa, which had been suspended since 1970 owing to lack of sta.ff resources, was resumed and Vol X, No. 2, was published in September 1974· Vol. XI, No. l was also being printed.

23. The secretariat participated in the tenth session of the Committee for Development Planning held at Vienna, Austria, and the meeting of the Directors of development researc~1 and training institutes at Abidjan, Ivory Coast 1 ::11. Auc.1st 1974 It also particip2-ted in the Seminar on Industrialization in Mexico held at Mexico City in November 1974• The main theme of the tenth session of the Committee for Development Pl2.nn:Lncs v-1as industrialization in the context of overall development and the subject discussed at the meeting of the Directors of development research and training institutes w0s co-operation in the field of research and training. Emphasis was placed on the need for the institutes of the developed countries to hel those of the developing countries to strengthen their capacity to discharge their functions.

24. In the field of economic co-operation, efforts and resources were concentrated on streamlining the operations of the United Nations T"'ll tinational Interdisciplinar;y Development Advisory Teams and establishing the new Lusaka-based UNIAT. Special attention vms given to the improvement of project formulation methodsj fincmcial control, personnel management and recruitment; the Programme ReviewCommitteei and dissemination of infonnation on UNill-l.Ts. s

25. Following the exploratory missions undertal;:en last year by the Director of the

East and Southern Africa Subregional office 1 the "Glx1JL\.T for EG.st and Southern Africc., cased at Lusaka and serving 12 countries of the Gubregion, became operational durin,~ 1974. A supervisory committee of senior officials met at Lusaka in June 1974 and emphasized the role of rural transfcrr..a.tion with a view to cre-.cting poles of develop­ ment. The work programme of the UNDAT woul~ be subject t0 periodic review by the UNDAT Supervisory Committee c:md an 'UNT:li.T Council of :Ministers.

26. In vie~-.r of the large number of countries to be covered by the Luse1ka-b2.sed

UNI!AT 7 provision was made for an in.itial stc>.ff of 20 senior and four assistant economists. A minimum of six staff members, includinG the team lee1der, were to have to.ken up their duties in September 1974 while the recruitment of the rest of the staff was in progress. Many of them were to be draw.Ll from the Afric2.n countries especially from within the Subregion. ~'Uture additional resources might allow for the enlargement of the Team to 27 experts and seven assist.:;.nt economists.

27 • The Yaounde-based U:NIAT serving CG.meroon 7 the Central Africc..n Republic1 ·Chad, Gabon, the Congo and Equatorial Guinea was already fully operationc:.l. Of the seven long-term e1nd four junior expert posts provided for under that programme, three of the former and one of the latter were still vacant, although recruitment was proceeding. Altogether 27 national and multinational projects were being cc;,rried out by the

UNDAT 1 covering such fields as road ancl mc.ri time trc.nsportation, crop develooment 1 employment, rural-urban migration and integrated cereal development.

28. For the Niamey-based U:NDAT covering the Ivory Coast, Dahomey, Ghana, Upper Volta, Wali 7 Niger, Nigeria and Togo, provision was made for eight senj_or and three junior experts. The resources of that UIDY~T had been put at the disposG.l of the Permanent Inter-State Cownittee on Irought Control in the Sahel to assist in finding short- term solutions to the ravages resulting from the cyclic clrought in that e1rea. The UNT.AT was also involved in the multi-purpose Lipto.ko-Gourma Region Integrated Levelopment Authority on wi1ich considerable work had been carried out uncler tl1e General Assembly resolution on special measures of assistance to the least developed countries.

29. Three meetings were held in connexion with UNUiTs during the year. One w<1s the first meeting of the UNr:A.T Council of }~inisters, East and Southern Africa, ~1eld

at Lus2.ka 7 Zambia, in May 197 4· The other two were progrc>.mme review meetings for tl1e Niamey- and Yaounde-based UNDL-I.Ts. The meetings w8re de signed to approve packages of projects to be carried out during 1974-75· 30. During the same period, the first version of the manual on costs and benefits of economic co--operation was completed. It would be sent to Gcvernmer.ts ~nd inter­ governmental organizations for comments. The m

31. Co-operation was maintained with C:i-\.U during the oil criGi::;, pc.'orticulu,rly on the question of locumentation and the search for ~ltern.:;.tive consult~nts. Assista~ce was also given to the Con:;o with reg<:rd to documentation for the Conference of Eastern and Centrc::.l African States held in Aus-ust 1974.

32. .b. document was prepared dealing wi ti1 a IJOSsible insti tution.::..l frameworl( for economic cc-~operation amon~ African countries. It was drafted ·2.t tl1e request of OAU which was called upon by the third African r!:inisterL.cl Conference on Eele.ticns - 6 -

with the EEC to study the m2.cl1inery to be set up in order to fulfil the objectives of j_frican unity including the establishment of an African Common Market.

33. The compar.J.tive study of industrial property laws of English-speillcing Africar countries was completed and a Conference on thf same subject was held in June 1974• The Conference, orGanized in conjunction with the Geneva-based World Intellectual

Property Organization (HIPO) 1 ex,-..mined industrial property laws <:md 2-drninistration procedures in English-speaking Africa to determine how the l.:::.ws could complement economic development. It also considered a ctr2-ft framework for co-operation and thE harmonization of industrial property laws, the provision of common services and the acquisition of technology in English-speaking Africa. The amended framework, after being sent to member Governments, would be submitted to a diplomatic conference foJ adoption. The Conference also established two technical Committees on patents and . trademarks to consider problems that could be included in the work programme of thE new body to be established within the proposed framework.

34. Co-operation with a number of specialized agencies was intensified during thE :·~riod under review. In particular, FA0 7 UNIDO, ILO and "UNCTAD continued to render assistance both in terms of participation in the evaluation of candidates for the recruitment of staff and in the identification of consultants for the UNDAT prograr

~tion and trainin~

35. The development and administration of bilateral scholarships and fellmrfships channelled through the Commission continued to make the greatest demand on resourcl In the period under review, several scholarship and fellowship offers were ·receive' and 60 candidates were successfully placed. The fellowship programme received an additional boost with co-operation from various C~~ countries and Iran and the agreement of the Government of India to initiate a tailor-made group training programme for senior African managerial and technical personnel.

36. Two country. studies on Zambia and Botswana were undertaken with the aim of identifying strategies and directions for interrelating manpower, education and training programmes within the context of overall development and employment creation. Desk studies were also carried out covering the situation in Ghana, Keny

Zambia1 Egypt, the Ivory Coast and Tunisia with respect to the enlargement of employment opportunities for educated Af.rican females in the modern sector.

37. The secretariat continued to orga~ize tra~ning courses and workshops design to help African training.institutions and trainers to develop an effective profes­ sional capabilityfur training A staff member was also made available to the National Dniversity of Zaire for four weeks in February to provide a course of lectures and seminars on continuing adult education and to prepare guidelines for the establishment of a correspondence education unit.

38. The secretariat also participated in various meetings during the review period. The CAU/ADB/ECA/CAFFAD Joint Meeting on the TTtilization of African Expert:= and Reservoirs of Technical Experience reviewed progress in the implementation of the OA.U African Technica.l Co-·operation Programme. '1 i

39. The secretariat continu.ed to co-operate with speci2.lized bo·iies and other 1 l.nstitutions. As part of Jii~JA s constant co-operation with rl\l.P 7 the secretariat 3tudied and commented on several country projects including the Ethiopian country )rogr·amme. Effective co-operation was being developed with CAFElH through regular )Onsultations aimed at programme harmonization and at pooling training specialists Go conduct courses for Afric~n trainers sponsored by either organization.

Human settlement~

40. ln connexion with the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements 1 the secretariat was making plans for an African Regional Meeting at Cairo in June/ July 1975. '.!:he main documents were being prepared in co-operc:.tion with the NaturaJ. . Resources Livision and the Human Resources ])evelopment Division, relating to policies :md programmes, approaches c.nd methods to mobilize and channel finance c:md the ll.tilization of resources in human settlements.

+L A draft entitled •zr.rheoretical study of feasible standards, goals 2-nd targets for housing and related infrastructure - environmental development - at varying rates of growth and capital formationn wc:.s prepared and distributed to member States for their comments and criticism. Another draft entitled 11 Study of building costs in ieveloping countries in Afrioa11 was also distributed to member States. A· third iraft entitled "Guidelines on physical planningH was being prepared and would be incorporated in the main document for the African Regional Meeting on Human Settlements.

42. The secretariat undertook several missions at the request of a number of ~frican Governments. ·A staff member advised and assisted the 'ranzanian Goverr..ment 'n the preparatory and planning work connected with the move of the capital city from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma. ~he Regional Adviser visited the Sudan to investigate he possibilities of establishing a low-cost housing scheme at Juba in the Southern egion in co-operation with the Regional Development Gorporation. He also advised · and assisted in matters relating to the operations, staffing and training facilities of the Sudanese Estates Bank at Khartoum. It was proposed that the Head of the Research and Planning Section of the Bank should be seconded to the E~~ secretariat to study approaches and methods of financing housing and infrastructural works in ~frican Countries. An advisory mission to Sierra Leone made a review of housing !finance arrangements with a view to establishing a Housing Finance Company in 18ierra Leone and assisted with the drafting of the relevant documentation for consideration by the Government. At the request of the Government .of Lesotho, the Regional Adviser carried out two missions in that country to assist in the prepa­ ration of project submission data for a co-operative housing scheme at Maseru and a building loan scheme for rural housing improvements including a. review and reformulation of legislation whereby co-operative housing societies could be established. Lastly, during a mission to ~ambia, discussions were held with representatives of the Konrad Adenauer lt1 oundation of Bonn, l!,ederal ~i.epublic of Germany, to examine the possibilities of co-operation in arranging training faci­ lities for African personnel working in the field of savings and loans for ho'.lsing. - 8-

43. At the invitation of 'JNE3CC 1 a Rtaff rr.ember pc;,rticip::,ted in the meeting on Arab 1:,_rt in Jc:nuary, and discussed policies and programmes for the Arab countries in relation to human settlements. The Re~ional Adviser h~d consultations at Cologne,

:B'eieral Republic of Germany 1 with the Germo.n Jlevelopment Assistance Association for Social Housin~ (rESMOS) concerning the preparation of trainj_ng- courses to be financed by the Federal Government in the field of cc-operative housing. He also represented EC~i at the Executive Committee of the African Co-operative Savings and Credit Association (AGOSCA) and the Cl"'l-operative Insur2.nce Jeminar which had as its main theme the insurance coverage of all risks involved in credit union operations in Africa.

44· During the reviev-1 period, special emphasis was plccced on the mobilization of local savings inAfrican countries for economic and social development including r:1ore investment in human settlements. In co-operation with the Ce1ssa di Risparmio delle Frovincie Lombarde 1 Milan, Italy, a working paper on savings mobilization in developing countries was prepared and distributed to States members of tl1e Commission and other interested bodies. Comments received were being used in the follow-up work ccnsistine of the preparation of country studies and the mobilization of savings.

45. .b.n architect assigned to the secretariat by the Federal Republic of Germany undertook missions to the East, West and North African Subregions to collect infor-­ mation for reviewing low cost housing and to have consultations with the Government authorities concerned with low-cost housing programmes and the improvement of peri­ urban and rural dwellings.

46. The secretariat prepared papers for an African Symposium on Building Materials, Design and Construction organized by OAU at Cairo in July 1974• The publication entitled HHousing in Africa" prepared in co-operation with the Netherlands Government Ttfas being restructured and up-d2.ted and would be submitted to the African Regional Meeting on Human Settlements and later, in its final form, to the United Nations Conference on Human 2ettlements. 'I'he publication was expected to serve as a valuable tool for African administrators and technologists, including ~~onqmic planners and financial experts, in the preparation of national development plans and in the implerr.entation of policies and programrr.es concerning human settlements. The more technical publication entitled 11 Low cost housing in Africa, 1975;' was also being prepared based on some 20 projects in different Africe.n countries concerned 1.

Industrial Developmen~

47. In response_ to the recommendations of the Second Conference of African Ministers of Industry held in December 1973, :E~CA initiated action with a view to implementing the resolutions of the Conference. The secretariat t>ras collecting de.,ta for the preparation of a study ore relative price trends of commodities and manufactured products. Data was also being compiled on the basis of information collected during field missions for the preparation of the Annual Review and Appraisal of Industrial Trends and Structures. Work continued on the prep2-ration of Country J!,act Sheets on Industrial Policies and. Programmes and Summe,rie::J of Industrial Plans.

48. The aforementioned Conference adopted a ])eclara.tion on Industrialization outlining a Programme of l>.ction fer speeding up industrialization in the region. In order to foster the realization of the industrialization objectives set out in the Declaration, the Executive Secretary contacted J,._frican Governments and 9 invited 1n.\.fP, the specialized agencies and a number of other internC1tional organiza­ tions to subn:i t proposals on how best they could assist J.~fricc'.n col:Il.tries in imple­ menting the resolutions of the 'Jairo Conference. :B'AG had, in co-o~eration with J:i~CA, promoted the strengthening of the existing ECA/F'l'!.O Forest :::ndustries Advisor;}' Gro-c.p and set up another joint body1 the ::.;cA/li'li.O :l!,ood and Agricultural :.:::ndustries Advisory Group, und~r :.TNIT financing. hnen fully opere.tional those a,dvisory groups would provide advice and assistance to States members of the (jommission in encouraging increased domestic processing of African agricultural resources.

49. The Declare::tion also pl-.ced_ great emphasis on action aimed a,t promoting intra- African cc~operation and developing African self-reliance. Accordingly, UNIDO and EGA initiated steps to (a) convene a series of Nul tilatera,l Consul tat ions on Multinational Industrio.,l Co-operation in the African region; (b) set up an ECi-1./ t;NIDO Advisory Group on Industrial Technology) and (c) establish an AfriC3.n Insti t'IA.te for Management :Development. 'l1hose were intercountry projects to be financed by "Gl\'IP.

50. The follow~up Committee on Industrialization set up by the Conference to review the implementation of the Programme of Action held its first meeting in 0eptember 197 4. It· made several recommendations relating to the organization of work of tl1e

1 Committee 1 the implementation of decisions of the Cairo Conference and a common African position in respect of the Second General Conferer.ce of Ul\-rDO at Lima, Poru. Proposals were to be drawn up by ECAy OAU and UNIJJO for sul::mission to the third

Conference of African Ministers of Industry1 to raise the status of the Committee to that of a Standing Committee on Industry. Proposals for the establishment of an African Mineral Development Council would be submitted to African Governments for their endorsement in order to foster the harmonization and co-ordination of African Government policies and programmes in respect of the exploitation and use of mineral reso'IA.rces. The Committee itself would be the main instrument for devising and pro­ moting practical ways of implementing Conference recommendations ar.d .should particip2t~ actively in all meetings preparatory to the Lima Conference. It also reoorr~ended the establishment of an African Industrial revelopment Fund to support the new role .envisaged for Africa in world industry.

51. v.Ji th respect to advisory services, the secretr>,rh:,t carried out several field missions during the period under review. Assistance was given to countries in such

fields as industrial strategies, policies and pLm formulc.tion, industrial surveys 1 training facilities in foreot industries, the establishment of pulp and paper industries, food processing and textile and cement industries.

52. Work on the identification of small-scale industrial investment opportunities continued during the period under review. A Rura~ and Small-scale. Industries Bulletin was published and· assistance was- provided to a few countries in thei.r srnall-scc,le industrial projects. The Japanese Industrial Floating ]'air Association organizt3d an c:chibi tion of small-scale machinery and equipment in co-operation. with IiiCA on bo[trd of vessel Shin Sakura Maru. Arrangements were made for the vessel to call at Nombasa and ~ar es Salaam.

53. As reg-ards investment promotion, EGA continued to maintain contacts with potential investors abuut the African investment clim~te as well as follow-up activities on specific industrial projects. l~'our briefing sessions were held with potential inves- tors during the revievl period. Action was al.so initiated to prepa,re :::. series of · Investment Fact Sheets based on project studies carried out in the pe.st. In cu.ses where the viability of a project had been confirmed, notices were inserted in selected trade journals in the industrialized countries. At the same time y individual poter.tial invest.ors were contacted in connexion with specific projects, rni th the concurrence of the Governments concerned, with a view to initiating negotiations for the · implementation of the project. - 10

54· Tht: St:!CI'f:tar:i.at was a:l.so pL·.nr:ing a sL;Jr.mar;r of ;l_fricar: countries 1 current

~-v:;.;t;"tm~.p.t codes for use in investment promotion aotivi ties. :3imilarly1 information wa::, oeing· sought on the· structure ar;.i functions of existil:g industrial development ir;.sti tutions with a view to formu.l3.tinc;· recommendations for their strengthening and im1~rovement D,nd for promoting greater intra-African co-ope:r.::.tion through t:wse institutions. ':Llhe second issue of :~nvestment Newsletter we.. s published :::md widely circulc:,ted amon;; ·}overnment offici;_ls;i;-sti tu-~t;;;_-;~a~-d busir:ess circles in African com1tries as well as potential investors in the industri~lized countries.

55. In the field of researcll1 guidelines and man"l.2-ls for industriu.lization p6.ucies and forest-based ind.ustries were being prepared. Tea.ching materials on financial analysis and social cost-benefit analysis were elaborated and would form the basis of training manuals in the future. 'H1e final version cl the study on. comparative use of the ~;IGLO and CliiCil Methodologies of Cost - Benefit Analysis W.J.S completed and would be circulated to States members of the Commission for the use of personnel ellg'aged in project evaluation.

56. In co-operation with ~NIDO, Eilil or~anized a Regional Workshop on the Preparation and Evaluation of Industrial Projects. The purpose was to up-grade current practices in the field of project preparation, financial analysis and national economic e:valuation.

57. As p.:·,rt of its activities in restructuring Africa 1 s internal and external trade, the secretariat embarked on a number of studies. It continued its analysis of the trade of African countries with the main developed. market economy countries in preparation for multilateral and intern0tion~l trade negotiations. It also began a preliminary study on trade with 3ocialist countries with a view to improvir.g trade. rolations between the Socialist and the developing countries of Africa. A study on the possibilities of reaching agreements between African producing and consuming co1mtries in respect of meat and meat products was. completed and would be submitted to the ECA/OA.TJ Joir;.t Meeting on Trade and Development. Work on the compendium of corrmodity prices for COIT.modities of export interest to African countries, started in conjunction with the special session of the Genero.l Assembl3r of the United Nations, was nearing completion.

58. In the field of trade promotion, the secretariat had recoiTmended tae introductior of. an export credit guarantee scheme in Kenya and Nigeria on the basis of a study in export financing and visits to Indi3. and the Republic of Kore~ where such a scheme was in operation. l!'ollowing the experiences gained in Kenya and Nigeria, the Africa Trade Centre wa~ preparin~ a draft scheme on e~)ort credit financing in the· developing· cou..:1tries of ~1.frica. 3uch a· scl1~me would not only facilitate financing for export development but would e:"..lso assist in the Africanization of the export sector.

59. The trade information and documentation service continued its publication of the Fo~~iKr~Tra~e Newslette~ and the collection, analysis and dissemim•tion of trade information including the distribution of a list of African Chambers of Commerce which was being used t-ts a basis for prepararing a directory. ·A paper on trade opportunities in Africa was also prepared for distribution to member Stc,tes. - ll-

60. The Association of African Trade Promotion Crganizations was established in co-operation with ('[i";J with the aim of facili to,ting cc-oper.:~tion in trade amon,:O?; .f~frican countries and promo_ting the formati-::m of 2-ddi tione.l trade promotion organizations in Africa. Its first meP.ting, origii'lall:Jr planned for September 1?74 was to be held ec:.rly in 1975 and. would have before.it two documents relating to the establishment of the secretariat and the work prograrr.me 2-nd priorities of the .lssooiation.

61. In the field of training, the ldric::J, T·rade Centre estat·lished a subregic:mal export promotion training unit initially loco,ted 2-t Nairoci. The unit was staffed by four United Natior..s experts and counterpart personnel from the East African Community and provided export promotion trc:.ining to the three partner States c:.nd other East African countries.

62 .. The tre:J.ining service also continued to send periodic dispe:dches to tl-:e -:n countries participating in its in-service trainin3 programme. It had beGUn pre­ preparing a series of 25 lectures on tr0-de promotion in Africa.

63.. The secretariat continued to provide m<.rket research services to Africa~'l Governments. Three specific studies for selected products in high potential inarket , areas were identified and recommended to the Sudanese Goverr..ment. Market research · studies were also c0-rried out on Sudanese exports to Chad, the Central African Republic, the Libyan Arab Republic and Greece.

Natural resources ... .------..:.~ Mineral resources

64. With regard to the establishment of subregional mineral resources devc:·l opment centres, a· team of experts visited several countries of the :Cast African Subregion and Madagascar. The purpose of the mission wa,s to discuss v.rith Governrr.ents their

requirements in the field of mineral resources development 7 to collect d:1ta concernir..g current mineral c.1ctivities 7 to catalogue thA equipment of the Geological and mines department and to survey education and training facilities. l:eports of the mission together with recommendations on the est2oblishment of a Mineral Resources J.:.evelop­ ment Centre were to be· submitted to the Intergovernmental 11orking :}roup meeting of East Africar: C01.mtries scheduled for the first quarter of 1975. The prelirr:insry draft of the project relating to the East African Mineral Resources Development Centre was also prepG.red and discussed_ with UNTP.

65. The secretariat continued to provide technicG.l assistance and adviscr;y services to a number of African countries in different aspects of mineral prospecting, exploration, exploitation and utilizatior.. of mineral resourc.;es. ·

66. The investory of mineral resources in African countries continued under the bilateral agreement between ECA and the li'ederal 1\epubli c of Germ~t;.'ly. A summary of Africa's phosphate deposits was finalized.

67. An economic study of the present status and prospects for the J.evelopment of mineral resources in \rJest Africa W8,s complRted. and the secret:=triat started twc new stadies on basic raw materials for the metallurgico..l industries in Afric.;a. As a

result of a bilateral agreement with the Government of Pinland1 the secretariat obtained the services of an expert 1 at present er.gagec1 in a comprel'1ensi ve stu:iy of raw materia:;..s for the iron and steel industry. - l2-

68. The secretariat wc.s continuing its prcgra,;nrr.e of collecting cmd disseminating

information on the development 1 producti :m and export of minerals. Le:cta sheets showing commodity trade in East African countries 1-vere compiled and printed. A note on chromium~ manganese and asbestos in African countries >vs.s also prepared by the secretariat.

69. The planned seminar and study tour for African geologists in }:1oscow, pcstponed for financial reasons, was to take place in 1975 if agreement was reached with United Nations Headquarters regarding the financing questions.

7J. The secretariat prepared three documents for the regional Conference on Petroleum held at Tripoli in J!'ebr11.2.ry 197 4 <:md was represented at the Conference of Copper Exporting Countries and the First Inc~ustrial llhnerals International Congress held in London in July 1974.

Hater resources

:'1. The WMO hydrometeorologist seconded to ECA continued to provide ad-

In the Gam"bia 1 he advised on the organization of the new Department of Hydrometeo­ rology and also prepared a draft project for technical assistance from UNDP. During his visit to the United Republic of Tanzania, it was learnt that the Water Resources Development Institute at Dar es Salaam which ECA had helped to established would become operational in July 1974 when first-year classes for about 35 student~ would start.

7 2• Work continued on the development of the Lake Tanganyika :Basin. The secretariat was making the necessary arrangements for a meeting between technical experts from :Burundi, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, ~aire and Zambia to discuss the establishment of an inter-State body, for the development of the Lake Tanganyika :Basin.

73. The hydrogeologist made available to ECA under the agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany undertook a mission to the drought-stricken countries of the Sahel to discuss with the authorities concerned the work being done in the field of underground water development and proposed future projects.

74~ The secretariat particip~ted in the special session of the ACC Sub-Committee on vlater Resources held s..t United Nations Headquarters in December 1974· The session discussed and finalized the comprehensive plan of action on water resources to be presented to the Co~mittee on N~tural Resources. It also discussed the inputs of the regional economic commissions to the International Water C~nference.

Energy

75. The secretariat prepared a review of projects on energy development in Africa and papers concerning the impact of the energy crisis on African economies. Close attention was given to the development of non-conventional sources of energy and concrete action in this field was undertaken in the forin of preparations for the Working Group on geothermal and solar energy. - 13-

76. ~he Senior Regional Adviser on EnerGY carried cut a mission to the S&~elian area to assess the present stage of solc..r energy develq:;mej:J.t. 'Ihe mission recommended the holding of an intergovernmental study tour with t:he following objectives : evaluation of results obtained by research centres ;o,t :Dakar, :Bamako and Niamey; inventory of the centres' qualified manpower resources, selection of the optimum location for an industrial centre for mc,nufacturing solar equipment and definition of its work prograrr1ne; elaboration of a research and utilization progr:-:.mme in the field of soL1.r energy1 revision of the solar energy centres' pro:P-~c::.mme in order to eliminate any overlapping in their c::.ctivities c::.nd recommendation of ways to popu­ larize the equipment manufactured by the industrial centre; consideration of t:1e need to establish a }i'.egional Centre for Solar Energy and to reinforce the work of the existing centres; and the formulation of recommendations relating to technical and financial co-operation with those countries which were advanced in the field.of solar energy development and in the training of highly qu3-lified manpmver.

77• A staff member established direct contact with the National Centre for Scientific Research (France), visited a solar laboratory in south-western France, assessed the present stage of co-operation among African countries in the fiAld of solar energy development and discussed the possibility of obtaining bilateral assistance from the French Government for ECA to assist the latter in implementing its programme on solar energy.

78. In the field of geothermal energy, the secretariat established contact with the International Institut.e for Geothermal Resee,rch (Italy), enlarged its docu­ mentation .in the field, assessed the results obtained in the developed countr;Les in the field of geothermal energy utilization and also discussed with the Italian Government the possibility· or assisting ECA on a bilateral oasis in developing its geothermal programme.

79 • Finally 1 during .the period under review 1 the secretariat started to consicler the peaceful uses of ·nuclear energy and their prospects in African countries. Publications during the period includ~d the up-dating of existing studies on the development of energy in Africa, new studies relating to the consumption of petroleum products and crude petroleum, including forecasts to 1990. The collection and analysis of data relating to all forms of energy continued and docurrBnts for the second African Meeting on Energy were being prepared.

Cartography

80. The Commission continued to play its pe,rt in consolidatinc; and extending the subregional Centre for Training in Aerial Survey at Ile-Ife in Nigeria. Courses in photogrammetry at t~1e technician level were continuing, attended by students from :Dahomey, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Zaire. f'.l. The fifth and siXth meetings of the Governing Council of the Regional Centre were held in February and November 197 4 respectively and action was taken on al.J_ the recommendations adopted by the Council. Following visits by the Acting Director of the Centre, more West African countries were expected to join the Centre as participating countries.

82. Following a meeting held in September 1974 attended by seven East Kfrican countries and five coUntries from outside the continent, most of the East African countries were expected to sign the agreement concerning the establishment, in - 14 -

l{en;~ra, o~ a Common Cer.1.tre for SpeciD.. 2_ized 2ervices i:tl SLITveyil1{S and ~.1e.rJ~ingo 1:.. meeting oi the Governing Council o;· th8 Gen:trt:: w:!..ll be held early in l975·

83. Duril1g the reviev.J ::;Jeriod 1 the :;.J.rto:;r<'..::;J:lic ~Jn.it ~JubJ.ished 52 maps, 30 of whicl1 were reproduced, m.J.ny of them in milli:::olour. I:uring the fifth session of the Conference of .~fricc:.n FL1.m1ers held in 2"lG1e 197 4 7 the Unit stat?,·ed a m

64. At the First Symposium on Geodesy in Africu l1eld at Khartoum in January 19747 sponsored jointly by the Inter:;:lcctional Association of Geodesy and the Sudc:mese Government and attended by the secretariat, one of the resolutions adopted called for the establishment of a Commission for Geodesy in Africc:. while another resolution called on EGA to co-operate with the proposed Commission. The secretari2.t was also represented at the Internatione..l Symposium on the Redefinition of the North American Geodetic Network ·helcl c:,t the lTni versi ty of New Brunswick in Canada.

85. A member of the secretaric..t p8.rticipe::ted in a survey missior;. which visited the

Cnited Republic of Tanzania1 Zambia and Botswana to study the desirability of establishing a mineral resources development centre for the Ec.st African Su"trecion. The report of the mission will be submitted to a meeting of senior Government officials of the Subregion to be held early in 1975.

86. At the invitation of the Scientific, Technical and Resec:,rch Commission of

the Organiz2.tion of AfricQ,n Unity (STRC) 1 a member of the secretariat attended the symposium on manpower requirements and the development of cartogrc..phic services in Africa and the CQ,rtographic Exhitition held at Cairo in July 1974. The symposium called on CAU/JT~i.C and ECA to strengthen their co-operation in the field of oartograp and urged AfricQ,n Governments to send students to the EGA Training Centre at Ile­ Ife7 Nigeri2.7 so as to make full use of training facilities 2.V.J-ilable there.

87. Negotiations with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of

Cc..nada resulted in the approval of a grr.-,nt· of $ Can. 449 7 705 for in ··:nventory of cartographic activities in Africa fi~an EJ...:Z,.i ro~~n_t_

88. Agreement was reachecl on proje-cts to be carried out jointly by the United Nc,tions Environrc.ent Programme and the secretariat following discussions between the li.egiono.l Li.epresent<,tive of· ump and the secretari[l,t in November.

89 • At a meeting of intergovernmentc>.l organizations held in Me.rch 197 4, c-..:;reement was re~'..ched en the formation of an .I\.dvisor;v Group for the African Environment which would e"dvise the Executive Director of UmP on progr~mme proposals concerning Africa.

90. Follcn-vinc a request by the F.xecuti ve Committee for 2. progress report on space

applic.itions 1 the secreto.riat drafted a project rele,ting to the establishment of 2. re~ional international remote sensin.:;· satellite ground receiving and data handling centre in Afriea. The aim o:f the centre w~s to assist African countries in making ~se of the information that had been accumulated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (N~.S.P_) of the 'Gnited Gtates of America. The project wasbeing discussed with a number of interested parties. It carried an in-built training element and the station was expected to have up-to-date facilities including com­ puter terminals to receive data on Africa 1 s resources directly from the earth. resources satellite for use by African States. - 15 -

91. At the invi te:.tion of t~1e Ke:nyt:m Gover:me:.1t 7 tl1e ::;e c::·ete.rL'.t l::JreparE:d a p8-per for the m~AID/Ker...yan Government semin:-::r on the ~sR c f rer,1otP. sensing for nc'.tural resources survey. Other 1)apers were prep<:.red on thE'. c:.rl::c:m e<1viro:.m1ent in Africa for the International Con(;ress of Afric~--..~1ists ancl the East Afric2..n seminar on develol)ment and environment. lui.other paper w:::.s dr2.fted o:1 tl1e quality of humo..n settlemer.ts ~end on tl1e role of wc.ter o.nd ener.:;y in Afric;_=m settlements. It was to be presented to the Regional l1eetin.:; in June 1975 in preparation Ior Africa 1 s particip2.tion in tl1e United Nations Conference on Hum::.n Settlements at Ve..:.1couver in 1976.

92. The secretariat undertook several studies during the period uncler review, Among those completed were t~1e r-ase studies on the interrel2.tion tetv-reen. -l::;opulc:-,tion

growth aml economic and social development in ])c:,homey 7 r,1adaGc:,scar 1 Senegal, the Ivory Coc.st and Togo; the m8-nual for pilot studies of fertility 2.ncl infant mortality in Africa and the manual on demo,zraphy for teCLclling· c.. t middle- ;:mC'c intermediate­ level training centres.

9 3. Continuing studies included further case studies on the interrele>.tion between population growth ancl economic and socic:.l development (rM:'.cro-studies) ·as well as

interrelation between family size and health and welfo.re of the family 1 especially mothers and children (micro-studies); review of selected fertility o.nd I~P studies with a view to recommending methodolocies accept0-ble to Africa; a m~t~1ual on demographic concepts and definitions sc:.i table for African conditions; population policies and progrc_mmes in selected African countries; the interrel2.tion between fertility differentials and socio-economic variables such as educatim1; and c·o:.1oepts and definition of urban population.

94. The secretariat also published ~~~ic~~~~~ul~~~?ll~)~di~~No.~ 1 the report of the Semim--..r on Techniques of Eve,luation of :Bo.sic Demographic :Data, the thi.rd edition of the ;pe!!!_O;lr§Phj.c Handbo

95· Severo.l meetL1.:;s were orc<,'J.ized durL1.g the periocL. The meeting on tr~inin2; in demography c.mcl popul2.tion l)rogrc_mmes reviewed the past 2.ncl prese~1t sto.tus of demographic research and trz-ining ii1 Africa and the r~ctivi ties of the Uni tecl l'Lctions-sponsored institutes c·.s "rell 2.s those of :.r.tion;:-,1 ,-,_:1d other tr,cinin~ and research centres ii1 ~\.fric;:- .• The annual meeting of the :Directors of Demot;ral)hic Tr2-inin.:; and Resec.rch Centres in Afric~'- consid6:c8d administrP.ti ve cmd substantive matters rel tin:; to rec;iono..l tr~1.ining o..nd su.::;·.:;eshd.. improvemei1ts. It ahw discussed tl1e exclmnge of staff 2,l'ld senior stuclents among the three institutes in Africa. Other meetin.:;s included a semin2.r on n:.·,tionc~l popuL:tion policies and their iml)lementation, the ai1.n112.l meeting cf tlle regicno..l Inter-Agency Coordinatinc; P.1eeting Gn Popul<.tion o..nd the fourth I:leeting of Non-eni ted. Nc"'..tions Or:::;anizations interested in Population Pro:::;Ta.mmes in ll.fricc-:..

96. In the field of training1 the secret2.ri2.t continued to ;',SSist in the o:::Jeration of the United N".J.tions-sponsored Hegional Institute for Populo..tion Stud.ies at Accrt.~ and the ):ns_tit~....9t.:...J'ol}_nat~.9E_et cl~_Rec~J.ercl~ :D(f!l...~EJi:l~E. (IFORI) i:'..t :aound8. It also provided substo.ntive o.ssisto.nce 1 includin,r; oonductin,-; a trainin(:; course en demogrq)hio so..mple surveys, to the :Jnited N2.tions-sponsored centre 2.t Go.iro. - 16-

97. The Conference of African Demogr2.phers ::.1eld i -l.;s second session and, among vther things, recommended that the :i8mogr2-phic training institutes should take advantage of the experti<:Je cf the various ~Jni ted Nations organiz2-tions in their training and resee"rch lJrogrammes. It f1:.rther recommended that IFCPJ-; should abolish the entrance ex~mination for prospective trainees and bGse entry on fixed minimum qualificatimJ.S and also appealed to 0NFPA to help to strengti1en the EGA Population Progrc:mme Centre so as to en2-ble it to implem8nt its work programme in full.

98. A Regional Consultation Prepc..ratory to the V\orld Populcction Conference in Bucharest was organized by ~CA to give African Government representative an oppor­ tunity to express their views on the draft world Population Plan of Action. The pc..rticipants recommended a number of specific changes.

:?9. The secretariat pursued its co-ordinc:.tion activities both with United Nations Headquc1.rters and its specialized and executing agencies and V>Tith a number of other 'Jnited Nations organizations. A number of projects were identified wl1ich were either of common interest or were to be organized as joint projects.

lJO. As advisory services 1 EGA demographers undertook missions to Niamey and Abidjan at the request of the regional bureau of l~NICEl!' to study the possibility of organizing a demoeraphic survey of migration due to drought in the Sahel. Oti1er advisory services were rendered to Cameroon, Niger, Chad and the Congo. The data

collected during a migration survey in Bambari, Central African Republic 1 were partially analyzed and arrangements we:re being mo_de for further computer processing.

101. The sec:;retariat was represented at the national seminar on population Madagascar. It participated in and prerJared a paper for the symposil:m on Popul;:-.tion and Human Rights organized by the United Nations in connexion with the I~ orld Population Co:r:ference. It was also represented at the third special session of the G"nited Nations Population Commission.

Public administration ...... -.--~

102. 'Ihe acti vi ties of the secretariat chi A fly concerned the organiz::Ltion of ~rlorkshops a:r:i the provision of training and advisory services to member Governments.

Korkshops on purchasing and supply manugement were held in the Gambic:. 1 Sierru Leone, l'falawi, ~ambia and Bostwana. b.d hoc training and advisory services in (a) financial ma:r:e,gement and (b) programme and im:Jtitution development for accountancy training nnd localization of professional qualifications were offered to member States, but only Uganda was a1:·le to take advantage of these.

103. A seminar on the role of loGal authorities in planning and plan :..mplementation for senior loec~l authority and planning agency officials from Nigerie1 1 Sierra IJeone 7 Jhana, :jiberia7 Cumeroon and the Gambia was held at Zaria 1 Nibreria 7 in Febru2,r;y 1975. The seminar wa,s concerned with finding ways of securing more effective performance on the part of local authorities ir.volved in national .:ievelopment efferts.

1~4· Missions were carried out in Morocco, Senegal 1 the Gamlie1 7 Sierra Leone, Llberia and 1hana, to finalize details of r..aticnal trainir.g programmes.

10 5. C:lose a,nd effective co-operation was maintained with CAFRAD and the Inter­ n~tional "Jnion of ~oml Authorities and with the ~Jnited Natio:r:s Public Admi:r:istration l:i vision. - 17-

Public finance cmd financial institutions .. ·-- ·-- _..._,__,__~~~-~---______._..._ _..,._.,.. -·-·~-- _... ~ ...... _ ..... 106. :During the review period <-'.ssistance was Gi'ren to the Government of tho Sudc-,n in planning budgeto..ry c:.nd fisc.:-,1 reform <.nd gener.t.lly in conducting o.. survey of existing revenues ~,nd devising a system of revenue sh,--,ring between the central, provincial and local governments. Advisory services in the field of tr:::ining included a local training workshop on tc:-x policy, legislation and administra.tion at Tripoli, Libyc:n Ar."'.b Republic, resultinG in a consensus of opinion on desirable tax reforms in the country.

107. In the field of rese:~rch, the secretariA,t wc:cs' concentrcting on two projects on the role of domestic financial resources in development and monetary a.nd financial aspects of African development. ~Urthermore, it continued to emphasize the importance of Afric;'.n fin.::mcial institutions in mobilizing domestic savings. It h d undertaken a study on the role pl yed by African development banks and commercial banks in that respect.

108. In response to the recommendations made by the Ministerial Conference at Abidjan and the decisions taken by the ~~U Assembly of Heads of State and Government at Addis .f.~baba relating to monetary matters, 'ECA co-opere1ted with the Study Group set up by the Association of African Central J3anks in the preliminary studies for establishing an African Centre for Monetary Studies. ECA would participate in further meetings relating to the subsequent phases in the establishment of that Centre.

109. 'rhe secretariat was also keeping abreast of developments in the international monetary field. Following the Round Table Conference of Afric~n o..nd International Experts on the Reform of the International Monetary System and the African Interest held in January 1974, it was decided to study the terms of reference of (i) 2. working party on the implications of recent increases in the price of petroleum and (ii) a study group on the regime of generalized floating. Those bodies would help to formulate positions to be adopted by the African Group in the Committee of Twenty.

110. The secretariat. continued to provide assistance to the Association of African Central Rallies, assuming the duties and responsibilities of secretariat of the Association and of its subregional committees.

Science and technol~

111. The Intergovernmental Corrmittee of Experts for Science and Technology Development in Africa held its second meeting at Addis Ababa from 17 to 19 July 197 4.• At that meeting, attention was focused on the question of popularizing and

promoting the African Regional Plan (ARP). In that connexion 7 the secretariat hGd participated in the Conference of Ministers of African member States responsible for the application of science and technology to development ( GASTAFFJCA :) organized by UNESCO in co-operation· with the Economic Commission for Africa and the Organiza­ tion of African Unity at Dakar from 21 to 30 January 1974· The Conference recommen­ ded that AHP should constitute the basis for intercountry co-operation in the application of science and technology to development and further recommended the holding of joint UNESCO, ECA and Ob.U meetings and semin<'rs from time to time to promote greater awareness in Africa of scientific and technical problems. - 18 -

112. The EGA project request to UNDP for financial support to African countries in establishing and operating national committees to implement the African

Regional Plan was in the process of being finalized. However 1 individual countries were to submit thE?ir request for such funds to l-11J"'I!P while EGA would seek specific funds from the United Nations for all essential new activities in science and technology.

113. The meeting of donor agencies which might be interested in the African Regional PL-..n was held in July 1974• The bE'.sic aim of the meeting was to find possible wn,ys for the dopor agencies to assist hfrican co~mtries in the development of science and technology in general. The agencies represented 2.-t the meeting gave broad indica­ tions of the activities which they were pursuing in Africa in the field of science and technology. Some concrete projects were presented to them with clear indications of the supplementary financing which the countries needed from bilateral and multi­ lateral sources apart from the resources which they themselves were prepared to invest. The representatives expressed the hope that their agencies would consider greater support for APY.

114. The progress reports on the implementation of the Plan at the cow"try level showed that several countries had scientific and technical bodies already in operation. Some of them had already embarked on the formul ~tion of country projects

within the framework of the African Regional Plan. However 1 at the request of the Governments of 'rogo 7 the Ivory Coast, Gabon, Cameroon and the Central African Republic, the secretariat designated a member of the Science and Technology Section to hold talks with Government officials of those cow,tries on the establishment and operation. of their national committees for the implementation of APY.

115. For its part 7 the secretariat continued with the collection and up-dating of inforrr:ation and data on the technico-economic situation in some African countries.

Social development

116. The secretariat pursued its co-operation cl'li th internatione.l voluntary agencies in promoting rural development projects related mainly to 2'-spects of resettlement schemes in rural areas. The series of regional workshops was also continuing, bringing together representatives of Governments, voluntary and United Nations agencies to foster and strengthen co-operation among them in order to ensure mQXimum impact for rural development programmes in terms of the social and economic progrern of the region.

1 117 ~. lt ollowing an evaluation of tis })evelopment Education Programme in 1973 7 ~hP. secretariat prepe.r:ed a· monograph entitled '1:Development education and rural develop­ 1 ment through mass medis/ 7 highlighting the problems of rural development in African countries and how they were being tachled by some countries on a self-help basis. The monograph also aimed at promoting voluntary 2.ction and influencing Governments in tackling rural development problems within the context of national development, through mass media.

118. In co-operation with the Pan-African Institute for Jlevelopment, the secreta­ rL~.t was ·planning a series of short-term itiner8.nt training courses and the prep2..­ ration of a comprehensive regional training programme for rural a:i1d regional devel opmer..t. - 19 -

119. l~i th regard to the integration of women in development 7 various aspects of the problem were being tackled by the secretariat. :B1 ort;y country studies were :undertaken on pre-vocational and vocational training for women and girls with ar. analysis of these studies under .way. The traini:c.g . iE home economics continued with five n.:,tional workshops held under the joint :hiCA/J:!'b..C/Netherlands Government itinerant Training Pro17amme for Trainers. A similar workshop was held in the United Republic of Tanzania in co-operation with t:NICEJ:t, e,nd the Tanzanian Government. In co-operation with ILC, the secretariat was also pL:.nning a workshop on handicrafts and small-scale industries in Za,mbia. Advisory services were provided to countries interested in este-blishing nationi:l.l commissions or bureaux for the integration of women in development. In the same vein, the secretariat was preparing a directory of organizations concerned with the participation of women in development.

120. The establishment of a Pan-African Research and 'Training Centre for Women was endorsed by the Region-1 Seminar for Africa on the Integration ·of Women in Develop­ ment organized in co-opers,tion with the United Nations Centre for Social and Humanitarian Affairs. The Centre was to conduct itinerant training courses in a variety of fields, provide specialized training for internal students, carry out research and produce training manus,ls.

121. I'uri!Lg the period under review, the Secretari"t Carried. OUt severc,l Studies and participated in meetings on the role of women in development, problems of rural development and the African social situation in 1974· It provided advisory services to the Association for Social 1rlork Education in Africa (ASV.'F..A) on the collection of teaching materials, the publication of ~ newsletter, journals and documents· and the organization of conferences and workshops on sociCJ,l work education. Advisory services were also provided to the Governments of ·:iabon and EthiO}:Jie:> in connexion with rural development projects.

122. The secretariat continued to publish the quarterly "Newsletter on Rural 11 G:levelopment 11 and ;;African Women • In addition, the directory of activities of !international voluntary agencies in rural development in Africa, first published lin 1972, was updated with the reyised .edition expected to appear in 1975.

I

...... Statistics . l23. Activities during the period under review were hinged on the t1vo principal components of the secretariat's statistical programme 7 the development and co­ ordination of nationa,l statistical services and the development of c:. centralized statistical service for the African region.

l2L).. The first component comprised statistical advisory services in the fields of national accounts and economic surveys in the form of annual country visits and the annual preparation of Economic Data Summaries for 45 countries of the region, statistical tra,ining involvinc assistance to various statisticc.l institutes in -l.fr·i cc>, and the application of standard statistical methodology. The latter coven')d two aspects : the implementation of the revised 'United Nations System of National iccounts in African countries and the evolution and formulation, in co-operation N"ith the countries of the region, of a multipurpose household survey programme for

~frica to build up an integrated system of democraphic 1 social and economic statistics. - 20 -

125. Contacts were esta,blished for possible fil1c:mcin,~· for a Trainin::; Workshop on :E;ixtern2.l Transactions to tr;:;.,in African statisticc.l persmmel in the compilation of balance-of-payments and external trc~nsactions statistics in accordance with the revised System of Natiora.l Accounts c:.nd the revi.sed D:F l

126. Components of the secretariat's efforts to establish a centralized statistical service for the African reGion comprised. the prepccration of regule1r statisti cc:-l publice:;,tions and the provision of dD,ta to meet special requests, the formation of a

regional data bank for economic 1 socia,l and demographic statistics and statistical studies on selected topics through the collection and anc:-lysis of materials from all possible sources.

127. 'Ihe secretariat continued to publish the Stati~c~~wsl~.tte.E,, the .Q.j;ati~~ anj_ ~C9..£.

1213. During the review period, population censuses were to.ken in two com1tries - the Congo and ~iberia, bringing to seven the total number of countries which had their population census taken under the aegis of the African Census Programme. So far, 22 Governments had receive·i technical and/ or financial assistance from the 0nited Nations in the planning and conduct of their national census programme.

129. Preliminary data were available for the Gongo 1 the Gambi<-1- 1 the Libyan Arab 2cepublic 1 Nigeria and the Sudo_n and similar data would soon be a-Vailable for Liberia and I'f.auri tius. Lata for the remaining countries participating in the African Census Programme should be available by 1976.

130. Twenty-seven census experts were now working in 18 AfricEm countries. '.[lhree of them hc..d taken up their assiGnment during the preceding six months and. their function was to assist in initial planning, questiom1aire design, preparation cf instructions and procedures, table design, tro:-,inin.g of field ;;mel central office staff and other activities related to the Census ProbTamme.

131. At the regional leve::., several of the ten advisers 2opproved by S:Nli'PA for the African ·.Jensus Progr.::1mme had taken up their duties. Durin(; the period under review, the regional staff carried out 40 advisory missions to 18 co1mtries. The missions covered various aspects of census taking such as the development of census plans and the formulation of individual country projects. The experts gave advice on organiza­ tional1 administrative a.nd other af:lpects of the cemms programmes, evaluated the progress made and c:.ssisted in the analysis, ir..terpret<."1tion and utilization of censuf:l .dat~·-· - ?.1 -

1 WG.S L32o A workshop on the computer processing ol' census data, ::;cCEllllS 7 organized 3-t .'l.ddis Ababa with the participation of the }.i-i:;hiopi&n ':iem.t:::-a: i~te.tistical Cffice 1 3tcdistics Canada and the :Jnited Sto.t~s :Burflc.:u. of the Gemms. ::::t was intended to 'l.ssist the various African countries in develor,:ing r:l::ms for the computer prqcessing of their census data by the COCE11Trs system, ~'- later versicn of the CE1~8 ·system · translated in:to COJ3GL programming langu.o.{;e o Separate sessions were cc.nduot.~d for the ten English-speaking and 12 French-spei:'..king participants and the three weeks 1 Gourse iVas designed to train participants ir: <1nu.lysing cer.sus d2.ta and prel:lenting the resu::..ts neaningfully, with less effort and at a lower cost. l33o The second meeting of the TJni-l:;ed Nations Census Experts Assigned_ to the African Jensus Programme was held at Addis Ababa in August _1974· .Among other things, it iiscussed the technical c:.nd organizational ]_jroblems of the African :'Jensus Prograrr.me,. the reports of individ,.ml census operations and individual project experiences.

134. The fourth meeting of the African Census Progr~--..mme Consultative Group wa,s also h.eld at Addis Ababa in Septemb-er 1974· It review~d the status report of the 1-drican 'Jensus Programme, the action required to _ensure its full implementation and its financing and administrative aspects, the special problems in census methodology, regional advisory services and the prospects for greater standardization.

135. Other activities of the Centre included the publication of the African Gensus Progremme Newsletter on a :ruc:.rterly "basis, the preparation and distribution of technical reports and participation in other meetings relating- to population programmes .. at both Headquarters and EGA o

~ransport, communications and t?uris~

136. The Port ~~nagement Association of North Africa was estallished at a meeting in June 1974 and formalities were completed for bringing a similar Association into being for Eastern Africc:.. Together with the Port l'/f..an::,gement Asscciatic,n for West and Central Africa, they were to be :responsible for promoting the improvement, cc­ ordinc:.tion and standardization of African port operations, equipment and services within each subregion in order to improve the efficiency of ports and harbourl:l. r.rh8y would also serve as an important link in the institutional network which Ji~CJ,. was designing to deal with multimodal transport development at the subregional level.

137. Effective teclmical assistc:.nce to the Port Management /.,__ssociation was beine; considered by ~CA in co-operation with other united Nations agencies. At an inter­ agency meeting (UNLr /ECA./UN\!'I~Il/IMCO) held in June 19'( 4, ae;reew:mt W

138. Meetings on combined transport arrarigementl:l were held for East Africc:. mid for West and Centr1;l.l Africa to consider major multinational issues and policj es iri -tr... e field of combined transport and trans}:ort prcblems affectL1r-; the subregions wi tl: a view to extending and improving the co-ordination of transport <1Gtivities 7 includir..g fut-ure developments in transport 1 and to establish priori ties d the m-u.Hin<.tional level. Roth subrer;ional meetings decided t_c convene meetii1~s of Tof.inisters of 'l1rar..sr:;ort in 1975 to endorse the policy recommendations which inci'ud;ed recr'mmendations for the establishment of permanent machinery to ensure effective c~-ordiri::,tion. !n p-u.rsusanr.e of those recommendations, the secretariat was ""J.ndertaking the task of Simplifying - 22- and standardizing the documents and procedures used in the moverr.ent of commodities in intern2,tiona,l and internal trade. To initiate action at the nc;,tiona,l and sue­ regional levels in this field 7 a mission to severc;,l African countries was planned for early 1975· 139. Work continued on the study of air freight potential in developingAfrica with the oojective of (a) evaluating the potential air freight carriage for intra-African ~nd African originating inter-continental movements (at specified cost levels) ; \_o) recommending methods of increasing the utilization of capacity, allocation of and requirements for capacity and facilities·, ooth ground and air ~nd (a) stimulating thought and discussion on the development of air f~eight and its infrastructure. In this connexion country studies of a numoer of African countries were either 1 completed or were in preparation. 140. A draft proposal for the estaolishment of an African air freight orokerage system with the possiole suosequent development of an African multinational all­ freiGht airline was to oe suomitted to memoer States oy the oeginning of 1975 for their criticis~ 7 comments and suggestions. 141. 'l'he second General Assemoly of the "Cnion of African Railways took place in ZaQre in Octooer 1974 and elected a President (Sudan), 4 Vice-Presidents (Tunisia, ?.ar::Oia, Ghana and Cameroon) and a Secretary-General. The Assemoly also accepted the offer of the Government of Za2re to host the union; it admitted the railway organization of Gaoon to full memoership and adopted the organizational strupture of the ~nion's secretariat and the oudget. The secretariat would have as top priority the task of linking neighoouring railway networks.

142. The meetings organized oy the secretariat in January .197 4 in connexion vri th t:J Trans-West African Highway networkA~d set u~ two Co-ordinating Cemmittees, one fo~ the Dakar-Ndjamena Highway and the other for the Nouakchott-Lagos Highway, with the task of promoting and co-ordinating the pianning1 construction and improvement of the respective highways. The two Committees chose the Trans-African Eighway Bureau to serve as their secretariat and the Bureau was currently engaged in identifying those sections of the highways needing improvement.

143. The ~agos-Momoasa Trans-African Highway Co-ordinating Committee held its fourth meeting in April 1974 and reviewed progress on the project. It alsc -~ examined the secretariat's five-year programme for the implementation of studies and construction work concerning feeder roads to the Trans-African Highway. 'Ihe Committee also requested the Executive Secretary to organize a ministerial conference for a detailed consideration of the documents prepared oy the Trans~ifrican Highway Bureau on the estaolishment of the Trans-African Highway Authority and Raod Fund.

144. The symposium on highway engineering organized oy the secretariat in co­ operation with the Governments of Ii'rance and the United Kingdom in April 1974 examined the question of highway design1 construction and-maintenance. If further recommended the creation of inter-State committees of high technical capacity for the co-ordination of road research, the estaolishment of an African road documen­ tation centre under the auspices of EGA, the intensification of training in the field of highway engineering and the organization of similar symposia in future. - 23-

145. The Co-ordinating Committee for the implementation of the Pan~frican

Telecommunications Network (ADR 7 ECA 7 ITU.and QATJ) contin"'.led its efforts to organize the fund for financing the network. It also set up teclLnical and financial sub-committees to check specifications and the qu.ali ty of equipment to be supplied, to control prices, harmonize the funding programme with the time-table for technical implementation and to ensure effective technical and .financial co-ordination of · the project.

146. The. secretr::,riat 7 in co-operation with OAU and members of the United Nations system7 was examining the possibilities of assisting member countries in their efforts to review the national and'regional problems inherent in a multinational communications satellite and alternative integrated systems for education, infor­ mation, broadcasting and public communication.

147. A preliminary study on satellite communication services and the economics of their installation and use in the African region was completed and the report would be published soon.

148. In conjunction with the OA.U secretariat, draft statutes for the proposed African Telecommunications Union were completed and circulated to member countries for their comments.

149. In co-operation with United Nations Headquarters, arrange.ments were made with the Universal lt'ederation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA) at :Brussels to carry out perioQical surveys among travel wholecalers in important travel markets on advance booking of overseas package tours.

150. In order to assess the full impact of itilation and the energy crisis on the demand for intercontinental holiday travel 7 a data collecting mission was sent to the Federal Republic of Germany, Switzerland and Italy. As a result, a paper was prepared on the demand for intercontinental holiday travel and the information obtained was also used in formulating recommendations for the final report on tourism in Senegal.

151. Missions were carried out to Somalia to work out a blueprint for establishing tounsm statistics in conformity with United Nations recommendations and to the United Republic of Tanzania in order to advise the Government on marketing and promotional policies and on the reorganization of some State-owned tourist enter­ prises.

Conferences and meetings

152. A detailed list of conferences, meetings, seminars and tFaining courses organized during the period under review will be found in annex II.

D. THE Alt,RICAIN IN.::i'J:ITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANn PIAI:'ir\TNG

153. Research, training and advisory services constituted the main activities of IDEP. They were carried out within a single framework and complemented one another. Research, focussing on a better understanding of African development problems and the search for practical solutions to them, was initiated and promoted mainly through the organization of conferences or symposia. The results of the research were used as an important input in regional training seminars and courses organized

i " . - 24 hy the Institute, for providing consultancy services to Africar:. Governments and other regional organizationG in Afric2. 7 at their request, and for improving scien­ tific knowledge or:. the nature of African development proclems.

154. In October 1971 1 the Institute launched <.L. progre,rnrne of individualized training through research and some 25 research fellow~ from various countries of Africa were recruited each year to partici:p2..te in the progr2,mme. The reuec:::.rch fellows were exp~cted to follow an intensive training programme on under--development,· development and planning in Africa ~nd to carry out, under the supervision of IrEP staff, pro.ctical resec:.rch on the :proolems of development and planning in Afric2.n countries. The best research papers were to oe published by the Institute.

155. rurinG; the review period, the Institute organized a Conference on the importanc of. multinational corpora_tions <.UJ.d technological de:pendence in Africa

PART II

TWELF~H SESSION OF THE CO~diSSION THIRD JlllEETING OF 'l'EC CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS

A. ATTENDANCE AND ORGANIZATION OF WORK

Opening of ·the meeting I ------,---___..~- 1 156o The twelfth session of the Commission (third meeting of the Conference of Ministers) ~

opened on 2L). February by Mr. Kwame Baah1 Chairman of the Conference at its second

meeting. Statements were made by Mr. Arap Moi 1 Vice-President of Kenya, on behalf

of the President of Kenya, Mr. Va~ Laethem1 United Nations Under-Secretary-General

for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Eteki 1 Administrative Secretary-General of the Organizatio~ of African Unity and the representative of Algeria.

157. The session was attended by representatives of the following member States of the Commission~ Algeria, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic,

Egypt, Ethiopia1 Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda,

Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan1 .Swaziland, Togo, T~misia 1 Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Zaire and Zambia.

158. The following associate members of the Commission were represented: France 1 Mozambique (FRELIMO), Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

159. The follovJing States Members of the United Nations 1t\Tere represented by observers 1

in accorda.nce with article 9 of the Commission's terms of reference: Australia.1

Austria1 Belgium, Canada, Denmark, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Norway 7 Pakistan, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States 7 and Switzerland, a non-member State of the United Nations, was also represented by an observer.

160. The session was also attended by representatives of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 7 the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Sahelian Office (UNSO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (DNEP), the United Nations Children's Fund (ill~ICEF) 7 the World Food Programme (vJFP) and in accordance with article 101 the folllwing specialized agencies: the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Horld Health Organization (vJHO), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International. Monetary Fund (IMF), the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the International Telecom­ munication Union (ITU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). A represent­ ative of the Generar Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was also present. - 26 -

161. The following intergovernmental organizations were represented in accordance with article 12 of the terms of reference: the Association of African Central Banks (AACB), the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), the Central African Customs and Economic Union, the Central Bank of West African States, the Central-Organization of Trade Unions, the Commission of the European Communities, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEAO), the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA), the East African Community (EAC), the League of Arab States, the Mana River Union, the Organization for Econo­ mic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Organization of African Unity ( JAU) and the Organization of African Trade Union Unity.

162. Representatives were also present, in accordance with article 13 of the terms of reference, from the following non-governmental organizations: the Friends World Committee for Consultation, the International Student Movement for the UnitedNations (ISMUN), the International Commission for Social Welfare, the Institut Panafricain · pour le developpement, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).

163o Under rule 19 of the rules of procedure, the Conference decided to set up a committee of the whole to which draft resolutions and other matters could be refer­ red for study and report.

Election of officers

164. At its 176th meeting, the Conference unanimously elected Mr. Mwai Kibaki (Kenya: as Chairman, Mr •. Layachi Yaker (Algeria) as first Vice-Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Mpozagal (Burundi) as second Vice-Chairman and Mr. Ousmane Seck (Senegal) as Rapporteur.

B. AGENDA

165. At its 176th meeting, the Conference adopted the following agenda: 1. Opening of the meeting 2. Election of officers 3. Adoption of the agenda (E/CN.l4/614/Rev.l) and organization of work 4. Amendments to the terms of reference and the rules of procedure of the Commission: participation by national liberation movements in the activi­

ties of the Commission (E/CN.l4/lll/Rev.5; E/C~.l4/630; E/CN.l4/633 1 paragraphs 114-116) 5. Membership and associate membership of the Commission (E/CN.l4/lll/Rev.5; E/CN.l4/630) 6. Report by the Chairman of the Executive Committee (E/CN.l4/578; E/CN.l4/597 E/CN.l4/608; E/CN.l4/620; E/CN.l4/629; E/CN.l4/633; E/CN.l4/INF/81; E/CN.l4/L.433) 7. Staff and administrative questions (E/5253/Add.2/Rev.l; E/AC.6/L.515; E/CN.l4/634) 8. Mid-term review and appraisal of African performance in implementing the International Development Strategy and a review of current economic develop ments and policies in countries members of the Commission (E/CN.l4/600; E/CN.l4/632 (Parts I and II); E/CN.l4/632/Summary; E/CN.l4/637; E/CN.l4/ RES/218(X) and 238(XI) - 27 -

9. Report by the Chairman of the Technical Committee of Experts: (a) Programme of work for the period 1974-1975 (b) Medium-term plan for the period 1976-1979 (c) Declaration and Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order~ (E/5430; E/CN.l4/598/Adds~l-4; E/CN.l4/602; E/CN.l4/635; E/CN.l4/636; E/CN.l4/64l; EjCl\1.14/TEC0/22/ Rev.l and Rev.l/Corr.l; E/CN.l4/TEC0/23 and TEC0/23/Add.l/Revul)

10. Measures to contribute to the implementation of the Declaration1 the Prog­ ramme of Action and the resolutions adopted by the Conference of Develop­ ing Countries on Raw Materials held in Dakar in February 1975

I 11. Arrangements to promote the development of African countries' trade, and particularly of direct intra-African trade (E/CNal4/632)

12. Relations between the Commission and other international organizations (E/CN.l4/605; E/CN.l4/620; E/CN.l4/(,27; E/CN.l4/629)

13. International Women's Year (E/CN.l4/TEC0/23/Rev.2)

14. Date and place of the next meeting

15. Report of the Conference to the Economic and Social Council

C. ACCOUNT OF PROCEEDINGS

166. On behalf of the President of Kenya, the Vice-President, Mr. Arap Moi, welcom­ ed the participants. Noting that important changes had taken place in Africa since the second meeting of the Conference, he welcomed Guinea-Bissau as a full member of the Commission and looked forward to the day when Angola, Mozambique, Sao Tome and. Principe and Namibia would become full members.

167. The past two years had been the most difficult in the history of independent Africa, and efforts to secure a better life had been jeopardized. Unchecked in­ flation j_n the ind.ustrialized countries had hit Africa hard, illustrating how vulnerable African economies were to outside forces. Inflation, together with increased oil prices, had led to an unfortunate deterioration in Africa's terms of trade. "l'·lhile the problems facing the industria,lized world were complex 1 African com1tries, and the drought-stricken countries in particular, had been left with very few options open.

168. Africa could not afford a repetition of such events, and therefore had to reduce its dependence on external factors and exert a greater influence on decision­ making at the international level. In particular, producers of primary commodities should organize themselves so as to prevent importing countries from dictating prices unila,terally. Intra-African co-operation was an important part of the answer to such problems. .The economic justification for increasing the share of intra-African trade in Africa's total trade could not be disp11ted and industriali­ zation targets could not be achieved unless protectionist at·ti tudes gave WG,y to a dynamic perception of economic relations. - 28 -

169. A greater number of member States would m~ce themselves independent of imports as a result of oil discoveries. The less fortunate, however~ had to economize in the use of imported energy and m~e greater use of alternative sourcese The labour force should be fully utilized and all possibilities of applying labour-intensive technology should be exploited so as to check dependence on oil~ save foreign cur­ rency and c:;·enerate increase domestic incomes. Consideration should also be given to the possibility of giving African countries preferential access to African oil.

170o The successful results obtained. by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP). countries in negotiating an agreement with the European Economic Community were largely due to the unity displayed by those countries. The African Group, .assisted by the ECA and OAU secretariats, had played a major role in the last and most difficult stage of the negotiations.

171. It was also high time that Africa's greatest asset, its agricultural potential, was fully realized so that Africa. could not only feed itself b:ut also cover the food deficits of other areas. In that connexion, he expressed his country's full support for the aims of the African Food Plan.

172. He was confident that the participants would not miss the opportunity effec­ tivelyto tackle such problems and wished them well in their deliberations.

173. The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Van Laethem7 thanked the Government of Kenya for acting as host to the meeting. He welcomed Guinea-Bissau as the newest member of the Commission, and pointed out that the United Nations had decided to do everything in its power to help it and the other former Portuguese Territories to solve their economic problems.

174. The Conference was taking place at a time of uncertainty arrl African countries had felt the effects of the economic upheavals and natural disasters .which had characterized the past two years. In that regard, he recalled the efforts made by the United Nations and in particular the Emergency Fund operationt;: and the machinery to aid the Sahel and pa.id tribute to countries which had responded to the appeals of the United l~·ations. Clearly~ simila.r priori ties would have to be set in the years to come and the international community would have to tackle the pressing problems arising from the world economic recession and the confrontation between petroleum producers and consumers.

175. The present generation could no longer remain indifferent to its new responsi­ bilities and many international meetings were scheduled for 1975 to design ways and means of accelerating development on a pla.r.ned basis. The United Nations Secretariat was concerned to ensure that such meetings should lead to substantial progress towards co-operation among pepples and a better and fairer world. Regional organizations such as the Commission had a very important role to play.

176. Through its diversity, the African continent provided a striking picture of the problems facing the world. Because of its history, Africa was in a position to offer constructive approaches to deal with current problems and to counter the opposition to their solutions. He hoped that the Conference would throw light on the difficult discussions the world had embarked upon, and felt that the session had every chance of proving fruitful. - 29 -

177. Mr. Eteki, Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity, welcomed the fact that, in its endeavours to break out of its underdevelop­ ment, Africa had organizations which complemented each other and through v.rhich it could develop a, productive programme of action.

178. In a world of confrontation rather than co-operat1on, Africa had to show its ability to fight for its minimum claims of fair prices, control over its natural

resources 7 . non-discriminatory access to the advantages of science and technology and full partnership in the formulation of an international monetary and trade policy.

What was needed, in fact 1 was to complete the process of decolonization, for the process of economic decolonization was as inexorable as that of political decoloniza­ tion. Organization was required, however, and there the Conference had an important role to play. It had to give directives and put forward new options. Such direc­ tives and options should be. consistent with the OAU Declaration on Co-operation. Development and Economic Independence in order to avoid approaches that were inspir­ ed by institutions still dependent on a world which accepted the imperialism of

power 1 vested interests and ideologies. There was no doubt that, in the establish­

ment of a new international economic order1 t;he initiatives and decisions hctd to be taken by those who wa,nted to overthrow the old order. Africa should therefore introduce its own parameters based on an intimate knowledge of its needs and its own philosophy of development, in order to assert its authenticity in the field of development.

179. Bearing in mind the forthcoming special session of the General Assembly, the OAU Council of Ministers had adopted at its twenty-fourth session a resolution cal­ ling on the Administrative Secretary-General, in co-operation with ECA, UliOP and

other United Na,tions institutions 1 to prepare a paper ·to assist the African Group to present a united front for the decisive confrontation. The paper should consti­ tute a clear statement of Africa's development philosophyo

180. The long-standing co-operation between OAU and ECA gEwe grounds for beli.eving that satisfactory results could be obtained. In that regard 1 it was essential that, whatever the exact institutional relationship between ECA and OAU, the former should become an operationa,l weapon in the struggle for survival. Africa had to show it­ self as a force which could withstand the challenge of either equitable co-operation or else confrontation, in which Africa would triumph in the end.

181. The representative of Algeria said that he was sure that the Conference vmuld make a positive contribution to the establishment of a new international economic order and to the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the special session of the General Assembly in that regard. To that end, parti­ cipants-should bear in mind the important decisions adopted by the Conference of Developing Countries on Rav.r Materials held at Dakar under the auspices of the non­ aligned group of countries.

182. The year 1973 had represented a turning point in the history of international relations, since it was then that the third world had decided to become self-reliant.

183. Henceforth the African countries' approach to development and international co-operation would be based on the principles of justice, equality, democracy in­ dependence and partic~.pation in the establishment of the world's financial, monetary, - 30 --

trade and political systems. In the context of the Second General Conference of UNIDO, the developing countries had to ensure that they would receive fair prices for their products and be able to use the resulting revenue to ensure their develop­ ment. The decisions of the preparatory meeting at Algiers would be of great value in that regard.

184. The best way of ensuring the establishment of a new international economic order was to safeguard the unity and solidarity of the third world. With decisions

based on the will of the peoples of Africa1 Asia and Latin America, the third world ~ould assert its interests and the international community would be increasingly forced to recognize that the third world was determined to build a world of justice, peace and progress.

185. Before handing the meeting over to its new Chairman, Mr. Baah, the Chairman of the meeting1 at its second Conference said that the drama of the past two years demanded a rectification of existing unjust global economic relationshipso A choice had to br:; made between the ideal of international co-operation based on the dignity of man and the outmoded doctrines of power politics and· crude national self-interest. He reviewed the aims of the International Development Strategy and drew attention to the dualism in Africa implicit in the co-existence of a small modern sector and a large traditional sector in which living standards were intolerably low. With

regard to grovJth 7 Africa had failed to achieve its goals~ The •vork programme of ECA should therefore be reviewed with a view to increasing the effectiveness of the Commission in eliminating poverty in Africa.

186. In view of the need to implement the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, the Declaration and Prog­ ramme of Action adopted at the Conference of Developing Countries on Raw Materials and the recommendations of the meeting of the Group of 77 held at Algiers in order to prepare for the Th~IDO General Conference, changes should be made so as to produce an action-orientated programme aimed. at ensuring that member States had full sovereignty over their natural resources, arresting the tendency elf the terms of trade to deteriorate, enabling producers of raw materials to forge uniform stands in bargaining with consumers' organizations in the developed countries and develop­ ing appropriate financial institutionso

187. The most serious obstacle to the elimination of poverty in Africa had been the twin problems of drought and encroaching desert, especially in the Sudano-Sahelian zone. It was the duty of the Conference to devise, as. a matter of urgency, projects a,nd programmes which would produce a lasting solution to those problems, by giving special attention to the vital question of transport in the least accessible regions in the land-locked countries of the middle belt of the Sahel. Attention should also be given to ways and means of implementing the African Food Programme proposed ·by the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought ControL The work of collecting the relevant climatological and hydrological data must continue; and programmes and

projects for water conservation, reafforestation1 disease control and resettlement should be implemented or their implementation accelerated. - 31 -

188. The second serious problem which African countries should deal with was the tendency for their terms of trade to deteriorate, resulting in transfers of real resources to the developed countries. The prices of African exports had also suf­ fered extreme fluctuation. In 1973 and the first .half of 1974 there had been temporary rises in the prices of certain commodities, which in most cases had been more apparent than real, since African colintries had·had to pay continuously rising prices for their imports. It was expected that for the rest of the decade the financial requirements of the non-oil producing African countries would be signifi­ cantly greater. Those countries vmuld have to redouble their efforts to restruc­ ture their economies in such a way as to achieve greater self-reliance, promote intra-African trade, find new markets and reduce imports.

189. On the question of energy, he said that the energy cr1s1s was not the sole factor contributing to the present economic difficulties of African countries. He mentioned the bold steps taken by the Organization of African Unity at its eighth extraordinary session to remedy the effects of the world energy crisis on African countries, but said that other effective action was essential. The OAU enlarged Committee of 12 had stressed the need for medium-term and long-term solutions and measures, and the question was also being studied within the framework of Afro-Arab economic co-operation. He felt that the Conference might do well to study seriosly the subject of Afro-Arab economic co-operation, since it was totally unacceptable that Africa should sit still while the developed world implemented programmes to recycle oil money for its own benefit. The ECA secretariat had alreany undertaken useful work.in that field.

190. With the disintegration of Portuguese colonialism in Africa, there was a need for African Governments to step up their struggle for the economic independence of the continent. Changed political conditions made it imperative for more emphasis to be placed on economic, scientific and cultural matters.

191. In closing, he thanked the Conference for having allowed him to enjoy the privilege of serving it and for the understanding and co-operation extended to him during his term of office.

AMENDMENTS TO THE: TERMS OF REFERENCE AND THE: RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE COMMISSION: PARTICIPATION BY NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENTS IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION

(Agenda item 4)

192. The Chairman drew the attention of the Conference to Economic and Social Coun­ cil resolution l892(LVII) 7 in which all the specialized agencies and organizations within the United Nations system were called upon to make appropriate procedural arrangements and if necessary, amend their relevant instruments, with a view to enabling the representatives of the liberation movements recognized by the Organiza­ tion of African Unity to participate fully as observers in all proceedings relating to their countries, particularly so as to ensure that assistance projects of the agencies and organizations were carried out for the benefit of the national libera­ tion movements and the peoples of the liberated areas. At its twelfth meeting, the Executive Committee had considered action which might be needed to implement that resolution where the Commission was concerned, and had decided to submit to the Conference of Ministers for adoption a proposal for amendments to the rules of pro­ cedure of the Commission, a proposal for amendments to the terms of reference of the - 32 -

Commission and a recommendation that the Conference should decide to arrange for the Commission to defray the travel expenses and subsistence expenses of representa­ tives of the national liberation movements recognized by OAU who participat.ed in the Commission's proceedings and seek an increase in the regula,r annual budget of the Commission to cover the costs ·arising from that decision (E/CN.l4/EC0/78, p8,ragraphs ll5 and 116 ).

193. Following e: number of statements and suggestions for modifications to the pro-. posals, the matter was referred to the Committee of the whole for more detailed discussione After considering the conclusions reached by the Committee of the whole,

the Conference unanimousl~ adopted a r~solution on the subject (see part III below 1 resolutions 254(XII), 255\XII) and dec1ded to forward to the Economic and Social Council a draft resolution for adoption by the Council (see part IV below).

MEMBERSHIP AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION

(Agenda i tern 5 )

194. Speaking on behalf of the plenary Conference~ the Chairman welcomed Guinea­ Bissau, a Member of the United Nations since 17 September 1974, to full membership in the Commission and said that the Conference of Ministers was looking forward to the time when some of the other associate members of the Commission attained in­ dependence and could also be 1-Jelcomed as full members.

195. No other questions pertaining to membership and associate membership were raised.

REPORT BY THE CIL.HRMAN OF THE EXECDriVE COMMITTEE

(Agenda i tern 6)

196. The Che,irman of the Executive Committee at its twelfth meeting, Mr. Ba,ah 1 re­ ported to the Conference on the ~.Jork of the Committee at its ninth, tenth, eleventh_ e,nd twelfth meetings, which had been held since the second meeting of the Conference, and outlined the Committee's discussions and decisions relating to the drought in Africa, food security, assistance to Zambia, international negotiations, st2,ff and administrative questions 1 the establishment of a new interna,tional economic order and various other issues, ~oJhich were reflected in the reports of those meetings

(E/CN. 14/597 1 E/CliJ.l4/608, E/CN.l4/578 .:wd E/CN. 14/633 ), -and in a report from the Committee to the Conference on staff and administrative questions (E/CN.l4/634).

197. One representative, recalling· the thorough discussion of the drought problem at the twelfth meeting of the Committee, said he understood that Ethiopia had announced that it needed huge quantities of grain in order to be able to overcome its problemso It seemed to him that there had been difficulties in obtaining sup­ plies of grain from other African countries, and he wished to kno1tr what action had been taken to investigate and remedy those difficulties.

198. Another representative welcomed the establishment of an Intergovernmental Com­ mittee of Experts on Science and Technology Development in Africa, but sought details of the work that was being carried out at its request by the relevant sec­ tion of the secretariat, especially in terms of resources made or being made avail­ able for the implementation of the various recommendations of the Committee. - 33 -

199. Several representatives drew attention to the urgent need for practical activ­ ities in the Sudano-Sahelian zJne. The programme drawn up by CILSS in 1973 was modest compared with the requirements of the area, but even so had not been initiated in all its partso ECA should ensure that it played a part in the process of re­ habilitation~ and should work closely with the Inter-State Committee in identifying and readjusting projects and requesting adequate feasibility studiesa UN~P could be of assistance in approaching possible sources of funds.

200. Further information was requested from the secretariat concerning two matters referred to in the report of the Executive Committee on its twelfth meeting (E/CN.

14/633) 1 namely a progress report on initiatives pursued in promoting multinational industries and the offer of the Moroccan Government to sell phosphate on very favourable terms.

201. The Conference was urged to take into account the human aspect of the drought problem as it affected the neighbours of the directly affected countries. Those neighbours often found themselves hosts to migrants from the drought zone who had fled the "rorst of its effects.

202. Referring to the projected establishment of an African Arid Zone Institute, one representative said that the current medium-term measures must be supplemented by studies for a long-term project on the collection of information on climatic be­ haviour~ the distribution and conservation of natural resources and research aimed at solving the drought problems and preventing the further advance of deserts.

203. The representative of Zambia expressed appreciation to the Executive Conimittee 1 its Chairman and many African co~Ultries for their interest and concern in aiding his country with its trade problemso Though Zambia still faced many obstacles to its full economic development~ it was fortified by the knowledge that it was contribut­ ing to the struggle against the racists in southern Africa.

204. It was pointed out that congratulations for generous assistance to Zambia were due not only to Tanzania but to the other countries of East Africa as wello

205. The representative of Somalia expressed appreciation to those States which had assisted the country in dealing with its drought problems 1 c:tnd regretted that the documents which had been circulated did not include Somalia among the countries which had been severely affected by the drought.

206. Responding to questions raised by various representatives 1 the &~ecutive Secretary said that it had been determined that under UNDP and WFP procedures it· was possible to obtain supplies of grain for African countries with shortages from other countries in Africa. The offer of phosphates on favourable terms by Morocco had been made at the twelfth meeting of the Executive Committee, but since that time no further information had been received from Morocco 1 and no inquiries had been made by countries interested in taking up the offero If requested 1 ho,rever, the secretariat would follow up the matter.

207. The Executive Secretary recalled that the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts for Science and Technology Development in Africa had met twice to date, and had reviewed the activities of the secretariat's Science and Technology Section. It seemed clear that additional budgetary resources were required for work in that field, and that extra-budgetary funds were also needed; some pledges had already been received in that connexion. - 34 -

208. On the matter of multinational industries, the Executive Secretary pointed out that the relevant report had been submitted to the Technical Committee of Experts, for use in its preparation of the work programme, rather than the Conference itselfo However, the report was available in the form of document E/CN.l4/636 for those who wished to consult it.

209. Turning to the question of UNDATs and the possibility of harmonizing their work

with that of ECA's subregional offices, he pointed out that 1 regrettably, the UNDATs had· never had enough resources at their disposal and that they had been very thinly spread over the continent. The consolidation. of subregional offices with the ne11r teams had been partly designed to ensure that greater resources and staff were made available. The search for funds was organized by Headquarters, which itself contact­ ed friendly countries which were possible donors, and at one stage New York had been fairly optimistic about financial prospects - though ECA itself had cautioned against excessive hopes. Later Headquarters had announced that funds were scarce, and the

UNDAT programme had consequently proceeded rather slowly. Now 1 however, funds had been pledged from one source for one Team and work was to start shortly on an UNDAT to serve Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi and possibly other countries, depending on the prog-­ ress of current consultations" Established procedures were now in place for all the u~ATs despite early problems, and the secretariat would in future concentrate on l'll'hat had already been set up.

210. In response to a question concerning livestock programmes, the Executive Secretary reported that studies on the subject with a view to the identification of possible projects had been launched. for several subregions with the assistance of FAOo Identification would be followed by the mobilization of resources for implemen­ tation. He stressed. that until recently the regional economic commissions had not enjoyed the status of executing agencies, and that consequently such projects had required not only the backing, but also the leadership of FAO. Governments interest­ ed in such projects should contact resident representatives in order to draw up plans for financing.

2llo In response to a representative who had felt that the secretariat had been over-optimistic in describing 1974 as a very good year for the Sudano-Sahelian coun­ tries, thus raising the possibility that aid efforts would be relaxed, the Executive Secretary said that the description of 1974 as favourable had been intended as relative compared Nith preceding years. There had been no intention to suggest that all problems had been solved. The Technical Committee of Experts had discussed the problems currently affecting Somalia, and the secretariat was fully aware of the situation there and the efforts being made to alleviate it.

212. The need for a long-term project related to drought problems had been recogniz­ ed in the establishment by UNDPf WMO: UNESCO, FAO and other organizations of a prog­ ramme which would promote work aimed at preventing a repetition of the consequences of the drought and combating desert encroachment. The Conference could play a role in approving or amplifying the arrangements so far made.

213. One representative had expressed regret that the secretaria,t had not prepared a bri8f report of all four meetings of the Executive Committee. The secretariat had not felt that to be necessary, but had circulated copies of the four individual reports, each of which, it was felt, was short enough to be convenient. Note had been taken of the views expressed, however, and the secretariat would be pleased to folloN in future any guidelines the Conference might wish to lay down. - 35 -

214. It had also been noted that the report of the Committee on its twelfth meeting contained no reference to specific decisions which would lead to the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New Inter­ national Economic Order~ the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its sixth special session, the fundamental decisions of African Governments within OAU and the decisions of the non-aligned countrieso The Executive Secretary noted that the Declaration and Programme of Action had been discussed by the Executive Com­ mitteE: and passed on to the Technical Committee of Expertse The Conference would have before it the reports of the recent important meetings held in Dakar and in Algiers. It was hoped that, on the basis of those documents, it would be possible to lay down a programme for implementation by EGA. He pointed out that, at the forthcoming special session of the General Assembly? Africa should ensure that it _was able to present and defend its own position on the subject. The secretariat had initiated work on preparing such a position, and it was hoped that the Con­ ference would m~ce its own contribution.

215. In response to comments that insufficient attention had been paid by the Com­ mittee to the special problems of the land-lockE'd countries, the Executive Secretary stressed the role of a joint ECA/OAU committee on the problem, which had worked in close co-operation 11\l"ith UNCTAD in championing the cause of such countries. The four reports before the Conference contained many references to the problems of the land­ lockedo Neither the secretariat nor ECA's various bodies had overlooked those prob­ lems, and he hoped that the resolutions which were to be submitted shortly would contain new references to the problem of the land-locked countries.

216. One representative had suggested that UNDP fellowship funds should be used to send young economists to work in various UNDATs. The Executive Secretary noted that a major feature of the teams 1>Vas that they were closer to African Governments, could respond more speedily when required and could train local personnel at the same time. Young African professionals would undoubtedly benefit from the application of fellowship funds to training in UNDATs.

STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONS

(Agenda i tern 7)

217. A representative of the secretariat introduced document E/CN.l4/634. He said 7 that Africanization was continuing~ but that the major problem encountered at all levels was the shortage of qualified personnel. It was difficult for the secreta­ riat to recruit staff from over-represented countries, and under-represented coun­ tries V~rere often unable to release their nationals. The Executive Secretary had addressed a letter to African Governments soliciting nominations, but the response had been disappointing. On the matter of the Secretary-General allowing greater flexibility in the application of General Assembly resolution 2736(XXV) so that applicants from over-represented countries could be accepted on a. fixed-term basis 1 the ·Secretary-General had said tha,t he could not unilaterally invalidate General Assembly directives. It might therefore be appropriate for the African Group to take up the question at the next session of the General Assembly so "that the pro­ visions of the resolution in question could be modified. A recruitment mission was to be dispatched to African countries, and it was hoped that the participants would use their influence in persuading Governments to release national staffQ States would have to make the necessary sacrifices if they wished to increase the degree of Africanization in the secretariat. With regard to language staff, the secreta­ riat had transmitted applications from Africans to Headquarters so that the necessary - 36 -

examinations could be arranged, and it was hoped that successful candidates would be assigned to the Cv,amission. In addition, ECA and OAU were establishing a train­ ing programme and it was hoped that the combined efforts of the two organizations would produce useful results. Finally, he drew attention to the statement of finan­ cial implications of the proposal for the adop-~ion of Arabic as a working language of the Commission.

218. One representative noted that the Executive Committee had been informed that the various organs of ECA had no jurisdiction over staff matterso If African coun­ tries wished to pursue the matter further, they would have to raise it in the Genera

Assembly and~ more specificall3r7 the Fifth Commi tteei only through those bodies could the Conference secure jurisdiction over staff matterso He trusted that Africa delegations to the thirtieth session of the Assembly would bear in mind the impor­ tance of taking the initiative.

219. All participants expressed their appreciation of the efforts made to Africanize the· secretariat since the last meeting of the Conference of Ministers. It was how­ ever felt that efforts should be continued in that direction, particularly with regard to the number of non-Africans holding higher posts in the secretariat. It was recognized that a major problem was that of informing Governments of the posts available a~nd the type of candidate required for such posts. The recruitment poli­ cies of the United Nations should be adapted to African conditions in the case of the staff of the Commissiono Several members stressed the importance of recruiting young graduates straight from college who would then be trained on the job. If carE were exercised in selecting the best possible graduates, university recruitment could be a valuable source of staff.

220. A lengthy discussion took place on the question of regional distribution among the staff of the Commission. It was generally agreed that there should be grea:ter flexibility in the application of General Assembly resolution 2736(XXV) so as to ensure that vacant posts might be filled by Africans from over-represented countrie~ in the absence of candidates from under-represented countries. It was pointed out that what was most important was to fill vacant posts with Africans, irrespective of the subregion or linguistic group from which they came. In that regard 1 one member suggested that, in the absence of qualified Africans, applicants from other parts of the third world should be given priority. One representative, however, expressed considerable concern about discrimination against French-speaking members of the staff of the Commission and felt that it was of paramount important to ensurE a linguistic balance. Others felt that in any case to divide Africans into French­ speaking and Dnglish-speaking groups was an anachronistic remnant of colonialism and that the issue at stake was to provide the Commission with the most competent and technically qualified Africans possible.

221. A proposal was made that African Governments should establish and finance a common training institution for language staff, who could then be employed in the service of their Governments and the private sector as well as in international organizations.

222. One member requested the secretariat to inform the Conference of the measures that had been taken to fill the increasing number of vacant posts and to implement the recommendation of the Executive Committee that members of the secretariat shou~ be promoted on the basis of their seniority, qualifications, experience and effi- ciency. - 37 -

223. With regard to Commission resolution 242(XI), one member proposed that the Conference should appoint a pressure group, the members of which would be designated by the Chairmanp to work towards securing acceptance of the resolution by the Econo­ mic and. Social Council and the General Assembly. Another member felt that the Conference had done all it could in tha.t regard and that it should trust in the Executive Secretary's ability to manage staff matters rather than pushing the matter any further. It was also pointed out that the most controversial part of the resolution 'V'Te.s the phrase 11 having taken into account the views of the ECA Staff Committee''·

224o The proposal that Ara.bic should be made an official language of the Commission was fully supported. It was noted that Arabic had for a long time been used in several specialized agencies and was now used at United Nations Headquarters. ·In

addition? it ~.oras pointed out that~ unlike English and French 1 Arabic was a truly African languageQ

225. Replying to points raised 1 the representative of t-he secretariat assured pa,rti­

cipants that 1 through their Perma.nent Missions in New York 1 Governments were regular­ ly kept informed of the vacancies in the Commission and given the relevant job descriptionsa In aAdj_tion1 from time to time the Commission itself circulated the relevant information. Moreover, recently a system of competitive examinations for

entrance into the lo'V'rer grades had been introduced in certain countries 1 and there was no reason why the system should not be extended to African countries. He out­ lined the promotion machinery which existed and pointed out that the representatives of the staff were fully represented in the relevant bodies. In addition to the

safeguard of having staff representatives involved in the promotion machinery1 an appeals procedure was also open to those who believed that their case had not received due attention.

226. The Executive Secretary said that to manage the staff of an internationa,l organization was a delicate operation. He felt that an agreement had already been reached about Commission resolution 242(XI) since it had been reported to the Executive Committee that the matter could be referred to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. He assured the Conference that there wa.s no discrimination against French-speaking members of staff.

227. He felt that the Commission had a proud record regarding the facilities offered to young Africans. Training was sought for them both outside the United Nations system and within it. Various people had been sent to Ne'V'r York for training and the Commission had in fact supplied a good percentage of the staff of the nevdy esta.b­ lished Economic Commission for \rJestern Asia.

228. Africanization had continued both horizontally and vertically. Many respon­ sible posts had been taken over by Africans who discharged their duties with grea,t credit. It had been a, heal thy process of reform which had not led to bad feelings in respect of persons from other regions working in >vhat was an international

organization. After concluding its discussion of the i tem1 the Conference une.nimous­

~y adopted two resolutions (see part III below 1 resolutions 253(XII) and 259(XII) ). - 38 -

MID-TERM REVIEW A~ID APPRAISAL OF AFRICAN PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND A REVIEW OF CURRENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS AND POLICIES IN COUNTRIES ~EMBERS OF THE COMMISSION

REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS:

(a) Programme of work for the period 1974-1975 (b) Medium-term plan for the·period 1976-1979 (c) Declaration and Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order

MEASTJRES TO CONTRIBL'TE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECLARATION, THE PROGRAMME OF ACTION .A.i'i!D THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE OF DEVELOPING COU1~RIES ON RAW MATERIALS, HELD IN DAKAR IN FEBRUARY 1975

ARRANGEMEl\~S TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMEN'r OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES' TRADE, AND PARTICULARLY OF DIRECT INTRA-AFRICAN TRADE

(A~enda items 8, 9, 10 and ll}

229. Speaking on developments during the first half of the Second United Nations Development Decade, the Executive Secretary stressed that, while most African coun­ tries had tried to accelerate economic growth, extraneous factors had had a sub­ stantial influence on the results of their efforts. The high commodity concentra­ tion of Africa's exports meant that its economic development was influenced by the state of the markets in the developed world. Acute inflation, an adverse balance of payments situation in most developed countries and fluctuations in commodity prices, including that of oil, were the three major problems confronting the world.

230o Both inflation and an adverse balance of payments situation in several ' developed countries had been cited as reasons for the restricting of the flow of external finance to developing countries. Moves by the major payments-su:rplus countries, particularly the oil-exporting countries, to provide financial help to countries with serious balance of payments problems had helped to ease the situa­ tion to some extent.

231. He drew attention -to document E/CN.l4/632 1 which contained a summary of the first biennial review of African performance (E/CN.l4/600), in which it was shown that the average growth rate of GDP in developing Africa from 1970 to 1973 had been 4.6 per cent a year, compared with a target of 6 per cent a yearo Disappoint­ ing performances in the agricultural sector had been mainly responsible for the failure to a,chieve the target. In that sector the increase in output had been less than 1 per cent a year, against a target of 4 per cent.

232. The year 1974 had been better, and preliminary figures suggested that agri­ culture had managed to recover from the low production levels of 1973, and that its growth rate had probably been about 3 per cent. The over-all GDP growth rate at constant prices was thought to have been over 5 per cent and might even have ~xceeded 6 per cent. 39 -

33. In 1973 the average price of Africa's 20 major export commodities had risen by 5 per cent over the level of 1972 in terms of United States dollars. In 1974 prices ad increased by over 100 per cent if petroleum was taken into account, but by only 5 per cent if it was excluded. At the same time there had been large increases in -he prices of imported foodstuffsj petroleum and manufactured products.

34. For the 36 ECA member States which were not significant oil exporters, exports ere estimated to have increased by about $US 27 400 millidn in 19741 while imports ad increased by ~~US 4 1 800 million. A position of approximate balance in 1973 had

urned into one of a trade deficit of $US 21 400 million~ which had been met by run­ ing down foreign assets, drawings on IliJIF and by special arrangements with various rganizationso

35. The year 1975 might bring reduced export earnings in a majority of ECA member tates~ and the preoccupation of the world's advanced countries to bring their xternal payments more into balance would make it difficult for them to consider llocating more resources for development in Africa. The progress made in recycling ~he surpluses of the oil-producing countries would be a key factor in deciding the level of economic activity in the world and in Africa. It was enoo~~aging to note ~hat the Arab countries were extending assistance to African countries with difficul­ ;ies in their balance of payments.

~36. Although some countries vmuld benefit from high prices for their major exports 1 L975 was likely to be a difficult year in Africa. It was hoped that, after the ~xperiences of high and then low commodity prices, the world community would now more •illingly face up to the task of working out stabilization measures that would enable )rimary producers to face the future without the constant fear that all their develop­ nent programmes would be upset by unfavourable price movements.

37. IBRD had made projections of the addj_tional capital required by developing coun­ ries in the remaining years of the 1970s, and had forecast that the expected slow-· ng of economic growth in the industrialized countries would reduce growth rates in he developing countries from about 6 per cent pro,jected in 1973 to a figure of etween 2 and 5 per cent a year.

38. The experience of the years 1973 and 1974 had brought home to African countries hat it was no longer possible to rely on the availability of cheap food supplies rom external sources. Governments of the region must re-examine their agricultural )olicies and arrange for their people to be fed~ clothed and housed to the greatest ~xtent possible from national production.

~39. In the drought-stricken areas of Africa, losses of human life and livestock had )een severe in the period 1972-1974• The long-term programme drawn up for the Sahel Ln respect Of Water COnservation, reafforestation, disease COntrol and resettlement v-ith large-scale external aid must be fully implemented .. Development expenditure Ln that zone should go towards the opening up of large areas of land with high ~conomic pctentialo

~40. Africa's population was still increasing at between 2.6 and 2.8 per cent a rear, with the likelihood that the current 400 million total for the continent would iouble by the year 2000. Education enrolment ratios had been rising and would prob­ ~bly continue to do so up to 1980i however, increasing attention must be given to - 40-

obtaining ma,ximum benefits from expenditure on education. School curricula should include material relevant to future occupations, a:nd more emphasis should be put on training to raise the efficiency of the labour force. The present slow growth in food supply in Africa was likely to lead to higher levels of malnutrition unless agricultural policies were devised to promote food production at a much faster rate than population grmo~th.

241. 'I'he most serious social problem at present in many countries was unemployment and underemployment. There was very little wage employment in most ECA member Statesj and although there had been industrial development in recent years, it had only limited impact on the absorption of the growing labour force. Specific measures to promote land reform and redistribution and to raise productivity in rural areas could help to resolve the rural underemployment problem.

242. The outlook for the remaining years of the Decade was that African States were not likely to be able to speed up their growth rates alone. Concerted action by the entire international community was required, but at the same time African countries must help themselves by emphasizing development projects whichmade maximum use of domestic resources and were labour-intensiveo

243. The United Nations Assista,nt Secretary-General for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, speaking in her capacity as Secretary-General of the Inter­ national Homen Is Year and of the vJorld Conference of nJY to be held in Mexico City

from 19 June to 2 July 1975 1 said that although the need for an integrat~d approach to economic and social development had been generally accepted, the international community was not giving the same attention to the social targets set in the Second Internationa,l Development Strategy as it was to the economic targets. Indeed, there had been hardly any progress in the attainment of the full integration of women and young people in the total development effort specifically called for in the Inter­ national Development Strategy.

244. International lolomen 1 s Year and the Horld Conference in Mexico· offered a timely opportunity for intensified action towards the integration of women into the develop­

ment effort 1 the need for which had been duly recognized by the General Assembly at its previous session. The Conference was expected to finalize a lr·Torld Plan of Action recommending policy measures for the integra,tion of women in development and thereby serving to render more effective the implementation of the Strategy as a whole. Regional plans of action had also been prepared within the framework of the regional economic commissions, and the action programme for Africa was particularly innovative and included the Pan-African Research and Training Centre for Women and the African lrJomen' s Development Task Force. It had already attracted a great deal of attention in other regions.

245. She commended the leading men and women in Africa who had been working since 1971 to make the long-term plan for the advancement of women possible and had oontri buted to the establishment of the Pan-African Centre and the Development Ta,sk Force. Those projects constituted a significant contribution to the programme for

International Women's Year 1 whose aim was to make women equal partners in the development process for the benefit of society as a whole. In closing, she said she was particularly looking forward to the full particip~tion of ECA member coun­ tries in the World Conference in Mexico. - 41 -

246. The Secretary-General of !ffiBITAT: the United Nations Conference on Human Settle­ ments~ to be held in Vancouver from 31 May to 11 June 1976~ said that he was convinc­ ed that the !ffiBITAT Conference could be of great importance to African countries if their Governments chose to make it so. His secretariat would always look on ~frica 1oJi th special interest because· of the outst2.nding contribution which disting1.rished Africans had made to it 7 because nearly half its professional staff had been born or trained in Africa, because of its close co-operation with the United Nations Environment Programme located in Nairobi and because of the primacy of the 42 nations of Africa in the affairs of the developing worldc

247. United Nations experts had been pointing out for more than a decade that condi­ tions in human settlements were deteriorating everywhere in the world and that the lot of the majority of mankind was growing worse. For that reason7 at its twenty­ seventh and twenty-eighthsessions the General Assembly had voted to convene a world

conference on human settlements. To date 7 more than 100 countries had indicated their interest in taking part in HABITAT, and more than 70 had designated official co-ordinators to work with the secretariato Close to 100 suggestions for film pre- 1sentations showing innovative solutions to human settlement problems had been receiv­ ,ed from Governments, and more were coming in each TJ-Teek. The first formal meeting !of the Conference Preparatory Committee had been held at United Nations Headquarters in January and the report of that meeting would soon be sent to Governments. 1 1975, !of the 54 delegations at the meeting, 17 had come from African countries. Although the work accomplished by the Committee was of great importance in most respects, the fact that the meeting had been dominated by delegations from the industrialized bloc was a cause for concern. If the Conference was to lead to action at·the national and international levels, all countries at all stages of development would have to participate in it.

248. 'I1he manifestations of the grave damage caused by the colonial system lilrere apparent in all countries in the developing world. The effects of colonialism could never be totally eradicated, yet in none of the more than 50 countries he had visit­ ed in connexion with the Conference had he found complacency with existing trends or conditions. The outward manifestations of the problems left in the wake of colonial­ ism included slums and squatter settlements, the congestion and pollution of urban centres~ the decline of rural areas, the inability to provide public utilities and social services, the dilapidation or complete lack of public transport and the degrading level of unemployment and poverty. Indeed, the whole matrix of social organization in the colonial era lilras now on trial. Moreover, the challenge of the future was even more disturbing. The human race would double in number in about 30 years, and the population of .Africa was expected to double in only 25 years.

249. In closing, he stressed the importance of the role of the regional preparatory conferences and of the next meeting of the Preparatory Committee late in 1975. The African regional preparatory conference would be held in Cairo from 21 through 26 June under the auspices of ECAp and he hoped that every member Government would participate fully in it.

250. The Executive Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) expressed his gratitude to the Governments represented at the Conference of Ministers for their strong and warm support of his nomination to the post of Executive Director. He had no doubt that the deliberations of the Conference would form a major contribution to the Second General Conference of UNIDO soon to be held at Lima and to the seventh special session of the General Assembly in September 1975. - 42 -

25L The share of the developing countries in vmrld industrial production was less than 7 per cent, while their population was proportionately 10 times as great. At its first meeting7 the Follow-up Committee ·on Industrialization in Africa, consisting of the officers of the Conference of Ministers of Industry and of top staff members of the secretariats of OAU 1 ECA and UNIDO, had r:ecommended that Africa's share in world industry should be increased and that proposals should be formulated with the aim of progressively ri:tising the share of industry in the gross domestic product of individual African countries. If Africa's share in industrial output was to grow 1 action by African countries themselves would be required as well as assistance from the United Nations system and bilateral aid in many fields. A proper system should be devised to involve the business community in project formulation and implementa­ tton1 and the development of co-operation among African countries, and between them and other developing oo"Lmtries an.d the industrialized countries, was of paramount importance. It was gratifying that those requirements had already met the consensus of the developing countries, as was evident from the ministerial meetings of the non­ aligned nations in Dakar and at the meeting of the Group of 77 in Algierso

252.· In the third. world Africa had the largest number of least developed and land­ locked countries. It was his feeling that such countries should concentrate first on building their economic and social infrastructure and on training. However, at the same time, they could n~t afford to delay the building of their production oapacity1 and for that reason lli~IDO would endeavour to intensify its assistance in the development of such capacity. Most African countries were striving to develop their agricultural and industrial sectors simultaneously. Neither industry nor agriculture could proceed very far without the parallel and balanced development of the other. The interdependence of industry and agriculture was represented by the commodity flows betvJeen the two sectors 1 in the form either of industrial support of agriculture or of industrial processing of agricultural primary commodities. UNIDO was therefore ready to give all possible assistance in the establishment and develop­ ment of agro-industries.

253. It was heartening to note that the international community h~ come to recognize the soverign right of countries producing raw materials to exercise complete control over their own natural resources and to use them first and formost for their own economic and social development. On the other hand 1 the desire of the developing countries to industrialize should not be interpreted as an impediment to inte:r:n,atio­ nal co-opere,tion. The pos.:;ession of raw materials was not in itself a sufficient condition for industrialization, and therefore there would be still more opportUl1i­ ties for international co-operation. In fact, it was believed in l.J'"NIDO that inter­ national co-operation V'rould be the determining factor for a more equitable inter­ national order in the field of industry. In that connexion he noted that UNIDO and ECA now had a Joint Industry Division for which UNIDO had provided a number of regional advisers in various fields 1 who were financed fully from the UI~IDO regular programme of technical assistance. He also mentioned the co-operation which existed between UNIDO and OAU.

254· The Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said that Africa1 with its richly endow·ed natural environmentj its large untapped stores of increasingly scarce.non-renewable resources. and, most of all 1 its dynamic, attract­ ive and industrious people, clearly had_ the capacity to assure every African access to the resources and environmental conditions required to meet his basic needso However, that goal could not be achieved by the 11 trickle down11 theory of development? ..... 43 -

but required the conscious design of policies to achieve it. The rest of the world~ and particularly that part of it which had benefited so much from Africa's human and natural resourcesp therefore had a duty to help Africa withstand the growing pres­ sures on its natural resources, such as loss of forests, soil erosion~ the ecologi­ cally unsound use of land, the destruction of fisheries~ and contamination of water for human use by disease and chemical products •

. 255. Environment had to go hand in hand with development; it was a complex of inter­ acting issues which could not be dealt with by individual Governments alone.

256. UNEP was closely attuned to many African development goals and priorities. Africa had played a major part in urging the twenty-ninth session of the General Assembly to establish a Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation, one of whose aims was to help provide tolerable urban and rural environments for the populations of developing countries. The forthcoming United Nations Conference on Desertification would mobilize a,ttention and resources so as to reduce the risk of future tragedies on the scale of the recent Sahelian drought. Africa could make its own contribution to the forthcoming Law of the Sea Conference by supporting strong environmental measures whereby the oceans co11ld be developf'd. without destruction, and by seeking for developing countries a fair share of the benefits of such development without having to bear a disproportionate share of the accompanying environmental costs. UNEP's Earthwatch activities, designed to provide early warning of impending environ­ mental risks a.nd to enable Governments to have access to the la.test knowledge when making decisions about the environment, would also be very beneficial to Africa.

257. The representative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) noted the depressing economic symptoms which were novv C3.using inflation in Africa at· a rate of between 8 arid 9 per cent per annum. The 5.7 per cent averace growth rate in developing countries during 197(}..1979 7 although apparently not far short of the minimum 6 per cent target of the International Development Strategy1 was totally misleading, since most progress had been made in the petroleum-exporting countries and some fast-growing exporters of manufactures, but the average rate of growth in most developing countries- those countries with income per capita of less than ~$US 250 per year - which included most African countries, "rhich "'ere hig-hly

under-developed -.was barely 3 per cent 1 and annual grmvth in real product per head for the same group had been only 0.3 per cent, as compared with the projected 3.5 per cent of the Strategy.

258. Although in the same period the national product of the DAC countries of O~CD had risen by two thirds 7 and those countries were responsible among themselves for approximately 70 per cent of world trade 7 the rea,l value of official assistance from DAC member countries had devreased by 7 per cent. Balance of payments problems in developing countries had reached staggering proportions, largely due to the rising costs of essential imports, and were likely to worsen in the future. Not only "rere the benefits of the 1972-1974 commodity price boom ill iistri buted among .developing countries, but also 7 if fuels were excluded, the great majority of the gro,Tth in primary commodity trade had accrued to developed market economies. In 1974 7 the prices of the commodities exported by developing countries other than oil exporters had been tv-Iice the 1972 figures, but the prices of the commodities imported had been three times as high as a result of the relative importance in the imports of develop­

ing countries of cereals 7 sugar, oilseeds and petroleum. The fact that the prices of many export commodities from developing countries had fallen by up to 50 per cent

from their 1973-1974 peaks 7 coupled with r1..maway inflation and economic stagnation in developed countries, boded ill for 1975. - 44 -

259. That was the background to the present meeting of the Conference of Ministers and other important meetings to be held within the next 18 months, in particular the seventh special session of the General Assembly, the fourth session of UNCTAD and the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77.

260. lrJork in UNCTAD was being pursued on all critical issues. It Secretary-General had submitted to the eighth session of the UNCTAD Committee on Commodities proposals for an integrated programme for a wide range of commodities of export interest to developing countries, which included the setting up of international stocks for some 18 commodities, the financing of those stocks by a common fund, the promotion of multilateral supply and purchase commitments, compensatory financing of export fluctuations and measures to e~~and the processing of primary commodities in the developing countries and the diversification of their exports. A special research programme on the problems of the least developed among the developing countries had been initiated, and an ad hoc group of governmental experts was studying the debt problems of developing countries.

261. The eighth session of the UNCTAD Committee on Commodities had unanimously adopt­ ed a resolution recommending to the Trade and Development Board the reconvening of the Committee's eighth session so that comprehensive discussions aimed at reaching conclusions on the programme could take place, and the possibilitiy be discussed of negotiations between producers and consumers for arrangements on internationally traded commodities.

262. The watchword for the future would be resolute action in key areas on the basis of collective self-reliance, broader trading, economic co-operation and integration among developing countries, the reduction of undue dependence on external forces and factors and the re-structuring of international institutions with a view to estab­ lishing more JUst, more comprehensive. and more durable international arrangements.

263. The ~Lecutive Secretary pointed out that Part II of the Summary of the Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa was an innovation. In i ~, an attempt had been made to describe development trends in each of the member countries on the basis of official statistics and information derived from other sources. In addition to considering the substance of the Survey, participants might therefore wish to recom­ mend whether the secretariat should continue to prepare such a review in future.

264. One representative expressed his appreciation of the work undertaken by the secretariat, which enabled each member Government to tclce note of developments in other member countries. The statistics used, however, had at times been out of date and inaccurate, and he would shortly submit corrections to the information relating to his country. He felt that it would be preferable for the Commission to follow the practice of UNDP and the World Bank whereby the information was collected in the course of missions to the countries concerned and the draft reports were submitted for Government approval before they were published.

265. The observer for the United States of America emphasized the primary importance of education in economic development. Sustained economic growth required maximum application of the creative mind and hurr.an will and, above all, co-operation. Food production planning and export earnings were vital to Africa. In that connexion, he mentioned that the United States Government had since 1968 provided grants for technical experts and for training programmes in agricultural trade, live-stock management, water resources development and trade promotion. A new emphasis was support for the Homen 1 s Programme of the Commission. - 45 -

266. Imbalances of physical, market and skill resources could in the last resort be

cured only by agreement between nations of good will 1 which meant men of good will. Man was confronted by a paradox - he had discovered the secret of the atom yet he was in the process of destroying his environment and thus perhaps himself. The Com­ mission represented the positive side of the picture, providing the substantive information needed for a complete understanding of regional economic and social issues, and was thus an essential part of the development formula.

267. The Observer for the Netherlands listed the contributions made by his Govern­ ment to the extra-budgetary resources of the Commission. Kenya, Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania and Upper Volta had been added to the list of countries receiv­ ing aid from the Netherlands, which reflected his country's awareness of the pressing needs of Africa& The aims of its assistance were to foster self-reliance in the developing countries and to sustain development processes which boosted structural changes as well as economic growth.

268. His Government strongly supported the decision of the Governing Council of lli~DP regarding the role of the regional economic commissions as executing agencies. He was impressed with the high standard of the documents presented by the secretariat.

269. The representative of Nigeria noted that, according to the Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa, during the period 1970-1973 member States had achieved a 4.6 per cent annual GDP growth rate instead of the 6·per cent target laid down in the International Development Strategy. The annual target of a 3.5 per cent rise in per capita income, allowing for a population growth rate of 2.5 per cent a year1 had therefore not been achieved.

210. Poor performance in agricul ture 1 due primarily to the drougJ.1t 7 was a main reason for the shortfall. At the present level of man's knowledge, it should be possible to end the scourge of drought once and for all by action such as afforesta­ tion to check the spread of deserts,conservation of water resources through the surveying of underground water resources, the sirucing of wells and the creation of strategic grain reserves in drought-prone areas.

27L Nigeria had made available to eight other African drought-stricken countries an amount equivalent to $US 41 2501 000 in cash grants, and food relief materials to the value of over :iWS 600,000, although 15 million Nigerians in the Sahel zone had themselves experienced drought. The Nigerian delegation felt very strongly that the initiative in tackling drought and drought-related problems should come from the Commission and that the corresponding projects should be given very high priority by the secretariat.

272. Foreign trade performance had been modest and between 1970 and 1973; exports had grov.m e,t an average annual rate of l 7. 6 per cent 1 compared with 18. 2 per cent for imports. However, the signature of a Conven.tion of Co-operation between the European Economic Community and the ACP groups was an unprecedented achievement in contemporary international relations and would significantly increase Africa's volume of trade with the rest of world. - 46 -

273o \t\fi th regard to intra-African trade, the present low level could be raised by the conclusion of more trade agreements, with provision for most-favoured-nation clauses, amongst African countries. New economic communities should be created to facilitate trade liberalization, the movement of persons and capital, and so on, while existing ones needed strengthening. The West African subregion was on the threshold of setting up an allembracing·economic community.

274. To offset the balance-of-payments difficulties suffered by several African countries as a result of increased oil prices, Nigeria had decided to make crude petroleum available to any African country requiring it at concessionary rates, subject to the receiving country having refining facilities. and to the concessionary supply being used for domestic purposes and not for export.

275. The energy crisis was merely the result of an innocent attempt by developing countries to exercise their right of sovereignty over their natural resources within their borders. ·.Developed countries bought raw materials for their factories at prices dictated by the buyers and not by the producers, and the resulting manufac­ tures were sold back to the developing countries at prices dictated by the developed countries. The result had been a consistent long-term deterioration in the terms of trade of primary producers and, as the prices of manufactures had been rising steadi­ ly for many years, the primary producing countries had inevitably imported inflation, with disastrous results.

276. A new international economic order could not be brought about by foreign aid 1 but would have to be built on the grim determination of African countries. Nigeria> therefore recommended a three-point approach to implementation of the Action Prog­ ramme, namely institution-building, the implementation of bold and imaginative pro­ jects, and increased mobilization of resources for project implementation.

·277. In connexion with institution-building, Nigeria fully supported the creation of associations of primary producers and would like to see associations of national shipping lines and other carriers set up. Wherever possible, existing bodies should be strengthened or restructured, to avoid the proliferation of institutions.

278. The extra ~:;; 30 million to be made available by UNDP for investment in inter­ country projects in Africa was a most welcome step towards overcoming the financial shortfall which the progress reports of the Commission showed to be the reason for the failure to implement many projects. Member countries able to do so should make more funds available to the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund for social and economic projects in Africa. Nigeria had foregone its rights to apply for investment of ADB funds in Nigeria, so that more resources would be available for investment in other African countries.

279. The representative of Mozambique said that his country was eager to embark on the second phase of decolonization. Mozambique was at present experiencing great economic difficulties, with galloping inflation and a refusal by the banks to guarantee imports. There was an acute shortage of raw materials and spare parts and a very urgent problem of feeding the former inmates of Portuguese concentration camps. An emergency transitional plan had therefore been put into operation with the aim of restoring the economy and aiding distressed sectors of the population. That plan would be followed by an economic development programme. Mozambique was organiz­ ing itself to deal with the same problems as confronted every other African country, but with the difference that its economy was entirely in foreign hands and subject to the wishes of the buyers of raw materials and sellers of finished products.; - 47-

280o Mozambique had listened with great satisfaction to the affirmation of principles likely to lead to real growth of the economies of African countries~ notably the principles of self-reliance and control over natural resources, particularly since it was extending to the entire country the principles practised in liberated areas during the national war of liberation. The development of the economy called for

sacrifices from everyone and 1 in the African context, that meant that town and coun­ try must share the burden. Successful self-reliance depended mainly on the behaviour of national leaders and their ability to set an example to the masses of the people.

281. The control and upgrading of natural resources and their use within a collec­ tive intra-African framework were also import~nt considerationso The control of natural resources meant the ability not only to set prices for commodities but also to use and process natural resources internally, regionally and even on a continental scaleo Industrial expansion and intra-African trade were essential for the economic well-being of the country.

282. Mozambique was very grateful for the action of the specialized agencies in sup­ port of the liberation movements~ despite the occasional refusal of various govern­ ing bodies to abide by resolutions of the General Assembly. Their ongoing assis­ tance was essential. They must refrain from any action which could support colo­ nialism and racialismo An independent Mozambique would strengthen the progressive elements in the specialized agencies which had always fought for the triumph of national rights over the forces of colonialism and racialism. Although independence had come or was about to come to several countries, support was still needed for national movements elsewhere in Africa.

283. ECA had to assume its responsibilities in the final phase of liberation of the African continent. It should be emphasized in that context that liberation move­ ments were the rightfull representatives of their peoples~ and thus that their participation in the work of ECA was bound to help solve problems and implement decisions. In that way ECA would really become a tool for defending the interests of the African peoples.

284. The representative of Kenya said that many of the misfortunes which had befallen African countries in recent years had arisen because of the small size of the econo­ mies of individual African countries and the structure of their imports and exports~ which made them very exposed to the vicissitudes of the international economic climate. Plans for expanding Africa's foreign trade must therefore aim at providing maximum security for Africa's econom3r and should include developing and strenthening the structure of intra-African trade with the ultimate goal of establishing the whole of Africa as one home market. The existing economic Groupings, although representing major steps in the right direction~ did not provide markets larGe enough to permit a radical expansion of intra-African trade. It might be impossible at present to devise an African common market, but it should not be too difficult to establish a large African free-trade area which could serve as a framework for future ec·onomic developments. Transitional measures could be devised to reduce hardship in the less industrialized countries; however, increased competition would lead to in­ creased efficiency and its attendant advantages, particularly for the consumer. - 48-

285. The industrial expansion which could then take place would eventually make Africa competitive in manufactured goods on the world market and could be boosted in other ways, such as through free-trade zones, export credit and guarantee schemes, trade promotion etc. Increased co-operation in trade should be linked with increas­ ed co-operation in transport infrastructure, the supply of major energy sources such as electricity and oil, and so one

289. The recent Convention between the EEC and the ACP countries showed the consider­ able potential now available for increased economic co-operation in Africa.

2$7. TheKenyan Government attached great importance to the Declaration on the Estab­ lishment of a New International Economic Order, since for many years to come Africa would have to rely on primary commodities for the bulk of its export earnings. Strong measures for improvements in that connexion would be facilitated by the creation of appropriate United Nations machineryv which would, however, produce the required results only if there were determined and efficient co-operation and efforts on the part of the developing countrieso

288.• The Stabex system of stabilizing export receipts, although covering only 12 primary commodities and then only for exports to the nineEEC countries, was one major result of the recent EEC - ACP Convention; unfortunately, Stabex merely stabilized export receipts and was therefore of little help in redressing the long-term deterioration of Africa's terms of trade. Arrangements with wider commodity cover­ age and including provisions giving effective protection for Africa's terms of trade were needed. Many such items had already been embodied in the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order. Increasing food produc­ tion would improve balance-of-payments situations, dampen internal inflationary tendencies and greatly reduce unemployment and urban overcrowding. The Kenyan delega­ tion had noted with great satisfaction the interest shown by the Executive Committee in African food problems and the able follow-up accomplished by the secretariat in its document entitled "The Food Situation in Africa and a Programme of Actionn. That document outlined a future African food development plan by identifying the tasks where more intensive co-operation between African countries would be needed. Such tasks included effective applied agricultural research, inter-country capital invest­ ment schemes for increased food production, storage and distribution programmes, co­ ordination of food reserve policies and inter-country trade agreements. Clearly, however, food problems would be solved mainly at national level through the efforts of individual countries.

289. The representative of Algeria said that the aims and objectives of the Inter­ national Development Strategy had not been achieved and the situation had ev~n worsened for many countries. The efforts of the oil producers to secure fair prices in order to finance their development had been attacked in some quarters, but those who acknowledged the need for a new system of international economic relations should realize that the oil producers were in the forefront of the struggle to liberate the third world.

290. The documents before the Conference were unacceptable in that they reflected a traditional approach to development which was contrary to the interests of the third

world. If the prices of raw materials had dropped in 1974 1 it was because of the lack of organization among the members of the third world. The Dakar Conference had represented an important step forward in that regard. The documents in question did not adequately examine the causes of the collapse of the international monetary - 49 -

system and the fall of the dollar, which had adversely affected the purchasing power of the developing countries. Nor did the documents make it clear that inflation dated from before the end of 1973. Those were matters which had to be tackled by the international community before a new international economic order could be established.

29~~ He pointed out that the OPEC countries had allocated some 9 per cent of their revenue as aid to the developing countries, as compared with the developed countries' 0.6 per cent. He informed participants of the volume of aid which the petroleum­ exporting countries channelled through OPEC, the World Baru( group and joint ventures and pointed out that, unlike the assistance of some developed countries, their aid was not tied. For many years inflation had caused the prices of the industrial goods exported by the developed world to riseo The external debt of developing countries was not imputable to petroleum prices, and debt repayment absorbed some 10 per cent of their export earnings. While many African countries had been suffering from drought, the developed countries had been pursuing production policies aimed at ex­ ploiting the economies of the third world. Imported inflation and the rise in the cost of industrial goods, food and services were topics which should have been examined thoroughly by ECA.

292, He wished to point out that, contrary to what had been suggested in the docu­ ments, his country had a deficit on its trade balanceo So as to mobilize resources for development it was forced to pursue a strict policy of austerity in imports and public spending. Algeria believed that only through a planned socialist economy could a new society be built and accelerated development achieved. It had actively practised the principle of self-reliance, and therefore felt that it was essential to control its natural resources and its monetary, financial and trade structures itself so as to safeguard national independence. It was revolutionizing all aspects of national life and investing some 40 per cent of its GDP in the development efforto

293. A new international economic order had to replace the present disorder of the crisis of capitalism, aggression and exploitation. Ever since the Bandung Conference, the third world had seen its standard of living eroded, while living in the developed countries was accompanied by over-consumption and waste. Aid alone was not the solu­ tion. The problems of the food shortages and environmental damage were extremely serious. Inflation, which was only partly the result of petroleum prices, had led to a transfer to the developed co~mtries of the non-renewable resources of the developing countries. The international community had to realize that such a state of affairs could not continue. It was now the responsibility of the thirdwcrld to adopt definite decisions concerning the establishment of a new system of international relations.

?94. Accordingly he proposed that the action of producers' associations, including OPEC, should be evaluatedc A proper study should be carried out of present and future production, processing and marketing conditions for agricultural, food and other basic commodities. New producers' associations should be established aimed at safeguarding the interests of exporting countries. A study should be undertaken of measures to ensure that African countries could regain control over their natural resources and the direction of the marketing structures for their products and their external trade. Arrangements should be worked out for guaranteeing the levels of ~rices and export earnings by the establishment of buffer stocks financed by aid from other developed countries with surplus resourceso The purchasing power of the third world had to be safeguarded by price indexing. The third world should stand united -50-

in the face of threats of aggression against any developing country which tried to restore its rights by nationalizing its natural resources, controlling foreign enter­ prises or fixing the price of its exportso An agency for policy co-ordination should be established through which exporters of primary products could achieve the afore­ mentioned goals and increase the negotiating power of the third world in relation to the establishment of a new system of trade, financial and monetary relationse In that regard, the forthcoming summit conference of OPEC would be of great impor­ tance.

295. The establishment of a new system of international relations required profound

changes in the United Nations, its specialized agencies and the world's trade 1 financial and monetary institutionsG There should be no further delay in establish­ ing an international trade organization in which producers and exporters could play a positive role in the harmonious development of the world economy.

~96o Moreover, it should be borne in mind that the surplus resources of exporting countries could be used to the benefit of both the developing and the developed countries and thereby contribute to an expansion of international trade from which all would profit.

297. The representative of Mali said it was necessary for African countries to mobi­ lize all their resources to increase production if they were to overcome their handi­ caps. Mali was a land-locked and partially desert country and had to make great financial sacrifices in order to transport the goods required for its development. It had made great efforts to increase its trade with other African co~mtries and would contribute to the establishment of organized trade areas.

298. He paid tribute to the solidarity shown during the drought years. Mali had received considerable aid in cash and in kind. Unfortunately, despite expectations of a good harvest in 1974, further aid would be required. The direct and indirect consequences of the drought had been aggravated by the effects of inflation on Mali's balance of payments. He firmly believed that the economic well-being of Africa depended on each and every State. He hoped that African countries would consolidate their solidarity so that Africa could ride through its difficult times.

~99. With regard to Part II of the Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa, he wished to place on record his profound disappointment and concern about the section relating to his country. It contained inaccuracies, misleading state­ ments and value judgements which1 in the hands of foreigners, could be extremely prejudicial to his country. That section should be considered invalid and withdrawn. He supported the proposal concerning the procedure to be followed in the preparation of such reports in the future.

300. The Executive Secretary assured the representative of Mali that the co~mtry reports had been referred to Governments for their comments so that any corrections they wished to make could be transmitted to ECA.

301. The representative of Tunisia said that his country had achieved encouraging results in its economic and social development, despite its limited natural Health. - 51 -

302o The international situation was characterized by the fact that concepts which until recently had been accepted were now being seriously questioned. The so-called energy crisis, food shortages and raw materials were extremely important issues. It should however be noted that in fact there was no crisis over the supply of energy at the present or for decades to come. Between a third world demanding fair prices and a developed world endeavouring to sustain its ra.te of growth there were many intermediaries. It was unrealistic to hold the third world responsible for the present situation and the developing countries .had a duty to derive revenue for development from their own resources.

303. The economic crisis was due not to petroleum prices but to the economic and monetary system adopted by the Western countries since the Second World \-Jar. The

monetary crisis predated the increase in petroleum prices 1 which had merely been restored to their 1960 value.

304. In vie1cr of the need for better international co-operation to safeguard the interests of all concerned, the relations between producers of raw materials and the 11 developed countries should be laid down in 11 development contracts , based on a policy of promoting the economic development of the former group of countries. Such rela­ tions should be characterized by global and integrated co-operation aimed at enabl­ ing the poorer countries to attain their development objectives. \fhat was needed was the decolonization of co-operation measured in terms of the attitudes adopted by the developed countries in relation to the industrial development of producer countries. ·

305. It had been suggested that surplus Arab resources should be recycled through the vJorld Bank group, but that would in fact enable the developed countries to buy petroleum on credit and might even mean that Arab money fell into enemy hands. It was far more appropriate to use existing and future Arab channels. In that con­ nexion, important decisions had been adopted by the Arab League to the effect that the resources of the Arab Fund for African Development would be renewed. Arab technical assistance was to be increased and an Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa had recently been established.

306. The food situation was far more serious than the energy cr1s1s. The developed countries had curtailed the production and supply of grain despite the fact that climatic conditions in other countries had resulted in increased demand. In vie~or of the population growth rate, the increase in grain prices could have serious consequences. Self-reliance was therefore essential. Surplus ca.pi tal should be channelled into agricultural infrastructure and credit so as to improve the standa.rd of living in rural areas.

_307 • The representative of the United Nations Development Pro~ra.mme (lli'JDP) said that co-operation between the Commission and UNDP had been enhanced since the last meeting of the Conference. Resident representatives now represented ECA in the countries to which they were assigned and received briefin~s at ECA headquarters. To an increasing degree, ECA's expertise was being drawn upon in the formulation of inter-country projects financed by UNDP 1 and the UNDP Regional Representative in Addis Ababa was to be responsible for the development and monitoring of ~CA-sponsor­ ed on-going project So Steps had been taken to involve the Commission in the evalua­ tion and execution of multi-disciplinary inter-coLmtry illiDP projects. - 52 -

308. The Regional Representative for Africa had been made responsible for program­ ming, in co-operation with. the Executive Secretary of ECA, ~tUS 10 million of the regional resources for 1977-1981. An agreement had recently been reached concern- ing the detailed formulation of 12 projects valued at over $US 6 million.

309. vJi th regard to inter-country co-operation in Africa, UliJI)P felt that it should increasingly call on ECA to act as a "brains trust", and had therefore invited the Executive Secretary to contribute to evolving a suitable planning framework for future programmes. More than half UNDP's effort should be directed to activities to support regional and subregional integration. Thereafter, attention should be given to projects dealing with major diseases and those which stimulated innovationf Special attention would be paid to activities endorsed by regional meetings. Sug­ gestions were welcome and, thanks to the various contributions being made, UNDP hoped to prepare a regional programme for 1977-1981 which responded to the collecti' wishes of African countries.

310•. With regard to the establishment of a new interna,tional economic order, in co­ operation with ECA, UNDP was willing to contribute to the change(S called for by African Stc:des and to back-up African efforts at the national and regional levels. It would therefore give favourable consideration to proposals submitted by ECA with­ in the framewor~ of the African approach to the new interntional economic order.

311. The first part of the next session of the Governing Council of UNDP was to takE the form of a ministerial meeting to discuss UNDP's contribution to the forthcoming special session of the General Assemb'Iy. It was hoped that as many ministers as possible would attend.

312. The Administrator of UlWP had prepared a report on the extent of, and the mid­ term and long-term implications of the drought. The report indicated that the drought would inevitably recur withi~ the space of one generation and that measures han to be taken right away in order to minimize its effects. Such measures include( water control, proper management of crop farming and grazing areas and the develop­ ment of transport j_nfrastructure ..

313. Knowledge which could help solve the problems of drought-prone countries had to be disseminated and research intensified. The concept of a research institute proposed by the Inter-State Committee on Drought Control was very important. In view of the magnitude of resources involved, an integrated approach. to drought control activities was essential, and machinery should therefore be established to co-ordinate external aid. The report also stated that drought-prone countries woulc be spared from catastrophe only to the extent that their Governments made certain fundamental choices, accorded priorities and provided appropriate·funding for the requisite action.

314. In the light of the recommendations contained in the report, the country prog­ rammes for the drought-stricken countries had been reinforced through special allocc: tions of funds authorized by the Governing Council.

315. Assistance to African countries and peoples fighting for their liberation from colonial rule had assumed important dimensions during the past two.years. Represe~ tatives of liberation movements had attended sessions of the Governing Council as observers. Missions had been or v-rere to be undertaken to Mozambique, the Cape VerdE islands, Sao Tome and Angola. Representatives of UNHCR had also been to those coun­ tries to consider measures to deal with the refugee problem. At its forthcoming - 53 -

session, the Governing Council would adopt indicative planning figures for the ex­ Portuguese countries including Guinea-Bissau.

316. UNDP intended to continue its support to IDEP. It had taken appropriate measures in the light of the evaluation of the Institute. High-level meetings had taken place in New York to discuss the future of IDEP 1 and the conclusions had been scrupulously implementedo An internal audit had revealed that the administrative and fin.:mcial management of the Institute w.:ts far from satisfactory, and measures to improve the situation were already being implemented. A thorough revie~o>r of the Institute's activities would shortly be carried out by UNDP and the United Nations. Its conclusions should help to define a basis for long-term co-operation between ill~P and IDEP, as UNDP wished to have a long-term contract with the Institute on a sound basis.

317. The representative of Sierra Leone mentioned the fall in two years from optimism to the gloom and despair of uncertainty. The third meeting of the Conference pro­ vided an opportunity for preparing a programme of work concerning the International Development Strategy and the realization of a new economic order. He called for the replacement of a conservative outlook by practical proposals.

318. The attention of the Conference should be concentrated on evaluating the efforts of African countries in promoting the econommc and social development of the region and charting out a realistic course of effective action for the immediate future. In respect of his own country he criticized some of the information supplied by the secretariat. More generally, he called for an. end to the ~->rri ting of studies and the adoption of effective programmes and concrete projects such as those drawn up for other regions, Otherwise Africa would forever be the slave of the earth.

319. Referring to the Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Orderi he noted that the population of the developing countries would account for 90 per cent of the world total by the end of the century and that there was already a tendency for the capital concentrated in the developed countries to be attracted towards the developing countries? whose influence was beginning to mwce itself felt.

320. The Declaration and Programme of Action placed emphasis on partnership and the sharing of both hardships and benefits in international economic relations 7 and 1 above all 7 on urgency. The response of Africa to that challenge was not to continue doing what it had always been doing or ought to have been doing itself: it was to propose concrete projects for co-operation between ~he developed and the developing countries. At the same time the developing countries should exploit their natural resources for the benefit of their own people 1 develop their agriculture and promote industrialization based on the local processing of mineral and agricultural resources.

321. The representative of Zaire said that the conclusions reached at the sixth special session of the General Assembly and at the Dakar Conference on Raw Materia.ls had aptly reflected African performance in implementing the International Develop­ ment Strategy. In short, the richer countries were continuing to exploit the poorer onesj the machinery of the international economic system was becoming increasingly ineffective, while the international economic system Has steadily deteriorating; the primary commodities market was still fluctuating violently and industrialized countries continued to take refuge behind protective measures; any increase in the productivity of the third world was of no benefit to the developing countries owing - 54 -

to the machinery of a market which was gearei to operate to the sole advantage of the richer countries, and the developed countries were still subsidizing their own primary products in competition with third world commodities. Thus, a system of international trade in which the developed countries set their own prices, the instability of the international monetary system and the unilateral devaluations and revaluations of the important world currencies had brought about balance of payments difficulties and a deterioration in the terms of trade which affected mosi African States.

322. Although the developing countries had incessantly demanded fair and equitable prices for their commodity exports, the industrialized countries had, by and large, turned a deaf ear to their pleas. The result was likely to be an economic confroni tion in which they stood to lose more than the third world. If in the forthcoming negotiations on basic commodities and development the industrialized countries refused to listen to reason, the third world would consider that all recourse to negotiation had been exhausted and would have no alternative than to resort to

"economic violence," io e. 1 organized resistance in the form of a body of collectivE measures for application by all third world countries to break the monopoly of the industrialized countries in deciding on questions involving basic commodities c:md development.

323. The rules established under the present economic order would be laid aside un" such time as a proper dialogue could be initiated or until the present order was abolished. The time harl-come for the developing countries to seize by violence wh< they had failed to gain by peacefu~ means. The example set by OPEC should be fall< ed where all other basic commodities were concerned. He feared that recourse to economic violence would be delayed because the third world countries were still lee by conservatives or by those who still admired the so-called values of Western civilizationo But by the year 2000 such leaders would have disappeared from the political scene, and the number of young extremists would have more than doubled. The responsibility for saving mankind from cataclysm was on the shoulders of the thil world. His Government, which had never hesitated to accept its responsibilities whenever it came to seeking solutions to the economic monetary crisis, was at the disposal of Africa and the third world for the purposes of devising, programming and implementing collective measures of economic violence.

324. The representative of Morocco said that his country's planned economy had thr' basic characteristics. The first was agrarian reform, under which land had been recovered and co-operative exploitation was proceeding in an encouraging manner. The second was the participation of labour, first in public undertakings and then in the private sector; and third, the Moroccanization of the key sectors of the economy, which was effected by encouraging small savers to acquire 50 per cent of the capital of a. given undertaking with a view to achieving real control over its activitieso

325. In vi en of the monetary si tua,tion, development financing needed to be sub­ stantially increased vd th funds from the industrialized countries and internation organizations. A projects baruc should also be established in every country or gro of countries. 55 -

26. The fluctuations which marked international trade relations at present called or the establishment of a raw materials stabilization fund to serve the countries f the third "tororld. However, they also meant that the poorer nt:~tions might wield reater power in their relations and enjoy more favourable t::::-e::ai;rr.;;;;lt$ The establish­ ent of the Association of African Trade Promotion Organizations would have an mportant role to play in African tradeo

27. The food crisis had worsened and necessitated intensive international aid 1 but he most pressing need in that connexion was for improved agricultural productivity hrough the introduction of modern farming methods.

~28. Industrialization had become hypothetical in the present situation and depended nore than ever on the valorization and processing of basic commodities and raw naterials. The transfer of technology was still a priority problem, and there was ~eed for techniques to be adapted to specific local conditionso There was also a ~eed to establish basic applied research services in key sectors with a view to reducing dependence on transferred technology. ·

~29. The Arab-African co-operation embarked upon at the seventh Arab Summit Con­ ference was well under way; his country, for example, was making financial contribu- tions to ADB. · 30. The advent of a new economic order meant that African coun~ries would have to ake action based on their own efforts and resources, abandoning the role of mere .~ uppliers which they had been forced to play so far. 31. The representative of Senegal stressed that, in his country's development policy, mphasis had been successfully placed on agriculture, fisheriesand forests; ECA ssistance was expected in connexion with efforts to overcome the problem of water esources (the development of the G~mbia and Senegal rivers). Industry was also njoying a substantial rate of growth. The top priority was still given to training. n the task of establishing a new international economic order, ECA action would be ecisive in that it would provide African States with the most effective weapons in heir struggle for development.

32. The representative of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IBRD) said that the realization of African potential was a challenge to all. Out­ lining some of the activities of the World Bank Group, he said that in its early lays the share of Africa in its total lending had been relatively small: most African Jountries had yet to reach independence, and they relied largely on assistance from their metropolitan countrieso Since then there had been a constC?.nt increase in lending to Africa and in 1974 the amount had reached$ 1 1 000 million. Recently there had been greater flexibility with regard to local cost financing in Africa, particu­ larly in the least developed countries.

333. Many of the least developed countries were land-locked, and a number of IBRD­ financed transport projects elsewhere benefited the land-locked countries as wello rhe Banlc was considering financing parts of the Trans-African and Trans-West ~frican Highway Systems.

p34. In recent years there had been a marked change in the pattern of lending. The proportion relating to infrastructure had greatly diminished and that relating to ~griculture had greatly increased. In industry there had been an increase of 300 per cent both in the number of projects and in total lending. Those trends were expected to continue. - 56 -

335. In the field of transport there had been loans for ports» railways and roads, some of which had gone to land-locked countries. Lending for power had been high in 1974 7 largely because of a hydraulic project in Zambiao Lending to industry was considerable, and the International Finance Corporation was increasing its activities in Africae

336. The activities of the Bank Group in urban development were comparatively new, but were expected increase steadily.

337o Technical assistance was important in the work of IBRD, which had acted as executing agency for 66 UNDP projects in Africa. It was also an element in many of the projects of IBRD itself. The Bank attempted to co-ordinate external assistance by arranging meetings of consultative groups and, less formally, was co-ordinating its own efforts with those of the Arab countries.

338o Joint or parallel financing with other creditors and agencies had become impor­ tant, and would increase, particularly with the Arab countrieso

339. Rises in the cost of petroleum and other products had led IBRD to provide im­ mediate assistance for the countries most affected. Programme loans had been made or were under consideration, and, less urgently, projects were under consideration to alleviate the energy crisis in countries where sources other than petroleum were available, for example potential hydro-electric power.

340o The representative of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) referred to the multilateral trade negotiations launched at a meeting of ministers in Tokyo in 1973, and to the Tokyo Declaration, which specified that those negotiations should cover all barriers impeding international trade. The ministers had agreed that tropical products should be given priority and that the trade problems of developing countries should be an essential subject of the negotiations, which were to lead to an increase in the foreign exchange earnings of such countries and the diversifica­ tion of their exportso Special attention was to be given to the least developed co~tntriese

341. Since the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration there had been new problems of inflation, and fluctuations in commodity prices had affected many African countries. There was a great temptation to resort to trade restrictions, which would be most dangerous for the developing countries, but there were also signs that the danger was recognizedo Indeed, the machinery established at Tokyo was at last moving towards active negotiation on substantive issues.

34?• A Group on Tropical Products set up by the Trade Negotiations Committee was to start negotiations, and a Group on Non-tariff Measures was to take up such issues as quantitative restrictions, so-called voluntary export restraints, subsidies, and countervailing duties. A Group on Agricultural Products would also deal with matters of interest to Africa. Other groups were to consider the multilateral safeguards system, with a view to the liberalization of trade, and the possibilities of co­ ordinating the reduction or elimination of all barriers to trade in selected sectors. There might also be an examination of the availability of supplies and the relation between supply and demand of many of the primary products exported by developing countriesG The Trade Negotiations Committee itself would be in permanent session, co-ordinating the work of the groups, and would probably review the progress of the negotiations towards the middle of 1975o - 57 -

43. The negotiations were open to all countries, whether members of GATT or not~ 1d about 20 African countries were members of the Trade Negotiations Committeeo 1e negotiations between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the 1ropean Community had been completed and African countries interested in the multi­ ~teral trade negotiations would be able to give their attention to them. The GATT ~cretariat had been trying, within its limited resources, to help African countries 1at had requested technical assistance in preparing for the negotiations, and would ~main at their disposal while the negotiations were going on.

~4. The representative of Ghana said that it was the responsibility of the Conference l consider concrete measures to change an international economic order which had len imposed by the forces of colonialism and imperialism in order to ensure the lntinued prosperity of the already developed countries by means of the transfer of lal resources from the developing countrieso It was essential to come to grips .th the problem of the just and equitable distribution of the world's wealth. The .nal challenge to the old order had come in the form of the so-called energy crisis tich had burst on the world in October 1973. Since the old order had never re­ ,gnized the right of the developing countries to control their own resources~ it d been inevitable that such a crisis should develop •

.5. His delegation supported the appeal for action-orientated programmes, especial­ , those aimed at ensuring effective and full sovereignty by member States over teir natural resources, arresting the long~term tendency of the ·terms of trade of 1mber countries to deteriorate, enabling member States in their role as producers · raw materials to adopt uniform positions in any bargaining with consumers' organi­ ltions. of the developed countries and developing appropriate financial institutions ~ ensure the establishment of a more permanent and equitable world monetary system. · also wished to call attention to the n€ed for immediate, concrete action in con­ xion with drought.

6. In seeking to forge a new international economic order~ African countries needed close their ranks and be on constant guard against those forces which were ready frustrate their efforts with a view to perpetuating the old order. His delega­ on was confident that the African countries were up to that task, and it had been th that conviction that his Government had supported all programmes and instltu­ ons working towards realistic solutions to the current serious balance of payments oblems, such as the OAU enlarged Committee of 12.

7o Turning to developments in Ghana, he said that his Government had been striv- Lg to change the structure of the country's economy, which had been inherited from Le colonial past. The main policy objectives in recent years had been the accelera­ on of growth, a rising level of employment and the maintenance of price stabilityo :cept in the field of employment, those objectives had largely been reached, though ; the expense of large balance of payments deficits. Although the information on Lana contained in document E/CN.l4/632 was impressive in that it indicated an aver­ ;e annual growth of GDP of over 8 per cent in the period 1970-1973, it was incor­ 'ct and assumed an unrealistically low rate of inflation.

B. The representative of Ethiopia said that the third meeting of the Conference .d come at the half-way mark along the time span set for the Second Development 'cade and Africa's Strategy for Development in the 1970s. Since the beginning of Le decade many crises, both natural and man-made, had occurred in the world and in rica, though when the Strategy had been formulated~ it had been assumed that - 58 -

conditions \'JOuld be conducive for attaining its objectives. The accomplishments to date had been unsatisfactory, and the future was not bright. He believed the time had come to adopt a more pragmatic and realistic approach and to reassess the econo­ mic and social development framework and priorities for the rest of the Decade. 1iJhat was needed was to design implementable strategies that took into account the recent changes in the world economy. At present there was much talk about a new economic order, but the mechanism basic to the successful implementation of that concept was lacking. It was for the developing countries themselves to take responsi­ bility for accelerating their own socio-economic development through the proper utilization of their own resources and by adopting self-reliance as their guiding principle.

349. His delegation believed that agriculture should be given particular emphasis in the light of the problems confronting African countries today. Largely because of undesirable modes of production and unsound economic and social policies, it had been difficult for Africa to feed its growing population for the past 2 or 3 years. Food production was the most pressing problem facing African countries, and parti­ cular attention should be given to increasing the production of staple food crops cllltil the dietary balance of the people of Africa was reasonably improvei.

350. The second area requiring attention by African countries was rural development. Africa's greatest assets, in both human and material terms, were to a large extent lying idle in the rural sector. Surplus labour in the rural sector should be mobiliz­ ed and utilized, and greater emphasis placed on rural development. His de~egation would like to see the unified approach to development translated into concrete prog­ rammes and action. His own Government was giving particular attention to the prob­ lems of agricultural and rural development, following a programme which called for the judicious utilization of the nation's economic resources. Land tenure and agri­ cultural policy would be changed in such a way as to narrow the gaps in the levels of living.

351. The third area of priority was intra-African trade and regional co-operation. African economies had been affected not only by global problems but also by the erratic market forces in the developed economies. The decision to establish a United Nations economic observatory to collect information on prices and their determining factors was a step in the right direction, but the real solution lay in the promotion of regional co-operation and intra-African trade. Although the issues of intra-African trade and regional co-operation and integration were ticklish and involved costs and benefits, African Governments should be prepared to overlook short-term sacrifices for long-term benefits. His Government was ready to play an active role in the promotion of intra-African co-operation in all spheres.

352. Another matter to which priority should be given was trade with socialist coun­ tries.. It vias essential to expand and diversify Africa's export market by explor­ ing the markets in socialist cocllltries.

353. Finally, priority should be given to the matter of resource inflow, since the acquisition of the desired amount and type of assistance was crucial to Africa's development. In that connexion his delegation believed that priority should be given to the recycling of petro-dollars towards development projects in Africa. Hhere externalassistance was concerned, particular attention should also be paid to the needs of the least developed among the developing countries. - 59 -

354o He commended the Executive Secretary and his staff on document E/CN.l4/632. Although the amount of·work which had gone into the document was impressive, what it contained was basically descriptive and not sufficiently analytical to lead to policy­ orientated and action-orientated programmes. Far too much time had already been devoted to rediscovering constraints to Africa's development. What was now needed was delivery of programmes and projects. In the report African economies were treated more or less as if they represented anhomogeneousgroup, and the differences among them were touched upon only lightlyo It might have qeen more useful to conduct an analysis of the economic and social problems faced by African countries on the basis of a recognition that different groups of African countries were confronted. by different problemsG

355a The observer for the Federal Republic of Ger~any said that he was impressed with the standard of the Survey. Noting that his country had made Africa the focus of its development aid effort~ he pointed out that i t·:s assistance was channelled to priority areas, those not only with the greatest need but where inputs could effec­ tively lead to economic and. social progress. Those areas included agriculture, rural infrastructure, employment, industry and education.

356. Acknowledging the many problems facing developing countries, he said that the Federal Republic's response had been not only to provide emergency assistance to the most seriously affected countries, but also to decide to double.its total develop­ ment assistance between 1973 and 1978. It also welcomed the fact that the oil­ exporting countries were

357o In pursuing the recently initiated dialogue on world economic problems, his Government would strongly favour a realis~ic development of the existing internatio­ nal economic order, without any loss of economic efficiency. Where appropriate, it would be prepared to consider commodity agreements aimed at stabilizing markets and raising levels of ei~orts. Experience had shown that the activities of private investors could make a useful contribution to economic development in the developing countrieso In addition to representing a transfer of technical know-how, such pro­ jects often produced exportable goods, thus helping to improve the foreign exchange situation.

358. Expressing satisfaction at the conclusion of negotiations between African and other developing countries and the European Community, he noted that Africa would henceforth be treated as a single economic region: historical differences would no longer be a factor. He hoped that the measures agreed upon to stabilize export earnings would be of value for the developing countrieso Multilateral assistance would also be emphasized in future.

~59. The Federal Republic of Germany would continue to contribute towards the activ­ ities of ECA by seconding experts to the Commission, and had made a contribution for International Women's Year to a training project.

360. The speaker expressed pleasure at the presence at the meeting of representatives of Guinea-Bissau, and hoped that it would be possible for the nmv member to be join­ ed shortly by other former colonial territories., - 60~-

361. The observer for Australia stressed his Government's active interest in Africa and its economic and political problems and aspirations, which was attested to by positions it had taken on colonialism and apartheid and by its humanitarian assis­ tance to national liberation movements. It shared with the countries of Africa a concern to see a speedy solution to problems of raw materials, traAe liberalization and the establishment of stable commodity marketing arrangementso

362. After introducing a scheme of tariff preferences for developing countries as early as 1966, Australia had recently established a special section in the Department of Overseas Trade to help such countries market their products in Australia. Australia was committed to policies which would assist in the achieve­ ment of the objectives laid down in the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order. The attention the Conference was giving to the Commission 1 s programme of work for 1976-1979 was an important contribution towards those objectives~ Noting that for many years producers of raw materials and commodities- not excluding Australia- had suffered from adverse movements in the terms of trade, he stressed the value of long-term commodity arrange­ ments and greater co-operation and consul ta.tion among producers of ra\1 materials 7 to promote the orderly and rational development of production and trade. The recent difficulties experienced by less developed countries with their balance of payments had led his Government to commit ~~US 52 million to the special United Nations prog­ ramme of assistance for seriously affected developing countriese

363. The decisions of the recent vforld Food Conference and the follow-up action required were evidence that ways should be found to ensure world-wide food security. He supported the approach of establishing internationally co-ordinated grain reserves. Australia had indicated its readiness to increase its aid for food production and rural development. It had contrtbuted to an alleviation of the problems caused by drought, and remained inter~sted in the possibility of providing further assistance. African efforts to remedy the situation were of genuine interest to Australia.

364. Australia's aid programme t9 Africa was expanding positively, and it was in­ crea,sing its contribution to United Nations and Commonwealth programmes in the continent$ His Government sought to demonstrate its sympathy and understanding for African problems, and he appealed for greater contact and consultation in a world of inescapable interdependence.

365o The representative of Somalia said that the grim prospect facing Africa demanded action on five fronts if progress was to be achieved: ensuring national control over natural resources and an end to neo-colonial exploitation; increasing domestic pro­ duction, especially of food, and the processing of that production; expanding intra­ African trarle and economic co-operation; the forging of links with the Arab world, which was a valuable source of vital capital; and the upholding of unity and soli­ darity among developing countries, which should deal on an equal footing with the developed world.

366. Since its revolution in 1969 7 Somalia had followed the courses he had indicated, and had achieved a great deal by mobilizing and motivating the masses and creating an atmosphere conducive to self-reliance. For example, literacy levels had risen from 5 per cent to nearly 75 per cent as a result of Somalia's campaign in rural areas. - 61 -

367, The economic difficulties which had affected all countries had 9 inevitably, hit the poorest hardeste In addition~ Somalia had been struck in 1974 by a harsh drought which had affected most severely the livestock-raising parts of the country, which covered two thirds of its area and supported more than 80 per cent of its population, while representing more than 70 per cent of the country's export earnings. Agri­ cultvxal production had also been drastically cut, and Somalia was importing the bulk of its. grain requirements for the first time. He expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to the United Nations organizations, ECA member countries, Arab States ani other countries which had generously assisted Somalia through a very trying periodo

368e The representative of Mauritius pointed out that, excellent though the docu­ ments submitted by the secretariat were, their authoritativeness depended on a time­ ly response from member States which were asked to provide data for them. He called on the secretariat to devise an effective system of progress reporting, possibly on an annual basis, so that ECA could keep its finger on the pulse of African develop­ ment.

369. At the mid-point of the Second Development Decade, members should look back and take stock of what had been achieved so far~ and draw conclusions which could inform future actiono Instead ,of co-operation, the world had seen policies of confronta~ tion, and he hoped that African countries would strive to ensure.that a new inter­ national economic order was established in order to prevent the 1970s from becoming a decade of disappointment.

370. At the same time, he felt that Africa could take pride in its achievements on the political front. He welcomed the representatives of Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, symbols of the triumphant march of political independence.

~71. Moreover, the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries had achieved unprecedent­ ed unity and a sense of purpose in their negotiations with the European Community. That start augured well for the role Africa would play in the international arenao In that connexion, he welcomed the proposal for the creation of a pressure group to protect and preserve the rights of Africa and Africans.

372. Noting that Africa was importing at high cost food which it' could produce it­ self, he stressed that the agricultural sector should be fully exploited, and that development should not be viewed as synonymous with industrializationo The recom­ mendations of the World Food Conference should form a basis for such efforts, and ECA should explore ways and means of implementing them as a matter of urgency. The emphasis to be given to agriculture should not, however, preclud~ an approach to development as balanced growth in harmony with each country's requirements and with its environment.

373ft He wished to draw attention to an integrated rural development programrre which his country was carrying out with help from IBRD. Results so far had been suffi­ ciently encouraging to justify IBRD financing of a similar project for Mexico. Mauritius invited interested countries to send representatives to study the project, which might well be of benefit to themo In the same connexion1 he welcomed the proposal made by the IBRD representative for the holding of a seminar on that theme. - 62 -

374. vhth the help of its already existing organizations, Africa needed a strong determination to help itself. Mutual trade, a willingness to learn and co-operation among African countries would go a long vvay towards fostering a spirit of unity~ self-reliance and mutual understanding.

375. The representative of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) noted that many sections of the ECA programme of work mentioned ILO as a co-operating agency. ILO's interests were indeed very close to those of ECA in many fields, and contacts between the two organizations should promote more fruitful and more effective co­ operationo

376o Under the Horld Employment Programme 1 ILO had created the Jobs and Skills Prog­ ramme for Africa. With two teams of experts, in Addis Ababa and in Dakar, the aim was to assist African countries in the formulation, design and implementation of employment-orientated development policies 7 strategies and programmeso Those teams would, it was hoped, co-operate closely with the UliDATs set up by the Commission in the development field. Indeed, contacts had already been established to ensure complementary action to achieve the best possible results for Africa. ILO had been pleased to note that UNDP was now ready to finance a number of projects which would be executed by ECA, and hoped that new areas would be opened up in fields which 1rrere also of interest in ILO.

377. His organization had already embarked on useful activities in the field of maritime projects, and had co-operated with ECA in the field of population activi­ ties~ In addition, it had made its own contribution to the mid-term review and appraisal of progress during the Second Development Decade, making a number 0f proposals in five main fields. Firstly, action was suggested to improve knowledge and m1derstanding of labour and social trendso Secondly, action was being taken to assess the impact of employment promotion and poverty reduction programmes, includ­ ing efforts to promote emergency employment creation programmes. Thirdly, there was action to·. promote fuller employment and higher incomes through a new inter­ national division of labour, and the stressing of human resources·development plan­ ning to match the supply of skill with market demando Fourthly, action was essen­ tial .to restrain inflationary pressures and achieve a more equitable distribution of incomeo Lastly, through increased efforts to widen representation in trade unions, extended programmes of workers' education7 the promotion of co-operatives and land reform ILO was seeking increased social participation in the development process.

)78. He also informed representatives that ILO intended to hold a tripartite world conference on employment, income distribution and social progress and the inter­ national division of labour to review measures in the field of employment, income distribution and social progress and consider a ne~v division of labour which would 'enable developing countries to strengthen such measureso The active participation of ECA would contribute to the success of the conference.

379. The representative of Zambia, noting the many factors outside Africa's control which were adversely affecting its economic development, including the ever-worsen­ ing drought, said that assistance from the international community was essential and that more money should be allotted to research to cushion the impact of climatic changes in the short and the long terme Furthermore~ very serious consideration should be given to the economic situation in the land-locked countries, which were 'among the hardest hit by inflation and the energy crisisQ In Zambia 9 for example, - 63 - the implementation of the development plan had been disrupted, its oil bill had quadrupled and a slump in copper prices had severely cut its foreign reserveso Even the generous offer of Nigeria to supply oil at concessionary prices might well not benefit Zambia because of the problem of distance and high transport costs.

380. Africa's poor performance during the first years of the Second Development Decade in the field of industrialization could be attributed to instability in international trade and the fact that African countries were late starters in t~e field. They should consequently mobilize their human and material resources and ensure that they derived a fair benefit from international trade and investment arrangements. In addition to exporting to the industrialized countries, Africa should seek effective participation in planning, exploiting and developing the world's resources. The aim should be to build adequate technological capability, appropriate sldlls and industrial planning machinery. Another prerequisite was firm control over natural resources, production and distribution.

381. The formation of an African common market would offer a suitable framework for intra-African co-operation in the conservation and utilization of raw materials and for consultations leading to effective notionc Four main areas sl.ould be focused on in investment policy: private investment by individuals or partnerships; foreign investment in partnership with the Government; foreign investment together with the local people; and areas where foreign investment would not be needed.

382. Trade within Africa should be given priority, and could be encouraged through the wide dissemination of information on commodities produced by each African State. At present, reliance on imports. from the developed world led to the importing of inflation too.

383. Africa should realize that solutions for its problems must come from within the continent. Outside loans were inadequate to meet all Africa's needs, and also accentuated the burden of debt servicing. Zambia felt that the subregions should explore vJays and means of utilizing local raw materials as energy sources.

384. The representative of the Libyan Arab Republic commended the secretariat on the excellent background documents. However, he felt that the serious economic situation of the world should be attributed to imperialism, the monetary policies of certain Powers and the activities of transnational corporations. The so-called energy crisis was not responsible, and the other developing countries should follow the example of OPEC in using their natural resources for their own development. He called for a new international economic order based on justice for all peoples. Certain coun­ tries, however, tried to turn back the clock and there were even threats of military action in support of economic exploitationo Unity was necessary to defend the interests of the thi·rd world.

385. The Sahelian and Ethiopian droughts had hampered the development of Africa. Short-term measures were necessary, but long-term measures, including the building of dams and the exploitation of underground water resources, could not be avoidedo His country was providing funds and supplies for both types of measure.

386. The Libyan Arab Republic had been kept in a state of underdevelopment as the site of fighting in two wars and as a victim of the Fascist colonial system, which had left the country, at independence, with only three or four Libyan graduatese The country had started from scratch, but the discovery of oil had hastened moderni­ zation. The ECA document for Libya gave an inadequate account of the factso Under the laws of the Republic, 75 per cent of oil revenues had to be spent on economic and social development. An oil conservation· policy kept, r~tes of production at a level that would allow time for the diversification of the economy before the reserves were exhaustedo Moreover~· despite heavy expenditure on its own develop­ ment, the Libyan Ar~b Republic had allocated millions of dollars to other developing countries in Africa and elsewhere. It had greatly 1ncreased its contribution to development bcmks and other international bodies, and ha.d concluded agreements for development assistance with many African·countries. Trade with other African coun­ tries was increasing~ although the closing of the Suez Canal was one of several problems.,

387. As had already been said, Africa was a rich continent; in fact~ its resources were such as to render drought completely out of place. He pointed out that three­ quarters of all Arabs lived in Africa. Africans and Arabs had both suffered from imperialism and he saw promise for the future in Afro-Arab co-operation., The recent decision to hold an Afro-Arab summit was the first step. He also had great hopes of a real Arab-European dialogue as a way to development through understanding, for the bringing together of Arab and African natural and human resources and European technology cmd know-hm,J should open up great possibilities. Obstacles would be put in its way, but only through insistence on dialogue could there be peace, justice, and progress for all marucinda

388. The representative of the Sudan said that an equitable adjustment in the inter­ national economic system had become imperative if African citizens were to have a higher standard of living and a just political order.

389. In considering progress in the implementation of the International Development Strategy and EGA's programme of action, the Conference should bear in mind the problems of drought and the advance of the desert, the eradication of poverty, efforts to raise the living standards of the African people and the food shortage.

390. Africa's greatest asset was its agricultural potential, and substantial efforts should be made to alleviate the food shortage by allocating and mobilizing more resources, both domestic and external 7 to the development and promotion of the agricultural resour·ces of the continent.

39L His Government supported the efforts of ECA and called upon the agencies of the United Nations, other international organizations and friendly Governments out­ side Africa to co-operate vJi th the Commission in its efforts to promote the economic and social development of Africa. He confirmed that his country was giving serious consideration to hosting the U1~AT for the North African subregion.

392. The process of development in the developing countries was assumed to be hampered by the escalating prices of oil and by those of machinery and equipment. His Government was 7 however, convinced that rising oil prices had not been a major contributor to world inflation which1 in its view, had arisen out of the closure of the Suez Canal and the ensuing rise in freight rates. The price of machinery and equipment had then shot up because of cost increases and to the higher cost of labour in the industrialized countries.

393. In closing, he drew attention to some serious mistakes in the section of the Sudan contained in document E/CN.l4/632 •. - 65-

394. The representative of Egypti after pra1s1ng the high standard of the Survey documents, then referred to the world economic si~uation. It was difficult to com­ bine policies to fight inflation and balance-of~payments deficits with policies to contain unemployment and maintain a minimum standard of living. There was a con­ flict of aims, to say nothing of the limited efficacy of the policies available.

395. There was more interdependence in the world than evero The exports of the developing countries depended on the GDP of the industrialized countries and their income from exports in turn governed their capacity to. importo

396 Against the uncertain background of a recession that threatened to turn into a depression, one thing was certaino Food production in an Africa of abundant land and labour must be increased. Moreover, the earnings of producers did not depend solely on export prices. Much could be done to increase productivity and improve quality. To increase food production to the utmost was the way of stabilizing prices for the hungry masses. It could also increase employment and reduce social tensi'on. lJhat was needed, since Africa already had adequate natural and human resources, was investment and the technical lcnowledge that would lead to agricultural success.

397. Inflation and recession had already become serious before the increase in oil prices. Oil had not been a contributing factor, and the oil-producing countries were doing their best to recycle their dollars for the benefit of the world in general and the developing countries of Africa in particular. He believed that the financing of higher food production would not be a problem.

398. The representative of the Commission of the European Communities said that a Convention defining the relatio.ns between the Com~unity and 46 developing countries, of which 37 were in Africa, was shortly to be signed at Lomeo

399. The Convention, which the parties concerned considered unprecedented, was a contractual agreement among equals. The negotiation of the Convention at Lome had been characterized by the complex problems which had to be solved, the number of participants with at times greatly divergent interests and the remarkable cohesion of the non-European countries. As far as Africa was concerned, the Convention stressed the importance of close co-operation with the Community, reflecting the growing economic interdependence of the two continents. For its part, Europe, which was experiencing its worst economic crisis since the Second Horld !;Jar, had through the Convention demonstrated an open attitude to the developing world instead of closing in on itself. The Convention contained provision for accession by African countries which became independent in the future.

400. In the commercial field, the Lome Convention was based on the principle of free access to Community markets for products originating in the African partner coun­ tries, which placed those countries in the same position as members of the Community themselves. The regime governing imports into the Community of agricultural products covered by the common agricultural policy was nearly as favourable, since almost all those products would enjoy free access and the rest would be covered by a system of perferences. The Community did not require any reciprocity in trade matters. However, partners undertook to guarantee to the Community a regime no less favour­ able than that of most-favoured-nation and not to discriminate among member States. The Convention provided for the possibility of initiating and financing trade pro­ motion activities in favour of the products of partner countries. :- 66 -

401. For the first time, the industrialized countries and the developing countries which exported raw materials had agreed to a system designed to guarantee a certain level of export earnings for the latter. That form of insurance against bad years was extended to some 12 products. The arrangements for its application took into account the special circumstances of least developed, island and land-locked coun­ tries. vJhen circumstances permitted, the recipients of the transfers would contri­ bute to the restitution of the funds made available by the Community, which were in the order of 375 million units of account for the duration of the Convention, but the· least developed were exempt from that requirement.

402. One of the most striking innovations of the Convention was the importance attach­ ed to industrial co-operation designed to develop and diversify industry in partner countries and to develop research and technology adopted to their needs. A com­ mittee for industrial co-operation directed those activities, assisted by an indus­ trial development centre administered jointly by the partner States and the Community.

403e The Convention thus opened the way for further developments, but the success of the operation depended to a large extent on the working conditions of economic operators in the host countriesG

404. In the field of financial co-operation, the Convention took account of changes in the circumstances and needs of the partner countries. The Community would pro­ vide a total of 3,390 million units of account, of which 31 000 million would come out of the EDF and the remainder from the European Investment Banko The terms and conditions of Community aid would remain very favourable, and the proportion of grants would remain very highg Innovations in the field of financial co-operation included greater responsibilities of partner States in project preparation, priority to regional co-operation, the development of small-scale and medium-scale enterprises and the execution of micro-projects in rural areas. The least developed countries would have priority access to non-repayable aid.

405. The institutional framework was very solid. The Council of Ministers, the srrpreme organ of the Convention, was composed of members of the Council of the European Communities, members of the Commission of the European Communities and a member of the Government of each partner State. A Committee of Ambassadors assisted the Council of Ministers in the performance of its tasks and supervised the work of other organs and permanent or ad hoc working groups. The secretariat was estab­ lished on a basis of equal representation. The ·consultative Assembly was composed of an equal number of members of the European Parliament and representatives of partner States.

406. In the near future, the Community would concl~rle co-operation agreements with the countries of the Maghreb and initiate negotiations with Egypt.

407. In 1975 the food aid extended by the Community would be in the order of 291 million units of account over and above what was carried over from previous years. In terms of emergency activities, the Community would provide ~'~US500 million for the countries most affected by the crisis.

408. The Lome Convention was a constructive contribution to the achievement of a number of objectives of the Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade and provided an original model for co-operation with developing countries~ - 67 -

By its action9 EEC had shown its desire to help a large number of developing coun­ tries; and the fact that certain African countries which had no particular ties with any member of the Community had acceded to the Convention showed that it could in no way be thought of as a neo-colonial instrumento One of the primary objectives lof the Community was to establish a new relationship with the third world through

1 long-term co-operation based on equality and justice. I 409. 'i'he representative of Gabon expressed his delegation's support of all the views expressed by the representative of Algeria, and especially of the view that the oil­ producing nations had not been responsible for the current inflation. It had also been happy to hear from the representative of IDJlJP that plans were afoot for increas­ ed co-operation between EGA and D1~P.

410. The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania. expressed full support for the view that there was a need for concrete operational projects which would bring about lasting solutions to the most urgent economic and social problems fac­ ing Africa. Helcoming the secretariat's intention to review national agricultural development plans and promote co-operation in that field, he pointed out that agri­ culture would for a long time to come be the mainstay of African economies. Produc­ tion of food, and particularly of grain, should be given high priority in view of the current hunger and food shortages - thoughhe stressed that those were by no means due to inactivity by international agencies, but rather to poor organization

at the national level. In Tanzanj_a 1 people from all spheres had been urged to take part in food cultivation, and results had been most encouraging for future food !production prospects. Essential complements to higher production were adequate food stocks and appropriate marketing arrangements.

411. He appealed to the Commission to do all in its power to secure resources for effective future activities by the lli~ATs. The proposed search for a more reliable measurement of development effort than GDP was a welcome exercise. He was pleased that ECA planned to continue assistance for national and regional statistical services. In the field of public finance and financial institutions, the secreta­ riat should be careful to avoid the creation of unnecessary bodies and the initia­ tion of studies of dubious value. Again, the insignificant level of intra-African trade made nonsense of talks of regional monetary integration and the strenthening of African currencies.

412. It was vital .for ECA member States to act as a single traie union in tackling the economic problems resulting from the activities of the developed countries. At the same time, he stressed the importance of restructuring African countries' foreign ;trade so as to reduce their vulnerability to global trends, for example by promot­ ing intra-African trade and the domestic processing of exports.

413. Tanzania welcomed the willingness of developed countries and international organizations to lend a hand in helping Africa to secure just treatment in world economic relations. However, promises of foreign assistance had a sad history of non-fulfilrrP~t, and self-reliance was the only sure policy for African countries. The Nigerian offer of oil at concessionary prices was very welcome, but he appgaled to Nigeria to consider allowing for the possible re-export of petroleum products to other African countries by countries which took up the offer. - 68-

414. The representative of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) said that, since the foundation of CMEA in 19507 the· share of its members in world indus­ trial output had risen from 18 to 33 per cent. CMEA was an open organization and its member countries were ready to co-operate with non-member countries, irrespective

of their social and economic systems, on the bc:.~is of equali ty7 mutual advantage and non-interference in each other's internal affairse The main emphasis in CMEA's present activities was on the implementation of a comprehensive programme for the further extension and improvement of co-operation and the development of the socialis economic integration of the C~~A member countries.

415. Despite the uncertain world situation, CMEA member countries had enjoyed stable economic growth in 1974 1 with gross industrial output increasing by about 8.5 per cent 7 as compared with only approximately 2 per cent in the advanced countries. Further stable growth was envisaged for 1975·

416. From 1950 to 1973 trade turnover between the CMEA member countries and the developing world had increased more than twentyfold, and the share of developing nations in CMEA's total trade turnover had reached 9.1 per cent in 1973; the share of developing countries in CMEA 1 s foreign trade -·as tending to rise considerably.

417. At present CMEA member countries were providing economic and technical assist­ ance to 64 countries, including 29 in Africa. Long-term credits totalling approxi­

mately 11 1 000 million roubles had been granted on advantageous terms to the develop­ ing nations for economic de-velopment purposes, and about 3, 000 national economic projects had been built in developing countries 1:01i th economic a.nd technical aid from CMEA; in 1974 alone its member countries had signed more than 180 new economic and technical co-operation agreements with developing nations. The International Invest­ ment Bank established by CMEA member countries in Mosco1or in 1974 had set up a speciaJ economic and technical assistance credit fund for the developing nations, to be used to promote the development of their national economies, strengthen their economic independence and expand on mutually beneficial terms foreign economic ties with the member countries of the fund. CMEA was active in training national personnel from the developing countries and at present more than 27 1 000 students from more than 100 developing countries were studying at higher educational institutions and technical schools in CMEA member countries.

418. A fellowship fund had started to operate in the 1974/1975 academic year, and in five years' time would be able to provide between 21 000 and 21 500 fellowships.

419. CMEA aid to the developing world was not tied to the right of ownership of the finished projects, nor did it seek to control the economies of young nations, nor obtain any other rights inconsistent with national sovereignty. In other words, CMEA based its relationships with the developing world on the decisions of the sixth special session of the General Assembly and the prin~ples of the Charter of Economi' Rights and Duties of States.

420. The planned consolidation of the economic, scientific and technical potential at present proceeding under the comprehensive programme opened up nevv vistas of co­ operation between CMEA and the rest of the world. CMEA was ready for a significant expansion in economic, technical and other co-operation with developing countries along the lines which the developing nations themselves had found acceptable over the years. - 69 -

, 421 • He hoped that the exchange of experience and co-operation betlfreen CWlliA and ECA would continue to develop successfully.

422. The representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics said that recent developments confirmed that political detente was becoming a, determining factor in the world's present development. Another gratifying achievement of the two since the second meeting of the Conference of Ministers had been the success of the nationa,l liberation struggle in Africa and elsewhere.

423. Peaceful conditions were prereq1nsites to the social and economic development of all countries. The recent serious economic upheaval in many parts of the world had adversely affected the state of international trade, and the pace of economic growth of many countries had slackenedi with the result that the standard of living of various strata was d.ecliningo The crisis-ridden situation in the Western world was having an adverse effect on the economic situation in most ECA member countries, as was clearly reflected in the report contained in document E/CN.l4/632. The data contained in that report also showed that the third world was still pumping resources into the industrially developed capitalist countries.

424. His delegation felt that the third ~ororld countries could achieve genuine econo­ mic independence and raise the standard of living of their populations by implement­ ing measures aimed at long-term economic development, the strengthening of their state and co-operative sectors~ the introduction of the principles of state planning, strict regimentation of the activities of foreign and transnational enterprises and the consolidation of their sovereignty over their own natural resources.

425. As part of the socialist community, his country was a natural and reliable ally of the developing countries in their struggle for economic independence and well­ being. The stable nature of its ecnnomic development, the planned basis of its economy and its large-scale production capacity facilitated equitable and mutually beneficial cc-cperation with the developing countries. It had lifted all tariff and non-tariff barriers in its trade ~ori th the developing countries and had unilatera,lly introduced preferential treatment for all manufactures and semi-manufactures export­ ed by them. The share of the developing world in Soviet external trade 1rJas constant­ ly increasing. The scope of its economic, scientific and technical assistance to developing countries was already considerable and would continue to broaden.

426. Relations between the Soviet Union and the developing countries of Africa were unique in that they were not motivated by any notion of squeezing profits or of seeking control over the infrastructure created with Soviet help. Assistance pro­ vided by the Soviet Union was not condi tione.d by political or other requirements and was aimed at dealing with the key economic problems of the recipient countries. In co-operating with developing countriesi it strove to strengthen the state sector of their economies, Aid was provided on a planned basis and was geared to the long­ term development programmes of the recipient Sbates. Any enterprise built with Soviet help became the national property of the recipient State.

427s Responding to the call for emergency assistance to those parts of Africa stricken by drought and other calamities, his Government had provided help to a number of countries. It had also replied to the appeal contained in Conference resolution 240(XI) for emergency assistance fo Zambia. In addition, it provided aid to developing countries through international organizations, including the

United Nations. In that connexion7 it viewed ECA as a major body for economic - 70-

co-operation and development in Africa and took a positive view of ECA activities in such important areas as the development of natural resources and the organiza­ tion of regional conferences on energy, statistics, demography, etc. Finally the thousands of Africans studying in his country included nationals of 13 African nations sent there under the auspices of ECA.

428• The repr8sentative of Cameroon said that the world was now facing a decisive period in its history characterized by inflation, the monetary crisis and natural disast::::rs.

429o ·::>.~re was no doubt that much remained to be done in Africa, and it would appear that previous decisions had remained a dead letter. Intra-African markets had not been organized, transport had not been harmonized and producers' associations had not been established in all fields. The Commission should emphasize the real lack of co-operation among African countries in the past.

430. It was high time that priority was accorded to increasing agricultural produc­ tion, on which the majority of rural people were dependent. The green revolution in his country had started in 1972. Considerable efforts were required to increase agricultural production in that the country was part Sahelian and part rain forest. The scope for joint action offered by regional and subregional organizations such as EAC and UDEAC should be fully exploredo

431. With regard to the issues raised at the sixth special session of the General Assembly and other international forums, he drew attention to the extent of intra­ African trade and the effects of the collapse of the international monetary system on the terms of trade of developing countrieso The developing countries had to take measures to ensure that they had some protection against the danger implicit in the collapse of the international monetary systemo

432. The representative of the Central African Republic said that he fully endorsed the views expressed by the representative of Algeria. With regard to the establish­ ment of a new international economic order and the development of African trade, he drew attention to "Operation Bokassan, launched in 1974 1 which was designed to open up the country. The fact that the Central African Republic was land-locked constitu· ed a serious handicap. He felt that a resolution was needed on the problems of the land-locked countries and that the Conference should adopt positive measures in that regard.

433 The representative of Togo endorsed the views expressed by previous speakers, particularly with regard to the fact that the time had come for decisive action to secure a better future. His Government would shortly be sending the secretariat corrections with respect to the data relating to Togo in the Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa, 1974.

434. The observer for the German Democratic Republic said that it was clear that forces working for international detente 1.vere constantly gaining strength. The success of peoples freed from exploitation and oppression had been reflected in the achievements of the sixth special session of the General Assembly. Nevertheless, vigilance e,gainst the enemies of detente was still essentiaL - 71-

435. The German Democratic Republic had in its time been subjected to the tactics of discrimination and blackmail, and fully appreciated the problems of the developing countries. It supported attempts to stop neo-colonialist exploitation and enforce

a new economic order. Social progress was essential for economic growth1 and the mobilization of domestic resources and capacities could be achieved t~1rou6h the use of incentives for those working in the public sector. 'Jlhe increasing importance of that sector in many African countries would make it possible to offset imperialist trouble-making manoeuvres.

436. The German Democratic Republic valued ECA and OAU efforts against colonialism and neo-colonialism~ and stood in firm solidarity with all peoples struggling for freedom and independence. It also believed that all Arab territories occupied by the aggressors in 1967 should be liberated~

437 .. The representative of Hungary said that the developing countr1es of the world 7 and especially the independent countries of Africa, were those which suffered most from the impact of the inflation and the monetary crisis of the TrJest. lr.Ji thin the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations 7 the socialist countries supported the independent African countries through bilateral trade arrange­ ments7 bilateral and multilateral aid programmes and the like. His own country maintained economic ties with African countries in many fields. For instance, its trade with countries in the Eastern African subregion had doubled over the past 2 years. Its relations with African countries were based on respect for the principles of independence 7 sovereignty and non-interference in tl1e internal affairs of other countries. Broad co-operation with the African countries had developed in the fields of technology and science, culture and higher education. Hungary took an active part in the development plans of man;y· African countries and co-operated with ECA in the implementation of projects in Africa. His Government had made scholarships available for young ECA staff members for study towards university or post-graduate degt'ees. It also made a substantial annual contribution to UNDP 7 the Special Fund of UNIDO and 1JliJEP.

438. He pointed out that the socialist countries were managing to avoid most of the ill effects of the economic problems caused by the inflation, price manipulations and other difficulties with which much of the world was now faced. It would there­ fore be of mutual benefit to the peoples of the socialist countries and of African countries to extend the economic and commercial co-operation which existed between them. It was the intention of his Government to work towards that end. In that

connexion7 he pointed out that the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance was paying increasing attention to the needs of African countries and suggested that it would be beneficial to forge economic lirtl(S between African countries and CMEA as well as between them and the individual socialist countries.

1439. ECA had an important role to play in finding ways and means for the African countries to strengthen their economic position in the current period_ of world_ crisis, I and it was for the third meeting of the Conference to broaden the hor1zons of 1ts member States in terms of more flexible multilateral relations.

'440~ The representative of the Horld Heal-th Organization (vJHO ), outlining Tr.JHO activi­ ties in the region, said that the health component to be found in most socio-economic development projects was often of key importance for the success of the projects and the welfare of the populations inVolved. The health component was related' in various

cases to communicable and parasitic diseases 1 nutrition, mental hygiene 7 accidents and occupational hazards and environmental pollution. Regrettably, however, health aspects had to be played down or even ignored where economic problems were dominant. - 72-

441. HHO had submitted to the Economic and Social Council a review of the world health situation at the beginning of the Second Development Decade, and would provid updated material as its contribution to the mid-decade review and appraisalo Since the second meeting of the Conference, a number of unfavourable factors had made themselves felt in Africa, notably the drought, and WHO had rendered substantial assistance in the affected areas, both in the Sahel and in Ethiopia. WHO had worked closely with FAO, UNDP and UNICEF in assistance activities.

442o In co-operation with OAU, UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR and host Governments, lrJHO had provided assistance in the field of health to colonial peoples in Africa seeking liberation from colonial domination, focusing on health staff training and health promotion for displaced communities and the populations of liberated areas.

443. Onchocerciasis furnished a good illustration of the interrelationship between health and economics in the Volta River Basin, where it had deterred settlement and productive land use. It had been comprehensively studied in that area, and a regional onchocerciasis control programme had been approvedc Studies were continu­ ing in other river basins which .. experienced the same or similar problems.

444. In the past two years, smallpox and yellow fever had received special attention from lrJHO, and the smallpox eradication campaign had been a great success.

1 445 ~ Another of vJHO s urgent priori ties was environmental sani tation7 which was an essential accompaniment to sound development, and work had been carried out on the improvement of water supplies, the development of waste collection and disposal facilities, the improvement of housing and the control of vectors by sanitary engineering.

446 c The representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said that J!'AO was responsible for co-ordinating the relief work of the entire United Nations system in the drought-stricken countries of Africa. Donor Governments, non-governmental organizations, the mass media and the public

had aided effectively in the operations. Over 1, 2501 000 metric "tons of food grains had been delivered and an almost non-stop airlift had carried part of the total to ·. inaccessible areas.

447. Widespread rains and other favourable factors in 1974-1975 had improved the position in the Sahel, but emergency assistance would have to continue until the medium-term and long-term programmes sta.bilized the situation. FAO and the rest of the United Nations system were helping the permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel in putting those programmes into operation. The attention aroused by the disaster should lead to permanent action.

448. The minimum world food security policy of· FAO was designed to maintain a safe basic level of food supplies, which would entail the keeping of minimum cereal stocks, by as many countries as possible. FAO had established a food information system, and was instituting the Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture in co-operation with HMO, the International Wheat Council and other bodies concerned. - 73-

449 .. Africa, with 9. 7 per cent of world population, 1-vas responsible for only 4 per cent of total cereal production, and he called on ECA to give first priority in agricultural policy to food production. Production could be increased through in­ creased productivity rather than the extension of cultivated areas, which often caused a loss of soil fertilitye

450. The lack of a comprehensive land use policy in livestock breeding areas such as the Sahe.lian grasslands had led to a serious deterioration of pasture resourcesg The tradition of free access to grazing land would have to be changed.

451. National price policies would have to change if there was to be any real in­ centive to improve productivity. Another serious factor was the lack of appropriate marketing, storage, and processing facilities, though there had been some attempt to tackle it. Sustained demand was also a requirement, and there labour-intensive development projects could be useful. Capital-intensive projects, however, were often more immediately attractive, and there was an urgent need for a shift in foreign aid towards greater support for operating costs and other recurrent expendi­ ture.

452. He spoke warmly of FAO's co-operation with ECA, and submitted a copy of the report of the Eighth FAO Regional Conference for Africa for the consideration of the Conference.

453. Lastly, in the field of decolonization7 he said that FAO was providing assist­ ance to the liberation movements recognized by OAU, and that representatives of those movements were participating actively in FAO conferencesG

454. The representative of the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) assured the Conference that UNESCO would co-operate with EGA in implementing any resolution related to the contribution of EGA to the establish­ ment of a new international economic order, although UNESCO was not particularly qualified to undertake a technical analysis of the main problems dealt with in the Declaration. It could, however make a useful contribution by emphasizing the need for scientific objectivity and the promotion of justice.. It could contribute by focusing the work of specialists on the subjects covered in the Declaration, en­ couraging or conducting research ar.d studies in key areas, promoting teaching of the problems and concepts involved and undertaking public information activities. Section III (Industrialization) of the Declaration offe:r:ed an opportunity for concrete intervention by UNESCOo The same was true of Section IV, which dealt with the transfer of tec4nology, one of the principal topics discussed by CASTAFRICA. Most important of all, the changes called for in the Declaration could be spear­ headed by Governments effectively only if the people themselves understood and sub­ scribed to their implications. That meant that a great effort to promote public awareness had to be made in all countries.

455· The representative of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said that his organization shared with ECA the view that all development in Africa would continue to be hampered until adequate telecommunication facilities were establish­ ed on both a national and an international basis. The need for expanded and im­ proved telecommunication services could not be over-emphasized .. - 14 -

456o The role of ECA was to guide member coun~r1es in their approach to the develop­ ment of telecommunications. It should~ with the co-operation of ITU, document the influence of adequate telecommunications on development and also the negative effect of inadequate telecommunications on day-to-day activities, let alone on development activities, in social and economic areaso The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference had issued instructions to the Secretary-General of ITU to guide him in providing assis­ tance to developing countries in the improvement of their telecommunication services. A group of high-level consultative engineers was maintained by ITU to assist develop­ ing countries on request in solving their telecommunication problems. ITU was also active in the field of training.. One of its most successful activities was the convening of seminars to assist countries in building up their own expertise. To­ gether with ECA, OAU and ADB, it was actively promoting the establishment of the Pan-African Telecommunication Network, known as Panaftel. The first phase in the construction of the network was expected to be completed by 1978 1 and a meeting of national telecommunication administrations was being convened in 1975 to o1rlline the next phase. TTU co-operated closely with ECA in all the activities he had mentioned a

457. The representative of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said that an important part of the OECD Development Centre 1 s mandate was to maintain links vJi th developing countries, to be an open door and a window on the third world. It had supported the establishment of regional associations of research and training institutes in various continents, including the Council for the Development of Economic and Social Research in Africa, to promote the free flow of information not only within the third world, but also to and from other regions of the world.

458. In its capacity as a research institution primarily concerned with development problems, the OECD Development Centre operated in the follovJing major fields of study, the transfer, adaptation and choice of technology, international and internal migration, population problems as an aspect of development, rural and agricultural development, food production and nutrition, fertilizers, and the Sahelian drought. Other activities had included two cartographic studies of the Sahel, project appraise: and evaluation, national accounts in developing countries, tourism and the complex matter of how to reach the lowest income groups. As far as its limited resources permitted the OECD Development Centre looked forward to co-operation with ECA.

459. The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) had recently reaffirmed., during its annual High Level Meeting, the importance of intensifying economic support for the poorest developing countries, a,nd had declared that an increase in the flow of resources to developing countries and an improvement in quality remained fundamental objectives of the DAC. Member countries should make intensified efforts, despite current economic and financial difficulties, to increase the volume of official development assistance.

460. The representative of the Communaute economigue de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEAO) said that the establishment of his organization was an important element in Africa's development strategy and in strengthening the development process of countries with limited economic means and small markets. CEAO was composed of Ivory Coast, Mali, Upper Volta, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. CEAO had been established as a result of the failure of the West African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAO) to attain its objectivesc In the Treaty estab:ishing CEAO and the annexed protocols, anachronistic protectionist measures had been discarded in favour of a policy of promoting integrated co-operation in line with the historical reality of the unified trade zone and markets which had existed in the area prior to the era of colonial rule. - 75 -

461. Despite the fact that the six member countrietJ formed part of the Sa,hel zone and that five of them were in the "least developed" category, CEAO hoped to exploit both the riches that had been known in olden times and newly discovered mineral wealtho Several of its members were important exporters of agricultural products, and industrial units were growing in number. The secretariat of CEAO would in particular continue to promote the local processing of raw materials, including foodstuffs.

462. Every effort would be made to promote the economic development of member States. Provision had been made in the Treaty establishing CEAO and the annexed protocols to establish special offices for the promotion of sectoral activities. They includ­ ed a bureau for agricultural development, an office for livestock and meat and so forth.

463. In short, despite their difficulties, the members of CEAO were endeavouring to become self-reliant and to take control of their resources out of the hands of foreigners. Conscious of the connexion between economic and political independence, they were doing all in their power to secure their economic independence as rapidly as possible through the application of modern technology. Economic independence too required the mobilization of all material, human and financial resources and CEAO therefore hoped to receive meaningful assistance from the Commission and other United Nations bodies in its endeavours.

464. The representative of the Commonwealth Secretariat considered that two important questions needed answering- what had gone wrong with the strategy for African development and what future action was necessary. A common African position on multilateral co-operation and permanent sovereignty resources wo,1ld be important in formulating the new international economic order.

465. There had never been a greater need for concerted action at both regional and world levels. Africa's problems had been diagnosed 16 years before, yet they were still threatening to get worse rather than better. The most recent areas of concern­ the energy crisis and the catastrophic droughts - had merely aggravated existing problems in Africa. In the case of the drought, the response by the world had taJcen the form of emergency relief opera,tions, but little had been done in the wa;;T of preventative action for the future. In the case of the energy crisisi special facilities, such as the emergency -fund, had been created in the United Nations system for the most seriously affected countries, most of which were in Africa. The rest of the action in that area had so far centred around the methods of recycling petro-dollars. Unfortunately, the very countries with the capaJity to absorb petro-dolla,rs had, in the fight against inflation, tended to adopt measures restrict­ ing econqmic growth at home and their trade abroad, since such measures would pro­ duce short-term balance-of-payments improvements but in the long term would add to the contraction of world trade. As emphasized in the Strategy for the Second Development Decade, long-term plan1ung was needed immediately to start clearing the way for development in the sixteen very poor countries of Africao

466. The Commonwealth Secretariat attached great importance to improving agricultural production and to rural development and, as a follow-up to the recent 11Jorld Food Conference, was organizing jointly with the United Kingdom Government a meeting of some 35 Commonwealth ministers on agricultural production and rural development. - 76 -

467. Regarding the question of terms of trade, at the 1973 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Ottawa, the Commonwealth Secretariat had produced a study which sought to identify measures which individually or together would ensure equit­ able and remunerative terms of trade for primary producers, namely (a) guaranteed price agreements, which in a way related to the proposal to index primary commodity prices to the prices of manufactures; (b) multilateral contracts such as the Inter­ national vJheat Agreement; (c) producers' cartels such as OPEC and CIPEC; (d) buffer stock agreements, such as the International Tin Agreement; (e) reform of marketing arrangements to favour primary exportersi (f) limitation or taxation of synthetic substitutes; (g) promotional activities and research into new uses of primary pro­ ducts; (h) increased efforts to process primary products.regionally, so as to transfer some prcQuction from industrial countries to the developing countries providing the raw materials i and (i) comper.sation for shortfalls in export earnings from primary commodities.

468. The Commonwelath Secretariat wished to stress that it attached great importance to the Lome Convention.

469. The representative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) outlined the functions of his organization, which were~ to facilitate world co-operation in the establishment of networks of stations for meteorological observations and related geophysical observations; to help to establ~sh centres providing meteorological services; to work for the standardization of observations and the uniform publica­ tion of data; to further the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping and environmental problems; and to encourage research and training in meteorology and co-ordinate their international aspects.

470. 1.rJi th those aims in viev-J WMO had instituted its WWW (iiJorld Weather Watch) prog­ ramme, which was subdivided into GOS (Global Observation System), GTS (Global Tele­ communications System), and GDFS (Global Data Processing System). The underlying purpose was. to bring the benefits of the most advanced techniques to all countries. The main responsibility, however, rested with national meteorological serviceso

471. Referring to matters of immediate concern to the Confernece 1 the speru~er men­ tioned the neei to study the correlation between weather and the yield of food crops, and suggested the setting up of an agrometeorological service in each country. Energy could be tapped from the wind, and data on wind were essential for the effective installation of windmills. The sun was another source of energy and there was no lack of it in Africa.

472. To neglect the importance of meteorology could be harmful to a country, and 1oJMO was ahJays willing to assist and advise. It realized that 1i ttle could be done without equipment and qualified staff, but both were funded by WMO through illiOP and its own VAP (Voluntary Aid Programme) and regular budgeto WMO had been the execut­ ing agency for five meteorological training centres in Africa and the survey of three lakes for the study of the headwaters of the Nile, and it had also provided fellowships for meteorological students.

473. The role played by WMO in the Sudano-Sahelian zone had been to contribute to the medium-term and long-term campaign against the drought. It had helped to draw up a programme for the application of meteorology, climatology and hydrology, which had been approved by the Permanent Inter-State Committee. - 77 -

474• WMO co-operated actively with EGA and had s8conded a hydrologist to help in the planning and development of hydrological and hydrometeorological networks in Africa. In conclusion the speaker quoted the part of Economic and Social Council resolution l728(LIII) that emphasized the importance of meteorology, and reiterated the wil­ lingness of liJMO to help the countries of Africa.

475. The representative of the livorld Federation of Trade . Unions (vvFTU) said that the gap between the developed and developing countries had widened during the first four years of the Second Development Decade. The deterioration of the economic situation in the developing countries had also affected agriculture, and over vast expanses in Africa the big multinational companies had already changed the pattern of land cultivation so as to favour the production of luxury food products for developed countriesi at the expense of basic food products for the local population.

476G The introduction of new, expensive technology and increasing amounts of foreign capital into local agriculture was gradually killing off small-and medium-sized production units. That factor, coupled with the inadequate support Governments gave to agrarian reform programmes, was increasing the flight from the land into big cities.

477. The commission on balanced rural and urban development set up at the fourth ILO African Regional Conference had stressed national and democratic control of the economy, the setting up of bodies suited to current development needs, fundamental agrarian refor:m and modernization of farming techniques so as to raise productivity) the adoption of industrialization policies and programmes based on agricultural products and available natural resources, and the expansion of intra-African co­ operation aimed at encouraging a more rational use of natural and human resources.

478. The less developed countries now had .to take control of their resources and aim at thorough industrialization: for that purpose a genuine reform of inter­ national economic relations was vital. The socialist countries believed that such reform was a necessary aspect of peaceful coexistence.

479. WFTU's position was in line with the recent Dakar Declaration inviting third world countries to act together to continue the irreversible process already under way in international economic relations. WFTU fully supported those at the Dakar Conference who had condemned the threats against the oil-producing countries and welcomed the fact that that conference had adopted resolutions on the economic

decolonization of Southern Viet-Nam1 Cambodia, Palestinei Panama, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. It unreservedly supported the conference's request that the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet-Nam should be admitted to the specialized agenciesG

480. So far, regrettably, no progress had been made in associating trade unions in the activities of the EGA. FAO, ~~SCO and the Economic and Social Council had .started holding annual meetings with representatives of the three international trade union organizations, liJFTU, ICFTU and \rJCLi to study matters of common interest in detail. The results had been encouraging, and ECA might consider the possibility of using a similar method. - 78-

481. The representative of the International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations (ISMUN), speaking on behalf of the Africa secretariat of his own organization, African youth organizations and the United Nations Student Associa­ tions of Africa, said that while African countries were currently faced with many great economic and social difficulties, those difficulties were not insurmountable provided that all the human and material resources of Africa were used. He pledged the continuing support of African youth for the work of ECA in the social and

economic development of the underprivileged sectors of the African population and 7 in that connexion, noted the capacity of African young people and students to act as agents for developmento

482 .. In recent years ISMUlif (Africa) had undertalcen several major activities in line with the concerns of the Com~ssion 7 among them research into the relationship between demographic factors in development and the welfare needs of the African people, action at the community level to fight famine and boost food production and the development of an African student volunteeer corps to support emergency relief measures and to facilitate involvement in ongoing development projects.

483o In connexion with the use of more ·trained and qualified Africans indirecting the programmes of ECA, he felt that steps should be taken as soon as possible to relate studies in African universities to the specific concerns of ECA. Further, urgent consideration should be given to study seminars for undergraduates and post­ graduates from ECA member countries during the long vacations, and a permanent student and youth programme should be established under the aegis of ECA. ISMUN was prepared to help carry out those suggestionso

484-o The representative of the Mano River Union said that his organization was an economic and social union which at present linked Liberia and Sierra Leone but which could be extended to other West African countries. The aims of the union included eliminating all barriers to mutual trade, co-operation in the expansion of inter­ national trade, the creation of conditions favourable to the expansion of productive capacity, including the progressive development of a common productive policyi and co-operation in the creation of new productive capacity. Planning and investigation were proceeding in many areas including customs harmonization, bulk purchasing, marketability of locally produced goods and the identification and promotion of investment opportunities. United Nations technical assistance had been forthcoming for pre-investment studies in connexion with joint investment projects and union industrieso V>Jork had begun in October 1974 on a Mane River bridge linking Liberia and Sierra Leoneo Studies were proceeding on the harmonization of various land transport activities and coastal and ocean shipping, air transport, postal services and the accelerated provision of a multi-channel telecommunications linlc between the two co~mtrieso High priority was being given to studies of hydro-electric potential in the Mano River basin.

485. Plans and procedures were being developed for the organization of research activities in various aspects of agriculture, forestry and fishery.

486. A programme directory of education and training facilities in Liberia and Sierra Leone had been completedo A co-operative drive was being made to increase the growth of technically skilled manpowerc Training programmes were under way in telecommunications, rubber plantation and forestry management, and it was planned to start a joint middle-level training programme for forest rangers and for marine, air and other personnel. It was expected that Union training policies would be embodied in Union legislation to be enacted in the member Statesc - 79 -

487. The Union was convinced of the feasibility of inter-African co-operation, and looked forward to closer links with the various bodies e~gaged in the promotion of economic co-operationo

488. The representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) stated that her agency was keenly interested in the plans for action to be adopted by the Con­ ·ference and their effect on the future of African childreno A rise in GNP did not automatically improve the quality of life, and there should be a social development component in all action programmes.

489. Children were inarticulate and hard to reach, and. UNICEF was interested in action concerning women, because fuller participation by women in economic life led immediately to the fuller well-being of children. The formation of the Pan-African Training and Research Centre for Wome~ and the African Women's Volunteer Task Force were positive steps away from words towards action, and UNICEF had already expressed its support for several elements in the corresponding programme. It was particular­ ly int.erested in mobile training units to help women in responsible positions im­ prove their income-producing ability; in the development of technologies that were labour-intensive, used local resources to the full, and were of direct benefit to the rural family; in improving the quality of facilities for the pre-school child; and, lastly, in the local production of teaching materials.

490o It seemed appropriate during International Women's Year to start giving effect to Mrso Sipila's proposal to equalize the responsibility of men and worr.en in the development process and to equalize their preparation to accept that responsibility, primarily in the economic field.

491. The support of UNICEF, however slender it might sometimes be, was going to every country in Africa.

492. The Executive Secretary, responding to points raised during the debate, said that the observations and reservations expressed by representatives had been noted. Indeed, the secretariat had anticipated and looked forward to comments on the new form of the Survey. It had originally been planned that, on the basis of comments and further information obtained from member States, a revised version would be issued. He hoped that member co~mtries would make clear their views and suggestions for the new Survey to the secretariat as soon as possibleo A revised version was required for the July session of the Economic and Social Council.

493o It had been suggested that the secretariat should have contacted Governments to obtain more up-to-date information for insertion in the Survey. The secretariat had made efforts in that regard, but without great success. Co-operation was essential if EGA's new picture of the situation in Africa was to be full and accurate. If that had not been achieved so far, the secretariat would be pleased to make the required adjustments.

494. The Executive Secretary stressed that the document contained many references to the origins of current problems affecting the entire world, some comments on which had been raised during the discussion at the meeting. It was certainly hoped that Governments would find the Survey increasingly useful as they became acquainted with its contents. The Survey was expected to improve over time, especially if · full co-operation was secured for its preparation. - 80-

495o On the subject of preparations for international negotiations, he pointed out that ECA now had a total of seven projects for assistance for such preparations. As for the work that vwuld be needed to ensure the establishment of a new inter­ national economic order, he drew attention to the fact that the Technical Committee of Experts had drafted a resolution for action by the Conference, which might perhaps be improved upon before it was adopted. Another resolution the Conference was to adopt, on the food situation in Africa, would, it was hoped, assist ECA to carry out with co-operation from OAU the te,sks assigned by the recent meeting of the OAU Council of Ministers.

496e He referred in detail to specific suggestions that had been made on the action that should be taken on the establishment of a new international economic order. It had been recommended on the one hand that there should be an action programme of institution building, bold and imaginative projects and increased mobilization of resources for project implementation. Another approach was to evaluate the action of producers' associations, study future production, processing and marketing conditions, study methods by which African countries could regain control of their natural resources and the marketing structure for their products and to work out arrangements for guaranteeing the levels of prices and export earnings by the establishment of buffer stocks financed by aid from other developing countries with surplus resources. The purchasing power of the third world had to be safeguarded and there needed to beaunited front against threats of aggression towards any developing country which tried to restore its rights by nationalization of its national resources. 497. At the conclusion of its discussion of these items, the Conference unanimously adopted the following resolutions: (i) agenda item 8: resolutions 27l(XII) and 272(XII )7 (ii) agenda i tern 9: resolutions 256(XII), 257(XII ), 274(XII) cmd 282(XII); (iii) agenda item 10: resolution 260(XII); and (iv) agenda item ll: resolution 262(XII) (see part III below).

RELATIONS BET1rJEEN THE COMMISSION AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

(Agenda i tern 12)

498. The Executive Secretary introduced the item, and outlined the information

provided in document E/CN.l4/627 1 drawing attention to the existence of a new Joint Industry Division within ECA which was organized with the assistance of UNIDO in order to avoid duplication of effort and to help secure access to additional resour­ ces. In the field of science and technology in particular, use was made of the joint sectoral committees ECA had set up with Ui.IJ"ESCO in order to respond to the region's needs. In connexion with the drought and the long-term programme of measures to combat its effects, ECA had set up a multidisciplinary project together

with Ul'fESC0 1 11JH0 1 lrJMO, UNIJP and FAO. 499. Though time had not permitted a discussion of telecommunications issues, he wished to inform representatives that the programme for a Pan-African Telecommunica­ tion Network had been completed, and that resources were now being mobilized for its implementation. Another project which had given rise to great interest among African countries was the development of drainage basins under the aegis of UNDP. He felt that it would be useful to report from time to time on work in that field, which concerned areas which could come to be focal points for development. - 81 -

500o The African transport network now constituted a whole series of road systems, including links across the Sahara and across West Africa, which might one day con­ nect up with the road networks of southern Africa. Africa could claim to be the first continent to have expressly designed a road netwo:..•k which covered all areas of the continent.

501. Though there was no need to report on co-operation between ECA and OAU, he stressed the readiness of ECA to work as an agencyin-yery close contact with OAU. In the field of possible investment in Africa, ECA, ADB, IBRD and IDEP had co­ operated in organizing courses to remedy the huge shortage of qualified personnel in Africa. Greater support of those courses would be likely to encourage IBRD to continue its oT-rn support.

502. Experts had been assigned on a bilateral basis to assist ECA in the field of industr,y, and also those of economic research and planning, trade and trade promotion, fiscal and monetary studies, agricultural development, natural resources development and cartography. As the document before the Conference showed, such arrangements could make it possible to secure expert services and additional extra-budgetary rescl'urces where the secretariat 1 s own resources were slim.

503. Several representatives raised in greater detail the question of co-operation between ECA and OAU. Welcoming the Executive Secretary's readiness to see ECA act as an agency of OAU, they pointed out that, while one of OAU 1 s major objectives - that of decolonization - was now approaching full realization, the organization would henceforth increasingly have to concentrate on economic and social development in Africa, a field in which ECA had built up considerable expertise. It was felt that the Conference should decide at the current meeting to transform itself into a recognized ministerial organ concerned with economic and social matters, reporting direct to the OAU Summit Conference. Of course, there were far-reaching legal implications of such a move, and it might in fact be a little early to envisage a full transfer to OAU; but it would be useful to ask the Executive Committee to consider the implications and, possibly, empower it to put into effect such arrange­ ments as it decided upon without waiting for the fourth meeting of the Conference. At all events, ECA should start the ball rolling as soon as possible.

504. The existing arrangements were an anachronism, and BCA should be placed fully at the service of African development, the African revolution and the implementation of the new international economic order in Africa. It was essential to restructure the United Nations system so that it truly served Africa's aims within an integrated approach to development and intra-African co-operation. That was a very broad ques­ tion, which might well be usefully brought up at the seventh special session of the General Assembly, but while such problems were being discussed, it would undoubtedly be useful for the Conference to affirm the principle that ECA should serve the organization which was the expression of African unity. Full implementation of the proposal could follow a thorough elucidation of the various problems involved.

505. Other representatives cautioned against such a drastic approach to the intitu­ tional arrangements governing ECA 1 s activities, and the representatives of Nigeria, Uganda and Zaire placed on record their reservations concerning the resolution . which the Conference subsequently adopted (see part III below, resolution 284(XII)). The Conference a.lso adopted unanimously another resolution under i tern 12 (see part III belcnrJ 1 resolution 270 (XII)). - 82 -

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR

(Agenda i tern l3)

506. Introducing the item7 the Executive Secretary drew attention to the plans ECA had drawn up for International Women's Year, which were listed in document E/CN.l4/ TEC0/23/Rev.2o They included a regional seminar on the integration of women in development, an African Plan of Action for the Integration of Women in Development and the establishment of a Pan-African Training and Research Centre especially for women. One innovative aspect of EGA's work in the field was the setting up of a Task Force to promote the objectives of the Year. Other action included the en­ couragement of national Commissions for Women and Development and lrJomen' s Bureaux, a newsletter and a brochure on women, and national seminars and public meetings held to launch International Homen's Year~

507. One representative suggested that the resolution to be adopted by the Con­ ference should contain provisions which would encourage the strengthening and development of co-operation with UNDP in respect of women.

508. The Conference then unanimously adopted a resolution on the item (see part III below 1 resolution 269(XII)).

DATE AND PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING

(Agenda item 14)

509. Under the prov1s1ons of Commission resolution l30(VII), the next meeting is due to be held in 1977. An invitation from the Government of Zaire to hold the thirteenth session of the Commission (fourth meeting of the Conference of Ministers) in Kinshasa was accepted and a resolution to that effect wa,s unani,nausly adopted

(see part III below 1 resolution 276 (XII)). '

REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE TO T:HE: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

(Agenda item 1'5)

510. At its l83rd meeting, the Conference adopted the report of the twelfth session of the Commission (third meeting of the Conference of Ministers) to the Economic a,nd Social Council. It also unanimously adopted a resolution expressing apprecia­ tion to the Government and people of Kenya for their hospitality in hosting the Conference (see part III below, resolution 287(XII)).

511. The Chairman then declared the twelfth session of the Commission (third meet­ ing of the Conference of Ministers) closed. - 83 -

PART III RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER DECISIONS ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS AT ITS THIRD IVIEETING

RESOLUTIONS

E:.,__Resolution ___ ...:_-..,....~-.:~~ No. ~ Title

253 (XII) Inclusion of Arabic among the working languages of the Commission ------85 254 (XII) Amendment to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission - 85 255 (XII) Amendment to the terms of reference of the Commission - 86 256 (XII) Implementation of the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order - 87 257 (XII) Capacity of the regional economic commissions for a unified approach to development ------91 258 (XII) Co-operation between the Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Development Programme 92 259 (XII) Staff and administrative questions 92 260 (XII) Measures for contributing to the application of the

Declaration1 Programme of action and the resolutions adopted by the Conference of developing countries on raw materials, held at Dakar in February 1975 93 261 (XII) Mineral development centres ------96 262 (XII) Arrangements to promote the development of trade by African countries and particularly of direct intra­ African trade ------97 263 (XII) Land-locked African countries 98 264 (XII) Desertification ------99 265 (XII) Use of solar energy in African countries 100 266 (XII) Food situation and programme of action 101 267 (XII) Investment promotion and industrialization 102 268 (XII) African Regional Plan for the Application of Science and Technology to Development ------105 269 (XII) Integration of African women in national development 106 270 (XII) Co-operation between the Economic Commission for Africa and the Organization of African Unity -- 107 271 (XII) Review and appraisal of progress in implementing the goals and objectives of the second United Nations Development Decade ----- 108 272 (XII) Statistics 109 273 (XII) Integrated programmes on popul.::>.tion - llO 274 (XII) Public administration ------ll2 - 84 -

~tion No.

275 (XII) African road netv,.Jrk plan ------112 276 (XII) Regulations relating to road freight transport 113 277 (XII) Air transport ------114 278 (XII) Pan-African telecommunications network 114 279 (XII) Telecommunications training ------114 280 (XII) Remote Sensing Centre for Africa ------116 281 (XII) Satellite broadcasting ------117 118 282 (XII) Meetings of the Technical Committee of Experts -- 283 (XII) Second General Conference of the Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) ------118 284 (XII) Governing Council of the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning ------119 285 (XII) African Institute for Economic Development and Planning­ 120 286 (XII) Date and place of the thirteenth session of the Commission (fourth meeting of the Conference of Ministers) --- 121

287 (XII) Vote of thanks to the Government and People of the 122 Republic of Kenya ------

OTHER DECISION

Election of members of the Executive Committee ------122 - 85 -

R3SOLUTIONS

~-

~~

Having considered the financial implications of implementing this recommen- dation·,~~-,-~~-~~--~···-·--~·

Requests the Economic and Social Council to recommend to the General Assembl~th;~pproval of Arabic as an official and working language of the Eccr.omic Commission for Africa, in addition to English ar.d French.

Recallin~ General Assembly Resolution 262l(XXV) of 12 October 1970 on the programme of action for the full impleiT.entation of the'Declaration on the GrGnting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and Economic and Social Council resolution l892(LVII) of l August 1974 on the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations,

Anxious that no restrictive interpretation should be given to Economic and Social Counci-l resolution l892(LVII) referred tc above; .

l. Decides that the rules of procedure of the Commission should be amended by the addition of the following two rules under a ne-w chapter entitled ' 1f'artici­ pation of national liberation movements recognized by the Crganization of Afric.:ln Uni ty11 to be inserted between existing chapters XIV and X7.

nrr:he Commission shall invite ;:,ny national liberation nJoveiT.ent recognized. by the Organization of African Unity and not purporting to represent Gil associate member of the Commission to pGrticipate in its deliberc:,tions

1J' E/CN.l4/633 y' E/CN.l4/lll/Rev.5 • - 86 -

on a,ny matter. Any na,tional liberation movement thus invited shall not have the right to vote but may submit proposals which may be put to the vote at the request of any member of the Commission.

;'A Committee may invite any natione.l liberation movement recognized by the Organization of African Unity and not purporting to represent an associate member of the Commission to participate in its deliberations on any matter. Any national liberation movement so invited shall not have the right to vote but may submit proposals which may be put to the vote at the request of any member of the Committeeo 11

2. Decides that all travel and other related expenses of representatives of national liberation movements invited to participate in such deliberations shall be defra;Jred by the Commission.

183rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

255(XII)o Amendment to the terms of reference of the Commissionl/

The Conference of Ministers,

Considering General Assembly resolution 3205(XXIX) of 17 September 1974 on thE admission of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau as a Member of the United Nations, Genei Assembly resolution 262l(XXV) of 12 October 1970 on the Programme of Action for thE full implementation of the Declaration on the granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and Economic and Social Council resolution 1892(LVII) of 1 c'­ August 1974 on the implementation of the Declaration by the specialized agencies ar the international institutions associated with the United Nations,

Desirous that no restrictive interpretation should be given to Economic and Social Council resolution 1892(LVII) referred to above,

Recommends the Economic and Social Council the addition of the following new paragraph between paragraphs 9 and 10 of the terms of reference of the Commission:

"The Commission shall invite any national liberation movement recognized by the Organization of African Unity to send observers to participate in its consideration of any matter of interest to that movemento Such observers sha: have the right to submit proposals which may be voted upon at the request of any member of the Commissiono The Commission shall defray all travel and othE related expenses of representatives of the national liberation movements invi· ed to attend such proceedings. 11

183rd meeting, 28 February 1975. - 87 -

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 320l(S-VI) and 3202(S-VI) of l May 1974 id Economic cmd Social Council resolutions l896(LVII) of l August 1974 and l9ll(LVII) f 2 August 1974 concerning the :Declaration and the Pro~ramme of Action on the stablishment of a New International Economic Order,

Recalling the declarations and programmes of action adopted by the Fourth )nfer~~ce or-Heads of State or Government of Non-aligned Countries~ held.at Lgiers in September 1973 and by the Conference of Developing Countries on Raw 1terials 2/ held at Dakar in February 1975,

Convi~ced of the structural and functional inadequacies which hinder the )rmulation, promotion and implementation of agricultural and industrial projects :1 Africa,

2onvincej._)~'~ther that a consistent and integrated development effort should ~ m2de 7 including concrete projects to develop agriculture to its greatest potential :1d to promote industrialization based on local processing of mineral and agricultural ~sources,

Notin~ that efforts are being made for the organization and financing of similar ojects by United Nations agencies in other regions of the world,

~war~ that it is basically the responsibility of the African countries themselves overcome their econom~c and social under-development by mobilizing all their sources and potential and exploiting them for the benefit of their own people,

~ognizing that foreign aid and technical assistance do not in themselves nstitute a basis for promoting autonomous growth or diversification,

~e~~t~jrm~ the full and permanent sovereignty of all States over their tural resources and all economic activities and recalling that, in order to feguard such resources, States have the right to exercise effective control er them and over their exploitation by means appropriate to their economic "tuation, including the right to nationalize or transfer ownership to their ~.tionals, this right being an expression of the full and permanent sovereignty :r' States, and that no State may be subjected to economic, political or any other oercion aimed at preventing the free and full exercise of this i.nalienable right 1

~e~?O~i~~~ that sovereignty and control over natural resources require the istence of the skills required for prospecting, evalue.. ting and exploiting them d that industrialization implies the processing of natural resources into semi­ ~·nished and finished products, - 88 -

Bearing in mind the functions entrusted to the Econcmic Commission for Africa in its't-~-:;;y;s-oT·~·;-;;ence §/and convinced of the need to increase the Commission's capacity to take action so as to enL',ble it to ma..ke an effective contribution to the establishment of the new international economic order,

Convinced of the need to take urgent and p~.rticularly effective measures to implem~-~ th;~Prograrr~e of Action as soon as possible,

l. ~~j~ the Executive Secretary, as a matter of priority, to take immediat steps to institute action-orientated programmes for the realization of the followL.g objectives :

Eat~al reso~~s

(a) The removal of all forms of constraint to the exercise by African countrie of permanent sovereignty over their natural resourcesi

(b) The prfmotion of collective self-reliance among African countries in respect of the recovery, exploration, development, marketing and distribution of their natural resourcesi

(c) The provision of the necessary technical assistance to help African countries in nationalizing and taking control of their means of production and exploitation;

(l) The use of the services of African experts to the maximum possible extent;

(e) The re-orientation of the programme of work of the Commission in the fielc of technical assistance so that it will be focused on training of personnel, especially in the industrial field;

(f) The promotion of the processing of raw materials in African producer countries;

(g) The promotion of direct trade among African countries which are producers of primary products in their raw and processed forms;

(h) The establishment and further development of African raw material produceJ marketing, and transport associations, and the strengthening of their action with a view to enabling them to adopt a common front and to improve their bargaining power;

(i) The setting up of a council for consultation and co-operation among the various producers' associations, for the co-ordination of their activities and for mutual support;

(j) The evolution of a just and equitable relationship between the prices of raw materials, primary commodities, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods exported by Afric~n countries and the prices of raw materials, primary commodities, food, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods and capital equipment imported by them, and the establishment of a link between the prices of exports of African countries and the prices of their imports from developed countries;

§} E/CN.l4/lll/Rev.5. - 89 -

~J?:.e~ Jl.E.~~)-~_w

!n.2:._u_stri~lj.zatt.,

(1) The establishment of agencies for the promotion of investment and industrial zones in all African countries, with a view to assisting in, and encouraging, the establishment of small-scale and medium-scale projects for the processing of raw materials and encouraging the creation of greater employment possibilitiesi

(m) The provision of assistance to African countries, at the earliest possible opportunity, in creating means of communication capable of accelerating regional integration in Africa;

(n) The establishment of institutions on a national, multinational or regional basis, as appropriate, designed to accelerate the economic and social development of the region, and in particular :

(i) centres for the study and promotion of industrial and technological innovation;

(ii) training and consul tancy centres for industrial pr-ojects, promotion, formulation 7 .evaluation and implementation;

(iii) centres to promote the establislnoont at regional level of specific industries of economic importance to Africai

(iv) centres for the promotion and establishment of effective co-operation in the fields of indust1y, science and technology, transport, shipping, mass communication media, etc.;

(o) The carrying out of studies of certain primary products or groups of primary products of particular interest to Africa, with a view to formulating strategies which take into account policies and measures applied in relation to each of these products at various levels, from raw materials prospecting and production, through processing, to marketing and final distribution;

(p) The presentation to the Governments of member States ~n advance of the seventh special session of the General Assembly of reports on the three groups of I primary products specially selected for the study namely, palm oil products,

I phosphates and potash, in the wider framework of fertilizers, and iron ore;

Mone~arL_

(q) The channelling of existing avail2..ble finance in Africa and the third world for the rapid economic and social development of African countries and the countries of the third world;

(r) The full and effective p8.rticipation of African countries in all phases of decision-taking for the formulation of an equi-~able and durable international monetary system in the light of the new international economic order; - 90-

(s) Arrancsements to facilitate the flovl o:c development financing or con­ cessionary terms tc African countries from tbe :i.:aternationEJ,l financing agencies, including the allocation of additional speci2-l drawing ric;hts;

( t) The promotion, establishment or strengthening of economic integration at the subregional level; and

(u) The promotion of economic and technical co-operation among developing countries;

2. Invites the Executive Secretary to consult and co-operate with the Organizat':CQ";~f"African Unity, the United Nations Conference on Trade and :Develop­ ment, the United Nations :Development Programme, the United Nations Industrial

:Development Orgapization 1 the International Labour Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Association of African Central Banks,. the Association of African Universities, bilateral agencies and other organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system as appropriate, and member States of the Commission, with a view not only to securing the necessary expertise and finance but also to minimizing duplication of effort;

3. Requests all the organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations syst;;1-; provide as a matter of urgency all necessary financial, material and other support to the Economic Commission for Africa in the implementation of the present resolution;

4· Urges the organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system, especially the United Nations Conference on Trade and :Development, the United Nations Industrial :Development Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, international financial institutions and specialized bodies responsible for certain primary products, to make an effective contribution as soon as possible to the implementation of the present resolution i'Ji thin the framework of the implementation of the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order; 1/

5· fi'~urtl~L_~re~~s_t~ the Executive Secretary to take the measures needed

(a) To ensure that henceforth the activities of the subregional offices of the Commission are brought into the framework mentioned herein;

(b) To secure for the subregional offices of the Commission extra material and personnel resources to enable them to carry out their mission on the basis of the unified approach to development adopted by the Economic Commission for Africa and the various organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system;

1/ General Assembly resolution 3202(S-VI). - 91 -

(c) 'I'o or.::;anize meetinc;s of ]hnisters at the sulJregionCLl level to follow-up the application of t~1e :OecLcration CLnd the Programme of Action on the Establisi1ment

of a New Interne.tional Economic Order;.?/ tbe recl::1ration7 the Programme o:f Action . and the resolutions adopted by the Conference of Levcloping Countries on Raw

'1 M,;.-,_terials 9) held at Tiakar in Februc.ry 1975 7 and tl1e programme of work .:.r..d the I medium-t.erm plan of the Commissioni.:J2}

1 6. ~1.equests the Government of member States to co-operate with the Executive Secretary~f; his~-·efforts to put into effect the provisions of the present resolutioni

7. ~~~~

!_a,dcinP-;_E:,9.,:!;2. of decision 5l(LVII) of the Economic and Social Council concerning the report of the Joint Inspection Unit on the capacity of the regional economic commissions for a urified approach to development~ ll/

Having taken note of the report of the Conference of African Planners on it s-~:fi:ft~'~s:C;n~-I?/

~esi_l?. the Conference of African Planners at its sixth session to consider the question of a m1ified approach to development and to submit to it the necessary recommendations to enable it to take measures, as appropriate,to ensure that the orientation of ECA is consistent with a unified approach to development under African conditions.

I ._, __ ~~-~--

IQ! General Assembly resolutions 320l(S-VI) and 3202(S-VI). 2./ E/AC.62/6 llQ/ See Volume II of this report • .ll) E/5430. 11J E/CN.l4/626 - 92 -

258(XII). ,co-:-_op~.e~.:t.i2A.~-e~t_w_ee_r~ _t]1:._~.£~c-~n_.?_l!1_i.C?~Qo_EUniE_Eli?_n for Africa . and the United Nations Develorment Progamme

~§.,_yi_n£__con_&~~r~£ the relevant sections of the reports of the Chairman of the Executive Committee and of its Executive Secretary on co-operation between ECA and UNDP,

Having heard the statement by the Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa on recent-trends in co-operation between UNDP and EGA and on. the prospects for such co-operation in future,

l. C

2. Notes with satisfaction the arrangements made between the secretariats of the two organizations to ensure that such co-operation is as fruitful and as effective as possible;

3. Expresses the wish that appropriate action be taken to strengthen and develop tbi;=~eration further in future.

fAe~C~.~ftr,e_n_sf!l__ oJ J1inj. ~~-e£}~,, ~EE~exa~i-~d the report on staff ar.d administrative questions !J/ submitted by the Executive Committee :!TL conformity with paragraph 5 of resolution 242(XI) of 23 February 197 3,

~1!~~~ of the importance of administrative management and organization for .. the efficiency of the secretariat,

~e~~l~}_nA the many appeals to the United Nations Secretary-General to

reme~ the persistent recruitment difficulties facing the secretariat 1

C~~i~ering that, notwithstanding the limited progress made since the adoption of General Assembly resolution 2736(XXV) of 17 December 1970 and, in particular, of paragraph 2(a) thereof, a large number of posts in the professional category are still vacant owing to a restrictive interpretation of that resolution,

l. 9~EE!at~l~1~~ the Executive Secretary on the progress so far made in the Africani~ation of the secretariat;

. D) E/CN.l4/634· - 93 -

2. Renews its appeal to the Secretarv-Generc:.l to exercise greater flexibility in the app-licati~p-;;:;graph 2(a) of Ge~er,1.l 1->.ssembly resolution 2736(xr:r) so that, when vacant posts cannot be filled by nationals of under-represented Afri~on countries, such posts may be occupied by nationals of over-represented countries in the reGion on the basis of fixed-term contracts, on the understanding that under­ represented States must express in writing that they find it impossible to fill any given high-level posti

3 •..B..~,SLU..e_Et~, the Secretary-General to give preference to Africans in filling posts, particularly high-level posts of responsibility, in the ECA secretariat;

4. R~~~s1_~ the Executive Secretary of the Commission to see that young African recruits effectively participate in study missions and groups as counter­ parts of non-African experts;

5. ~ppeals·oEa~~ more to all member States, particularly those which are under-represented, to make qualified and experienced staff available to the Commission to assist in achieving an equitable distribution of posts in the secretariat at both the national and the subr0~~c"-al levels.

The Conference of Ministers ·-~~~----~-~~-~- .. -~·-~--~-- ~~---~'

92-~id_eLt.¥ the trend of the intern~.tional economic situation towards the per;:etuation of unequal economic relations, imperialist domination, neo-colonialist exploitation and a failure to find solutions to the basic }I'Oblems of developing countries, in particular of African countries,

Considering that the African countries are all determined to take joint action.'t;-{~the""; those of their economic relations which have cle,ared the wcy for developing countries to emerge from their position of dependence on imperialism,

Q..o_n~inced., that the only w.1y for African countries to obtain their complete economic emancipation is by recovery and control of their natural wealth and resources and of the means for their economic development so as to ensure the economic, social and cultural progress of their people,

f~~~jde~i~ that at present raw materials have an importance which is unprecedented in history since they melee up the general framework of the cla.iming procedure being followed by the oil-producing countries in their struggle for fairer conditions for all raw-materials-producing countries, RecogniJiEg that the negotiations between industrialized and developing countries to which this procedure should lead must therefore be full negotiations covering the entire problem of raw materials and taking account of the interests of all developing countries, without any hint or threat of political, economic or - 94-

military pressure likely to limit freedom of dialigo.e a,nd action or to restrict the full exercise of the rights of the developing countries and of the developing coun­ tries of Africa, in particular,

Mindful of the basic need to consolidate the uni·ty and solicari ty of the African countries and to prevent any action aimed at dividing them,

Determined to achieve the economic decolonization of the entire continent, as is essential for the complete liberation of African countries from foreign economic domination and multinational companies,

Reaffirming that producer-exporter associations, which are vital elements in the national commodities policies of developing countries, should be responsible for the co-ordination of production, research, development and marketing so as to protect their income, strengthen their market position, stand up successfully to the well­ organized buyers of the industrial countries and guarantee fair and remunerative prices for their commodity exports 1 ·

Recalling the declarations . arrl the programmes ·of action adoptably the fourth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-aligned Countries, 12/ the sixth special session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Dakar Conferer!ce on Raw Materials, 1§/ and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States adopted at the twenty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly, !1/

lo Decides: (a) That because of the special importance for African countries of the setting up of a special fund for financing regulating stocks of their export commodities, the Executive Secretary of the ~CA should actively follow up, and closely co-operate in the implementa.tion of the corresponding resolution adopted at Dakar; 1§./ (b) That ECA should give maximum assistance to African countries in the prepara­ tion of negotiations between industrial and developing countries concerning raw­ .material and development problems on the basis of a unified approach, having regard to the close relationship between monetary, trade, financial, scie~tific and techni­ cal co-operation and other problems; (c) That ECA should actively participate in the work of the Intergovernmental Group of Developing Countries on Commodities; (d) That ECA should take the following action under its programme of work for 1974/1975 in accordance 1o1·i th a strict timetable and in close co-operation with its Executive Committee:

(i) The organization of meetings among African countries which are producers and exporters of the same commodities with a view to setting up or consolidating appropriate producer-exporter associationsi

(ii) Active participation in the setting up of similar associations elsewhere in the third vJorldi

"};2/ A/9330G 1§_/ E/ACo62/6 17/ General Assembly resolution 328l(XXIX)o 1.§} E/AC~ 62/6/Res. 4o - 95 -

(iii) The creation of e,n Africc:.n consultative and co-ordinc:-ting board of associ~tions of producers ~nQ exporters of raw materials and agricul­ tural products:

(iv) Participation in the setting up bf board of groups of developing countries producing and exporting rGw materials decided on by the Dakar Conference;

(e) That ECA should keep a continuous watch on the prices of goods Emd services exported and imported by African countries, p.:,rticularly the prices of · food and industrial goods and services imported from developed countries, and on the development of ti:le monetary situation with a view to providing effective help to African countries in the implementation of policies for guaranteeing a steady improvement in their terms of trade by, among other things, helping to devise and apply an indexing system in close co-operation with UNC~D;

(f) That ECA should co-operate with the competent African and Afro-Arab agencies and with agencies of the non-aligned countries and developing countries in preparing and implementing economic, financial and technical co-operation programmes benefiting African countries through action for the domestic processing of their natural resources in accordance with the decisions adopted by the Group of Seventy-Seven in February 1975; ~

(g) That EGA should prepare a study on the size and function of non-African undertakings engaged in producing, mco.rketing and investment-financing activities in African economies and participate actively in devising a code of behaviour governing multinational activities;

(h) That member States of ECA should jointly and actively support any country exercising its sovereignty over its natural resources in accordance with the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly and with the provisions of the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States adopted by the twenty-ninth session of the General Assembly £Q/ and any country subjected to political pressure or economic or other forms of aggression in connexion with the exercise of its right to determine the exportprices of its products;

(i) That ECA should prepare a study on the overall food shortage of the African countries with a view to encouraging the formulation of a development policy for agriculture and food in accordance W·ith the decisions of the World Food Conference ~ and a policy for the co-ordinated shipment of supplies to African countries short of food within the framework of international commodity agreements or by taking advantage of complementarity with othlll'r regions of the world;

"f2J' E/AC.62/4• .~General Assembly resolution 328l(XXIX) • .?1/ E/5587 and Add. 1-4· - ::JO -

(~) That ECA should devise ~ progr~mme of effective ~ction to help the least developed ::md the land-locked and iBland Africc:.n countries7

(k) ThRt ECA should continue its active assist~mce to African countries

(i) In co-operation with UNCTAD in connexion with the adoption and implementation of the inteerdted ~lobal commodity programme;

(ii) Within the framework of multilateral trade negotiationsi

2. l?-equests. the Executive Secretary of.ECA to co-operate closely with OA.U in the implementation of this resolution.

Recallin~ ECA resolutions 205(IX) of 14 February 1969 and 238(XI) of 22 Feb~3 1 which recommended inter alia, that member States should, on a multinational basis, establish mineral resources institutions to carry out specialized services, research and training,

Recalling further Economic and Social Council resolution 1673(LII) of 2 June 1972, which recognized the importance of training and applied research in stimula­ ting natural resources development and recommended the establishment of applied research centres on a regional, subregional or national basis,

Considerin,!:; General Assembly resolution 2626(:XXV) of 24 October 1970 on the International -n;;elopment Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade,

Rec~ll~~ further General Assembly resolutions 3201(8-VI) and 3202(8-VI) of 1 May 197LJ- on the establishment of a New International Economic Order,

Convinced that the development of mineral resources in Africa requires the establishment of multinational centres which will provide specialized services to augment those availc:.ble at the national level and offer on-the-job training,

No~-~n£ with appreciGtion the steps already taken by the Executive Secretary towards the establishment of a mineral resources development centre for Eastern .\frica,

~~~JE££ the intention expressed in the Work Programme of the Commission~ to establish such centres in other subregions, '

~ See Volume II of this report. - 97-'

1. Requests the Executive Secretary to take all necessary steps to ensure the establishment of such centres as soon as possible;

2. Urges the Governments of member States to participate fully in the establisl. ment and ~unning of such centres;

3o Requests United Nations agencies and bilateral donors to give such assis­ tance as is necessary for the furtherance of these projects.

183rd meeting, 28 February 1975o

262(XII). Arrangements to promote the development of trade by African countries and particularly of direct intra-African trade

The Conference of Ministers,

Considering the declarations and programmes of action adopted by the Fourth Conference of Heads of State and Government of Non-aligned Countries £J/ and the sixth special session of the united Nations General Assembly,

Considerin~ the Declaration adopted by the tenth session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity,

Considering the decisions of international organizations, including the Uhlted Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in favour of the expansion of inter­ national trade and the economic integration of developing countries,

Recognizing the importance of foreign trade for the economic development of the African continent,

Considering the decision of the Organization of African Unity to promote African trade, in particular direct intra-African trade, notably by means of pan-African fairs,

Having regard to the .complementary nature of the resources and output of the various African countries,

Convinced of the need to harmonize the trade policies of all States members of the Organization of African Unity and of the Economic Commission for Africa,

~~ to eliminate continuing tariff and non-tariff barriers to the develop­ ment of direct intra-African trade,

1. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa:

(a) To mruce a global study of the trade policies of member States;

(b) To prepare a table of complementarities in the output of African countries;

23/ A/9330. - 98 -

(c) To make proposals aimed at acceler2.ting the growth of intr.:t.-Africc::·.n

trade using an integr2.ted O..pl::,roach to trade 1 monetary, fL1ancial 1 tr2nsport and telecommunications matters;

2. Requests the Exeouti ve Secret:1ry of the Economic Commission for Africa to make an active contribution, in close co-operation with "'.;he general secretariat of the Organization of African Unity, to preparations for the Conference of lhnisters of Trade of t·he Organization of African Unity to be held at Algiers in the second quarter of 1975; 3. RequestR the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to follow up _closely the implementation of the resolution of the Dakar Conference of Developing Countries on Raw Materials ~ concerning the establishment of an international trade organization within the United Nations.systemi

4· Recommends that a.ll member States of the Economic Commission for Africa should participate effectively in that general assembly of the Association of African Trade Promotion organizations to be held at Tangier from 21 March to 4 April 1975 and in the Second Pan-African Trade Fair to be held at Algiers in August/September 1976 under the auspices of the Organization of African Unity.

CoLsid~~g_that of a total of 16 African countries included among the least developed countries in the world, 10 are land-locked,

Considerin£ that the geographical position of those countries constitutes a grave obstacle and a serious handicap to the growth of their trade and to their economic and social development, Considering in particular that this situation gives rise to high transport costs, which prevent such countries from exporting their products at competitive prices, and to a steady rise in the price of their imports,

Considering also that the solution of the problems peculiar to the land-locke

countries demands that special measures be taken by regional 1 interregional and interna~ional bodies to aid them,

Recalling resolutions No. 9 on a special programme of action in favour of . the land-locked developing countries adopted by the Conference of Developing Countries on Raw Materials,heldat Dakar in February 1975, ?5./

~ Ejic.62/6 Ros.l5 2fJ/ E/'.C.62/6. - 99 -

l. Invites c:,ll member States and the oom:r:;e-tent inte;rnntional organizations to assist the land-locked developing countries in facilitating, within the framework of appropriate agreements, the exerciH~ of their right of freedom of access to and from the sea;

2. ~ecommends that coastal countries.should facilitate the transit of imports to and exports from the land-locked countriesj

3. Requests the Executive Secretary to work in co-operation with the Governments of the land-locked colli~tries of the region~

(a) To undertake studies identifying the most serious obstacles to their economic developmenti

(b) To determine their needs for financial and technical assistance;

(c) To examine and support interregional projects to develop means of land and air communication which will reduce the isolation of the land-locked countries.

264(XII). ;!2_eserjj.fjca_!io~

~_E.!_..Q_~fere__g£e of.. Ministers,,

Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution l826(LV) of 10 August 1973, in which the Council noted the need for new action to intensify international co­ operation enabling all countries, and in particular the developing countries, to benefit from the achievements of science and technology,

Recalling further section I, paragraph 2(c) of General Assembly resolution 3202(S-VI) of 7 May 1974, laying down a_programme of action on the establishment of a n:iw international economic order including efforts by the inter~1ational community to undertake concrete and speedy measures with a view to arresting desertification and also to assist the developing countries affected by deser­ tification to develop the affected zones,

Noting with satisfaction the relevant de cj_sions of the Governing Council of the-u~TtTd.Natio'iis "JS;i,.7fO"':P;ent Programme concerning the need to undertake in­ depth studies on the extent of the drought in Africa and draw up corresponding action programmes,

Concerned by the drought now affecting some parts of Africa, which in'-Y well extend to other parts of the continent, and determined to laL<.nch a large-scale attack on it at the level of the United Nations system,

:.J.C?_l}'lffiendin,g; the efforts of the international community to combat the effects of the drought, - 100-

; l. Ure:es the international community to seek radical solutions to the problem of drought with a view to its final eradication;

2. ~eguests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to take all suitable steps to organize, in co-operation with interested Government technical meetings at the regional and subregional levels to prepare for the Unit Nations Conference on Desertification to be held in 1977;

3. Further reguests the Executive Secretar,y to gather, for use of the above­ mentioned technical meetings, all available ·data on desertification in general and on its manifestations in Africa in partic~ar.

l83rd meetir.!g, 28 February 1975.

265(XII). !Jse of solar energy in African countries

The Conference of Ministers,

Considering the relative shortage of energy sources in Africa and particularl; in the countries of the Sahe.l;

Considering that the exploitation of existing energy potential, notably from water courses, calls for very large investment, the financing of which demands numerous initiatives on the part of countries without adequate financial resources,

Noting the existence of solar energy and the progress made in experiments carried out in Sahelian Africa, in North Africa and outside Africa to mobilize solar energy to serve development,

Considering that the exploitation of solar energy can contribute to the qualitative and quantitative transformation of the urban and rural economies of the Sahelian areas, in particular through the use of solar-energy pumps for raising water from wells,

Considerin,~ the just anxiety of the Sahelian countries to use solar energy for their development, and in view of the progress made by some of those countries in solar energy research and experimentation,

1. Recommends that the Executive Secretar,y should undertruce any action needed to ensure that use is made of the results of solar energy research to benefit the development of African countries, particularly those in the Sahelian zone;

2. ~guest~ the Executive Secretar,y to do all in his power to provide maximum possible assistance to any African country or group of countries which have under­ taken solar energy research, experimentation or exploitation and which request such assistance;

3. Further recownends that the Executive Secretary should support the efforts of existing or future institutions in Afric~ and should help them to secure the financing required for solar energy research, experimentation or exploitation; - 101 -

4. Further requests the Executive Secretary to follow closely developments in ~ll matters relating to the use of sol~r energy in Africa, and to report to it at its forthcoming meetings.

]-84th mee~ing- 7 28 February 1975·

Taking note of resolution No. l adopted by the Executive Committee at its tenth meeting§;§)' inviting the Executive Secretary, in close co-operation with

OA.U and FA0 1 to outline an African long-term Food Development Pl:3.. n 7

Not~Ell~}JE~Yrova~ General Assembly resolution 3348(XXIX) of 17 December 1974 establishing the World Food Council and paragraph 4(f) of resolution XXII adopted by the World Food Conference, which provides that the Council should work in full co-operation with regional bodies to formulate and follow up policies approved by the Council 1

RecallinR the OA.U Council of Ministers resolution on the establishment of an African Ministerial Committee composed of national. l'Iinisters of Agriculture to be jointly serviced by the secretariats of OA.U 7 EGA and FAO and to serve as a regional arm of the World Food. Council and on the establishment of a working party for the purpose of carrying out studies on the scope and functions of the proposed Ministerial Committee and on its terms of reference and to submit a comprehensive report on its findings to the Administrative Secretary-General of OAU,

~oting with great concern the poor performance of the 2.~ricul turRl see;-our· in Africa over the past years,

..:.._~~ of the scientific advances which make it possible to increase food and agricultur~l production in Africa substantially,

Also aware of the rich agricultural potential of Afric<: which is largely unexploited or ~derexploited, ·

~ecognizing the commendable efforts of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other multinational and bilateral agencies to increase food production in Africa,

B~lievinA that most of the problems involved in rapidly increasing food production in Africa are peculif'.r to the region and require new initiative, on­ the-spot 7 co-ordinated and suste:'..ined action and joint ende<:1vours among the Afri 0::111 countries,

?:2} E/CN.l4/608. - 102 -

~P£ 'tJi th s;::;,tisfaction the decision by the l{orld Food Conference'-.:21 to establish o. special fund for the development of agricultural ;.;.nd food production,

l. Fully support~ the action being taken by OAU to establish a Ministerial Committee on Foodi

2. Calls Ol}; the Executive Secretary to ensure that the ECA secretaria.t participates fully in the proposed working party for preparing the terms of

reference for the Inter-Ministerial Committee and studying the orc;aniza.tional 7 proceduT~l and other det~ils relating to the establishment of the Committee;

3. Recommends that ECA should contribute to the establishment of a joint ECA/FAO/OAU secretari~t to service the Ministerial Committee and to follow closely the application of the measures adopted at.the World Food Conference and the establishment and functioning of the special fund for the development of agricultural and food production to the benefit of African countries;

4. Reguests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to make such additional funds available as may be necessary for ECA to make an effective contribution to servicin~ the Ministerial Committee.

183rd meeting, 28 February }97).

Recalling Commission resolutions 153(VIII) and 154(VIII) of 24 February 196~ and 203ZIX) of 14 February 1969 7

~..._lling als.~ the :Oeclc.:,ration on Industrialization in Africa adopted. by the Second Conference of African ll~inisters of Industry ?:.§/ held at Cairo in December 1973 and resolution CM/Res 363 adopted by the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of OAU at itseleventh sessionheldat Mogadiscio in Ju.."le 1974 endorsint the Declaration and in particular expressing full support for the recommendation to establish an African Mineral Development Council and the a.doption of the intra­ African multinational enterprise approach to speed up the process of multinationaJ industrialization,

Noting with apprecic;;,tion the efforts of the Follow-up Committee on Indus­ trialization in Africa to keep under constant review and to promote the implemen­ tation of the decisions of the biennial Conference of African Ministers of IndustJ

Further noting in this connexion the report and recommendations adopted by the Committee at its first meeting t2J held at Addis Ababa in September 19747

?J)~. W E/CN.l4/613. · ~ E/CN.l4/INR/2ll. - 103 -

Bearing in mind the Declaration and Plan of Action on tr.e FiRtablisr...ment of '-' ew Interna'~lonal Economic Order adopted by the Gener2vl AssAmbly at its si~h :pecial session in resolution 320l(S-VI) 2.-nd 3202(8-VI) of l Mc:.y 1974 and L-1 articular tl1e recommendation calling for a significant rise in the share of .evel.oping countries in world industrial production through a redistribution of xisting world industrial capacity and greater industrial processing of raw m~terials n the developing countries,

Bearing i~pind al~ General Assembly resolutions 2952(XVII) of 14 December 1972, ,087(XXVIII) of 6 December 1973 and 3306(XXIX) of 14 December 1974 on the convening f the Second General Conference of UNIDO at Lima, Peru, in March 1975, and the eclaration and Plan of "1.ction .on Industrial Development and Co-operation adopted y the Group of Seventy-seven ]Q/ which met in Algiers in February 197~ calling pon the Conference to draw up an International Declaration on Industrialization nd a Plan of Action,

Concerned with the general lack of bankable projects due to the small size f national markets, the low purchasing power of Africans and the high cost of ndustrialization in Africa because of small-scale production and the high-irnport ontent of the import-substitute industries so far crec:.ted,

Further concerned with the lack of progress in multinational industrialization .otwithstanding the efforts devoted to promoting and developing the institutions, rocedures and criteria required to achieve such progress,

1 I Having.considered in this respect the progress report on specialization, omplementarity and multinational industrialization in Africa 2!/ prepared by the ecretariat, Convinced that multinational co-operation is the most effective instrument or creating large-scale, import-substitute and export-promoting industries,

No~nJr witE~~e~i~ti~ the efforts of the ECA secretariat and of UNIDO imed at assisting member States to strengthen and improve macainery and procedures or investment promotion and.at disseminating information on African investment portunities and incentive policies,

. ~ncourae;ed by the role played ·by the biennial Conference of Afri cc;,n 1\'[inisters f Industry in defining technical assistance priorities in the field of industry, ~us promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of bilateral and multilateral echnical· assistance delivery,

l. Expres~ its appreciation to the Executive Secretary of ECA, the Adminis­ rative Secretary-General of ~U and the Executive Director of UNIDO for the assis­ ance rendered to member States in the preparatory work and negotiations for the econd General Conference of UNIDO;

Q/ID/Conf. 3/22. ij E/CN.l4/638. - 104-

;:: " :Jrges r[ember Jtates to te :r~~,::\t-;tjALted. u.t the Conference c.:.t tl1e b_ighe$t po::._icy-maldng level in th(~ fieJ_d cf ind;u:rtry .;md 7 acting on the bCl.sis of thA guid.elines set ou-1; in the :DecJ.a.r~1.tion on :;::r;_CLustrialization of the GeGond Gonfere:r;_cf:-l of African ~~inisters of Industry J2} and the recommendations of the first meeting of the li'ollow-up Committee on Industrialization in Africa, 33/to ensure that their views are fully and equitably reflected in the International Declaration on Indus­ trialization and fla.n of Action to be drawn up by the Conference;

3 • .:?.alls upol! the Executive Secretary of ECA and the Executive Director of UNIDO to intensify their efforts aimed at mobilizing the technical and financial assistance needed to implement the plan of action contained in the Declaration on Industrialization c: ::1;-!:ad by the Second Conference of African Ministers of Industry;

4• Request~ the Executive Secretary to initiate consultations with the Executive :Director of UNIDO with a view to identifying and drawing up a prograrr~e for the development of export industries based on natural resources in the framework cf an international redistribution of productive facilities; =· Urges member States to initiate multilateral consultations on multinational industries in accordance with the recommendation of the Second Conference of African Minist~rs of Industry J5} with a view to iden-';ifying projects and countries parti­ cipating in them, designating a host country to undertake investment follow-up action and setting a time schedule for negotiations and implementu,tioni

6. Further urges member States to give high priority to measures aimed at strengt:L1e;;_i-;g ;;-d.deve"loping investment promotion machinery and endorses the establishment of a regional centre for investment promotion and the transfer of technology to foster negotiations with transn~tional companies and to harmonize investment laws and incentives;

7• Regue~~ UNDP to accord high priority to the implementation of the inter­ country projects identified at the first meeting of the Follow-up Committee on Industrialization in Africa; J2}

8. ~lcomes the establishment of a Joint ECA/UNIDO Industry Division within ECA as an essential step towards developing a unified programme in industry in Africa and urges UNIDO to strengthen the resources cf the Division by seconding staff from its headquartersi

9. Commends the Executive Secret3.ry ofECA and the Director-General of FAG for the j-Qi~-programmes they have set up to assist member States in the field of industry and in this connexion calls upon the Executive Secretary to intensify his efforts aimed at securing additional resources for activities in the field of industry from bilateral and multilateral donors,. including the World Bank;

10. F~r re~~ the Executive Secretary to submit a report on progress made in implementing this resolution to the Conference of r.'finisters Llt its fourth session. - 105 -

Recalling Economic and Social Council resolutions 1638(LI) of 30 July 1970~ 323(LVJ of 10 August 1973 and 1900(LVII) of 1 August 1974 on the World Plan of :::tion for ·the Application of Science ond Technology to Development,

Further recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1899(LVII) of Augu;t 1974 in wh~~the Council urged Governments and the organizations )ncerned within.the United Nations system to effect without delay a wide exposure f the World Plan of Action for the Application of Science and Technology to ~velopment and the regional plans,

Reaffirming Commission resolution 248(XI) of 22 February 1973 which, 1ter ;,li,§;,,=;~quested the Executive Secretary to take early action to promote 1ller knowledge of the African Regional Plan and to assist the Governments of lmber States, at their request, in setting up machinery for the implementation ~ the African Regional Plan,

Convinced that the African Regional Plan, when implemented, will help to tild a~ str~gfoundation for the development of African scientific and techno­ 'gical potential in the countries of the region,

Endorsing the resolutions adopted by the Intergovernmental Committee of perts for Science and Technology Development in Africa at its first and second etings.l§/ and noting the concern expressed by the Intergovernmental Committee out the need to strengthen the Science and Technology Section of the. Commission cretariat,

1. Commends the work accomplished by the Intergovernmental Committee of erts on Science and Technology Development and by the African Regional Group the Advisory Committee on the Application of Science and Technology to velopment (UN&CAST) in connexion with the African Regional Plan for the plication of Science and Technology to Development;

2. Urges Governments to take concrete steps for the implementation of national ogrammes and projects conceived within the framework of the World and the African ans of Action for the Application of Science and Technology to Development;

3. Invites the Governments of member States to keep the Executive Secretary formed on the progress made in the implementation of the African Regional Plan d of any problems and difficulties in this regard;

4. Requests the Executive Secretary to strengthen the staff of the Science d Technology Section and to allocate the funds required for carrying out the rious tasks relcded to the promotion and implementation of the African Regional

United Nations publication, Sales No.: E.73.II.K.3. E/CN.l4/609 and 624. - 106 -

5. Urges the Governments of member States and the Executive Secretary to take conc.~ete~ steps to give wider publicity to the African Regional Plan by conducting intensive campaigns through the use of appropriate mass media and by meetings or seminars on a national and subregional basisj

6. Ther~fore ~~~st~ the Executive Secretary to seek the necessary funds so .tl!at such activities can be initiated as soon as possible;

7. Requests the United Nations DeVelopment Programme to provide, under its preinvest;ent=.pr~gramme, the funds needed to support the measures taken by the Commission for rendering assistance to African countries in the implementation of the African Regional Plan at national and regional or subregional levels;

8. Further requests the Executive Secretary to prepare a progress report on the implei!ie'":rltatlon of- tl;e African Regional Plan and to submit it for consideration by the 99nference of Ministers at its fourth meeting. 183rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 3010(XXVII) of 18 December 1972 and 3342(XXIX) of l7 December 1974, the recommendations J.2/ of the Regional Conference on Education, Vocational Training and Work Opportunities for Girls and Women in Africa held at Rabat in May 1971 and those !J2} of the Regional Seminar for Africa on the Integration of Women in Development, with Special Reference to Population Factors held at Addis Ababa in June 1974,

l. Endorses General Assembly resolution 3275(XXIX) of 10 December 197 4 on International Women's Year;

2o. Invites member States to observe the Year by intensifying their efforts to achieve the full integration of women in the total development effort of Af:ri·can countries;

3. Urges the Governments of member States to pay special attention, in their national development plans, to the potential of women as essential human resources for ~he development effort by providing them, especially in rural areas, with appro­ priate education and training with emphasis on labour-saving technologies and income­ generating activities; by appointing women to positions at the policy-making level; by increasing the number of women in the wage employment sector; and by encouraging the participat,ion of women in all sectors of national life; .

~ E/CN.l4/SW/36. ~ See ST/ESA/SER.B/6 and Add.l. - 107 -

4. Invites member States which have not already done so to establish national commissions or women's bureaux7 or similar Government machinery, to assure the integration of women in national development 9. as recommended b;y the Regional Conference on Education 9 Vocational Training and Work Opportunities for Girls and Women in Africa;

5. Endorses the Commission's plan for the establishment of an African Training and Research Centre for Women to be inaugurated during the International Women's Year as one of the Commission's major activities for the Year;

6. Recommends that the Governments of member States shouid extend their full co-operation and support to the work of the Centre;

7. Urges the Executive Secretary to show his concern for the progress and advancement of women by mrucing a special effort to increase significantly the number of women among the professional staff of the Commission 1 s secretariat.

183rd meeting7 28 February 1975.

~~ Commission resolution l90(IX) of 10 February 1969 on relations with the Organization of African Unity, and in particular paragraphs 3 Emd 4 of that resolution recommending that reports on the activities of the Economic Commission for Africa be presented regularly for the consideration of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity in order that the Commission might enjoy the necessary political support and requesting the secretariats of the Organization of African Unity and the Economic Commission for Africa to pursue all forms of desired co-operation and to find the best ways and means of increasing the efficiency of such co-operation in the interest of the development of Africa and to report regularly to the policy-making bodies of the Economic

Commission for Africa and the Organization of African Unity 9

Acknowledgin,g the role which the Economic Commission for Africa and other bodies of the United Nations system play in the economic and social activities sponsored by the Organization of African Unity,

Recognizing the effective action taken by the ECA/OAU Joint Meeting on Trade and Development in global negotiations in the trade, monetary and financial spheres,

Recognizin,g further the success achieved in establishing the Pan-African Telecommunication r:fe"'twork project jointly sponsored by the Organization of African Unity, the International Telecommunication Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, - 108 -

Aware of the important role which the Commission is expected to play in the implementation of programmes to cope with drought and food shortages in Africa and of schemes for economic co-operation and integration and in the execution of the programme for the construction, maintenance and operation of the network of African highways,

1. Decides to intensify such joint action in order to expedite and render more effective collective action by African countries in economic and social affairs;

2. Requests the Executive Secretary to prepare, in co-operation with the .Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity, for conside~ ration by the Executive Committee at one of its forthcoming meetings and by the competent bodies of the Organization of African Unity, a report on ways and means of making the Conference of Ministers of the Economic Commission for Africa a recognized African ministerial conference for economic and social affairs which will report to the Economic and Social Council and other competent bodies of the United Nations, in keeping with its United Nations mandate, and to the Organization of African Unity.

183rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

27l(XII). ~~

Recalling Commission resolutions 218(X) of 13 February 1971 and 238(XI) of 22 February 1973, and General Assembly resolution 3l78(XXVIII) of 17 December 1973, which requested all concerned to make all necessary efforts to ensure that·the mid­ term review and appraisal of progress in the implementation of the International Development Strategy is prepared and carried out in a co-ordinated and comprehensive manner,

Noting that the review and appraisal exercise can~ot be meaningfully under­ taken unless national reviews and reports are available, and that the review and appraisal exercise at the national level is the crucial and fundamental element of the whole endeavour,

Aware of the many problems encountered byAfrican States in collecting information,

Noting with concern that the response of African member States has so far been quite inadequate, 'thus creating considerable difficulties for international organizations, including ECA, in carrying out the exercise,

L Calls upon all African countries (i) To strengthen their national machinery for review and appraisal of development effortsi

(ii) To prepare on a regular and timely basis reviews of the development and performance of their economies within the framework of their development plansi - 109 -

(iii) To forward such reviews, and any other relevant information, to the Secretary-General and to the ECA Executive Secretary to assist them in their tasks relating to the mid-term review and appraisal and, in particular, to enable ECA to play its appropriate role in this exercise;

2. Requests the ECA secretariat to prepare and distribute ·standard formats for the submission of progress reports by member States.

272(XII). Statistics

Bearin~ in mind the importance of statistical information in the planning of development efforts and in reviewing and appraising the progress of the Second United Nations Development Decade,

No~ing that, although some progress has been made in implementing its resolution 23l(X) of 13 February 1971, important deficiencies in African statistics still exist and there is a continuing need for training statisticians; ·conducting technical meetings, seminars, workshops, etc. and obtaining technical assistance for most other statistical activities,

Concerned by the inadequacy of technical assistance in all fields except demography,

Welcoming the emphasis which both the eighth session of the Conference of African Statisticians W and the .fifth session of the Conference of African Planners ~ placed on making Governments of the region fully aware of the need for basic statistical data and of the resources and organizational arrangements required in producing them,

l. Urg~African Governments, because of the inadequacy of their statistics: (a) To ensure that provision for overcoming the major difficulties is made in their country's UNDP technical assistance programmes; (b) To expedite the implementation of the revised United Nations System of National Accounts (SNA) by directing statistical offices to present national accounts data according to the revised SNA; (c) To mount multipurpose' household surveys for the collection of integrated demographic, social and economic data through the establishment of a field surveys mechanism; (d) To effect closer co-operation between their planning and statistical offices;

2. Recommends

(a) That Governments should endeavour to develop and incorporate in their development plans balanced and well co-ordinated statistical programmes suitable for meeting the requirements of economic and social development in their countries and Ji/ EfCN.l4/6ll. g} E/CN.l4/626. - llO -

provi~ing for the collection of current and basic data, the training of statistical personnel, operational costs for field work; (b) That the United Nations should create for a period of 10 years a single integrated fund for statistical development for use by those countries which have the greatest problems in securing resources to develop their statistical services.

273(XII). Integrated pr~gra~mes o~popu~a~i?~

Recalling General Assembly resolution 22ll(XXI) of 17 December 1966 on population growth and economic development, in which the General Assembly recognized the sovereignty of nations in formulating and promoting their own population policies with due regard to the principle that the size of the family should be the free choice of each individual family and called upon the regional economic commissions to assist, when requested, in further developing and strengthening national and regional facilities for training, research, information and advisory services in the field of population, bearing in mind the different character of population problems in each country and region and the needs arising therefrom,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 2815(XXVI) of 14 December 1971 on the United Nations Fund for Population Activities,

Bearing in mind the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade, contained in General Assembly resolution 2626(XXV) of 24 October 1970, with particular reference to the demographic objectives and policy measures set forth in paragraphs 13 and 65 of the Strategy,

Recalling in that connexion F oonomic and Social Council resolution l672(LII) of 2 June 1972 on population and development, in which all member States of the United Nations were urged to give full attention to their demographic objectives and measures during the biennial review and appraisal of the implementation of the Second United Nations I"evelopment Decade, and to take such steps as might be necessary to improve demographic statistics, research and planning machinery needed for development of population policies and programmes and to co-operate in achieving a substantial reduction of the rate of population growth in those countries which consider that their present rate of growth is too high and in exploring the possibility for the setting of targets for such a reduction in those countries,

Convinced that problems of fast population growth as well as the problem of under-population, among other things, could hamper rapid economic development in certain countries,

Recalling further that in its resolution 230(X) of 13 February 1971, it requested the Executive Secretary to carry out a study of population levels and trends in relation to economic and social development and invited him to speed up the establishment of subregional centres for the training of demographers,

Taking note of the report of the second session of the Conference of African Demographers held in May 1974, !D/

!..V E/CN.l4/625 E/CN.l4/CAD.2/20. - lll -

Noting with satisfaction the establishment and operation of the Regional Institute for Population Studies in Accra and the Institut de formation et de recherche demographiques in Yaounde, the continuation of the Cairo ~emographic . Centre, and the studies undertaken by the secretariat of the Commission on

1 population levels and trends in relation to economic and social development in specific country situations,

Further noting with satisfaction the growing awareness of population problems in Africa as evidenced by the desire of 21 countries of the region, 14 of whom had never carried out a population census, to undertake censuses 1-vi thin the framework of the African Census Programme in the near future,

Considering that the following targets should be accomplished within the next five years :

(a) Complete censuses in all African countries, to be followed by periodical sample surveys on fertility and mortality;

(b) Household sample surveys;

(c) The establishment of standardized systems of civil registration adapted to conditions in Africa;

(d) The establishment in all African countries of reliable, competent and well-equipped services on demographic statistican and analysis and the recruitment of staff for these services,

l. Invites the Executive Secretary to continue the studies on inter- relations of population growth and economic and social development, including a study to define population programmes within the context of other desirable and essential services in such fields as maternal and child health, community develop­ ment, agricultural and rural extension services and urban development, and to study the demographic problems of high fertility and sub-fecundity in those parts of Africa where they exist;

2. Requests the Executive Secretary to t&ce up with the Secretary-General the question of strengthening the population infrastructure of the secretariat of the Commission with finances obtainable from the United Nations Fund for Popule,tion Activities and to take any other action required to implement fully the population programme of the Commission;

3. Requests the Governments of member States to give due attention to the socio-economic conditions of parents and children in Africa and to ensure that family planning becomes, subject to national sovereign rights and priorities, an integral part of development, particularly where maternal and child health services, community and rural extension activities and urban development are concerned;

4· Urges the Governments of member States to support the regional demographic training and research centres at Accra, Yaounde and Cairo and to take full advantage of the training and research facilities available at them.

l8)rd meeting, 28 February 1975. - 112-

274(XII). public admjnistr~n

The Conference of Ministers,

Recallin,g Commission resolutions 172(VIII) of 24 February 1967 and 202(IX) of 14 ~b;u~ry 1969,

:D•:O'lirous to put an end to the different administrative systems prevailing in Africa~;~~=;;sult of colonial administration and to see EGA play an effective rol with a view to achieving African unity and rapid economic development,

Aware of the urgent need to find a satisfactory soluti··m to the problem of the economic and social development of Africa,

lo Invites the Executive Secretary to provide the Public Administration Sect with the structure and personnel needed to evolve and carry out programmes suitabl for promoting the concept and practice of development administration in African cou..>J.t rie s i

2. Requests the Executive Secretary to given priority to training and in­ service training programmes for policy-making public officials;

3. Urges the Executive Secretary to prepare a plan aimed at harmonizing the methods of administrative training in member States andy as a first step, to conve a meeting of those responsible for administrative training in member States with a view to working out how this objective could best be achieved;

4o Appeals to UNESCO and CAF~D to co-operate fully with ECA in translating this objective into practical reality by establishing training programmes designed to meet the development needs of the member States of the Commission;

5. Recommends to member States an increase in their contribution to CAFRAD with a view to enabling it to extend its research activities in the field of administration ancl to train African personnel in the light of African realities and co nee rns;

6. Ur,ges African Governments that have not yet done so to accede to membersh in CAFRAD with a view to deriving greater benefit from its training services of that Centre in the field of administration.

~1:-8.;_:.3-.rd.;.;.....-,m;.;;;e...;;;e..;;.t..:::;i~n:c.g, 28 Feb.ruary 1975.

275(XII). ~frican road network plan

The Conference of Ministers 1

Recallin,g Commission resolution 103(VI) of 29 February 1964 on international roads,

Notin,g the report of the Executive Secretary on activities relating to the development of international highways in Africa, ~ - 113 -

Noting further that the African road system consists of a large number of connected national road systems, with the result that many African countries ave no,raod links with their neighbours,

Recognizing that a well-planned African road network is essential for the mplementation of multinational development programmes in Africa,

1. Requests the Executive Secretary to prepare a preliminary road network lan for Africa as a whole, taking into account combined transport;

2. Urges the Governments of member States to provide the Executive Secretary ith all the information and background material he may need to prepare this plan;

3. Invites bilateral and multilateral agencies to give assistance to the xecutive Secretary in the preparation of the plan;

I 1 4. Further requests the Executive Secretary to submit to the Conference of inisters at its fourth meeting a progress report on the development of an African oad network plan.

l83rd meeting, 28 February 197).

276(XII). Regulations _£_elating .i9 road tr_eight transport

The Conference of Ministers,

Noting the fundamental importance of road freight transport for developing rade among African countries,

Aware of the potential technical and political problems of unregulated road reight transport,

Recalling the United Nations Conventions oh Road Traffi~ and on Read igns and Signals,~

Recognizing that a well planned inter-State road freight industry is ssential to the development of Africa,

l. Requests the Executive Secretary to initiate a study on current inter­ :tate road freight transport regulations and controls in Africa and to make· ·ecommendations for their harmonization and simplification;

2. Requests the Governments of member States to provide the Executive iecretary with all the information and assistance required for the preparation 1f the study;

I 3. Further requests the Executive Secretary to submit his recommendations o the Executive Committee at one ofits forthcoming meetings.

183rd meeting, 28 February 197).

E/Conf.56/16/Revol. E/Conf~56/17/Reval. -114 -

277(XII). Air transport

The Conference of Ministers,

Recognizing the growing role of air transport in the movement of cargo in international trade;

Aware of the possibilities of promoting intra-African and inter-regional trade through the development of air freight services and human contacts in Africa

Taking note of the current study by the secretariat on air freight potential in developing countries in Africa and of preliminary proposals which could lead to the establishment of an African multinational freight airline,

l. Requests the Executive Secretary, with the co-operation of the Organizati of African Unity and the African Civil Aviation ccmmission, to study the feasibili of establishing an African multinational airlinei

2. Calls upon the Governments of member States to give assistance to the Executive Secretary for the implementation of these studies;

3. Further requests the Executive Secretary to report to the Executive Committee at one of its forthcoming meetings on progress in the implementation of this resolution~

l83rd meeting, 28 February 197~.

278(XII). fan~African telecommunications network

The Conference of Ministers,

Reiterating its view that 7 in the design of an intraregional economic system, due attention must be paid to the important role of telecommunications as a tool for accelerating economic and social development,

Recalling OAU Council of l\ainisters resolution CM/Res. 309(XXI) 7 adopted in May 1973 and subsequently endorsed by the Assembly of Heads of State and Governmer, of the Organization of African Unity at its tenth meeting, which calls on the Organization of African Unity, the African Development Bank, the International Telecommunication Union and the Economic Commission for Africa to co-operate in the implementation of the Pan-African Telecommunication Network project,

Noting with satisfaction that, through the efforts of the Co-ordinating Committee of the four organizations and of the Governments participating in this regional project, funds for the major part of the project are assured from bilater and multilateral sources; that efforts are continuing to obtain funds for the othe sectors of the Network and that a number of countries involved in the project have already embarked on the implementation of their national segments of the Network, 115-

Commending the action taken by the Co-ordinating Committee to ensure effective technical and financial co-ordination of the project and the close co-operation among the Commission, the Organization of African Unity, the African Development J3ank and the International Telecommunication Union to promote the harmonious development of essential telecommunications services in Africa,

Welcoming the support of bilateral and multilateral financing agencies for the Pan-African Telecommunications Network,

Recognizing thc:·t the Pan-African Telecommunications Network project, although a ~ajor project, is only an initial step towards the development of an efficient and modern telecommunications network within Africa,

l. Strongly urges :

(a) The Co-ordinating Committee to continue its efforts to explore and mobilize all possible sources of financing for all the sectors of the Pan-African Telecommunications Networki

(b) The Governments of member States participating in the Pan-African Telecommunications Network project to co-operate with the Co-ordinating Committee so as to ensure that the technical specifications of the various. national sectors are compatible and to issue tenders jointly in order to ensure such compatibility and to obtain economic prices;

2. F..ea~1ests the Executive Secretary :

(a) To take immediate steps, in co-operation with the Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity and the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, to arrange for a study on the feasibility of establishing a regional communications satellite system as a complement to the Pan-African Telecommunications Network;

(b) To co-operate with the Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity with a view to the establishment of a regional telecommunication union to co-ordinate the further planning and development of regional telecommunications networks and operations;

3. Invites the Governments of member States to accord the development of all telecommunication services high ·priority in their development plans.

183rd meeting, 28 February 197~.

279(XII). ~~l~communjc~tions trai~~

Considering that the expansion of teleco~munications services and the introduc­ tion of efficient and modern networks depend on the availability of competent and trained manpower,

Considering that the current shortage of competent staff in all telecommunications services represents a constraint on the development of telecommunications in Africa, - 116 -

Appreciative of the efforts already made by Governments, with the assistance of the International Telecommunication Union and the United Nations Development· Programme, to establish national and multinational telecommunications institutes for training at the elementary and intermediate levels, ·

Recognizing that the increasing complexity of telecommunications science and organization requires continuous training at all levels, even the relatively more advanced regions of the world, ·

Noting that current telecommunications development plans, notably the Pan­ African Telecommunications Network project, call for training courses in specialized techniques, mEmagement and financial control to be established as a matter of urgency,

l. Requests the Executive Secretary to undertake, as a matter of urgency and in co-operation with the Administrative Secretar,y-General of the Organization of African Unity and the Secretary~General of the International Telecommunication Union, a comprehensive survey designed

(a) To establish basic manpower requirements in the various fields of telecommunications;

(b) To determine regional training needs at the elementary, middle, advanced and instructor levels in relation to existing facilities;

(c) To determine the feasibility of establishment and broadening the scope of regional or subregional institutions for instructor and advanced technical training in new technologies, including space techniques;

2. Calls upon the Executive Secretary to submit periodic progress reports to it on progress in the implementation of the present resolution.

l83rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

280(XII). J:~.em()te =S~?ing_Centre for Africa

The Conference of :Min:k&e..!'.§.,

. Recalling Commission resolutions 33(III) and 34(III) of 17 February 1961 1 l43(VII) of 22 February 1965, l64(VIII) of 24 February 1967, 238(XI) of 22 February 1973 and 239(XI) of 23 February 1973 noting the importance of scientific surveys of Africa's natural resources for development and of training of manpower to enable countries to exploit those resources, and expressing concern over the seriousness of environmental deterioration in Africa, especially in the Sudano-Sahelian zone as a result of drought,

Recalling further General Assembly resolution 3202(S-VI) of l May 1974 on the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, and particularly those of its provisions relating to the transfer of technology to developing countries for the exploration of natural resources, - 117-

Recalling further General Assembly resolutions 2915(XXVII) of 9 November 1972 and· 3182(XXVIII) of 18 December 1973, .which recommended international co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer space and welcomed intern~tional co-operation to bring the benefit of the new technology of· remote sensing by earth satellites to all countrie especially developing countries, to help them to survey their natural resources,

Convinced that the exploration of Africa's natural resources and effective monitoring. of environmental changes could be expedited through the use of remote sensing.by. earth resources satellites,

l. Notes with appreciation the steps already taken by the Executive Secretary towards the establishment of a Remote Sensing Centre in Africa in co-operation with international and bilateral sources_;

2. Decides to establish a Regional International Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Receiving and Data Handling Centre in Africa;

3. Reguests the Executive Secretary to take all necessary steps to ensure the establishment of such a Centre at an early date;

4. Further requests the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity, to invite offers from interested member States wishing to host such a centre.

l83rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

28l(XII}. Satellite broadcasting

The Conference of Ministers,

Recalli~g General Assembly resolution 273~(XXV) of 16 Decemper 1970 concerning the potential of satellite broadcasting systems for education and development,

Taking note of the current experiments in other developing regions and countries to determine the practical exploitation of this potential,

Taking note of the preliminary activities of the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in co-operation with the Economic Commission for Africa and the International Telecommunication Union.

Considering that the magnitude of investment required for any satellite system necessitates for most developing com"tries a multinational or regiona approach,

Recognizing that long-range detailed planning is required to establish such a multinational system and that effective interdisciplinary co-ordinating bodies must be set up at various levels, including the national and regional levels, to conduct studies on the basis of which decisions can be taken on the formulation of a multinational project,

Requests the Executive Secretary, in co-operation with the Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Secretary­ General of the International Telecommun.ication Union : - ll8-

(a) To advise and assist the Governments of member States in the establish­ ment of multidisciplinary working groups at the national level in order to study in detail the possibilities of a multinational satellite system for education, information and public telecommunications and the extent to which such a system can meet national needs; (b) To call regional meeting(s) of representatives of the national working groups, when established, to undertake further studies on a possible multinational satellite system or systems; (c) To organize, with the cc-operation of the Secretary-General o( the Union of National Radio and Televisio~ Organizations of Africa, seminars and workshops on the various aspects of. satellite broadcasting and to study the feasibility of a regional training programme for satellite broadcasting. l83rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

282(XII). Meetings of the Technical Committee of Experts

The Conference of Ministers,

Recalling Commission resolution l88(IX) of 10 February 1969 on the institu­ tional machinery of the Commission,

Having taken note of the reports of the Technical Committee of Experts on its fourth 4iJ and fifth~ meetings, Decides that the Technical Committee of Experts should henceforth meet once every two years three to four months before the session of the Commission, with 7 a view to submitting recommendations to the Conference of Ministers regarding work programmes for the future, taking into account the implementation of past programmes.

l83rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

283(XII). Second General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Develo~ment Organization (UNIDO)

~Conference of Ministers, Considering the Declaration.on Co-operation, Development and Economic Independence adopted at the tenth session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity,

Further considering the Declaration and Action Programme adopted by the Fourth Conference of Heads of State or Government of No~-align(3d Countries !J!l.!,

held at .~.lgiers in September 1973 1

!ilJ' E/CN.l4/602 !±§/ E/CN .14/641. !J3} A/9 330 and Corr. 1. - ll9-

Also considerinp tbe Declaration, Action Programme and resolutions adopted by the Conference of Developing Countries on Raw Materials 22/, held at Dakar in February 1975,

Mindful of the importance of industrial development for the local processing of the natural resources of African countries with a view to the accelerated development of African economies,

Havin~ re~ard to the Declaration and Plan of Action on Industrial Develop­ ment and Co-operation adopted by the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Seventy-seven 21/, held at Algiers from 15 to 18 February 1975,

L Requests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to take all possible measures on behalf of the African countries to ensure the implementation of the decisions and recommendations adopted by the Ministerial Meeting referred to abovei

2. Affirms the importance of the next General Conference of UNIDO to be held from 12 to 26 March 1975 and the determination of the Governments of member States that the Conference achieve successful results in terms of the industrialization of the third world and the establishment of a new international economic order.

183rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

284(XII). G<2_verni~Council of~ the African Institut~ ___fo~_onomic Development and Plannin~

The Conference of Ministers,

Recallin~ the requests of the Conference of African Planners that the terms of appointment of the new members of the Governing Council should be for two years in order to fit in with the biennial sessions of the Conference, that con­ sideration should be given to increasing the number of members of the Governing Council from seven to eight in order that all subregions may have an equal number of seats in the Council and that the Conference of Ministe-rs should validate all elections made to the Governing Council of the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning since 1967 and the activities of such elected members,

L Decides that article IV 7 paragraph 1( c), of the Statute of the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning should be deleted and replaced by- the following :

"Two members elected by the Conference of African Planners on the basis of personal competence and experience in matters connected with the work of the Institute from each subregion of the Economic Commission for Africa and who are nationals of any two of the countries of that sub­ region which are members of the Economic Commission for Africa. Persons elected under this "paragraph shall hold office for two years and shall be eligible for re.:._etection11 ; . ~

52} E/AC.62/6 21/ ID/Conf.3/22. - 120-

2. Further decides that all persons previously elected to the Governing Council by the Conference of African Planners for terms of two years shall be deemed to have been regularly elected to such terms and the validity of previous elections conducted by the Conference of African Planners and the activities of any person elected under such elections as a member of the Governing Council, shall not be affected by reason of the fact that such elections were not for a term of three years.

183rd meeting, 28 February 1975.

285(XII). ~frj~stitute for Economic~v~J~~ and P~anning

~~e of Ministers,

Recalling its resolution 250(XI) of 22 February 1973 on the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning,

Taking note of the achievements of the Institute in its second phase of operations under its current direction in its drive to develop an appropriate approach to the problems of African planning and strategies of development furough its training, research and advisory activities,

Convinced that the Institute should continue to play an even more important role in the planned development of Africa in the years to come,

Conscious that there is a need for the United Nations Development Programme to contribute to the financing of the Institute during its third phase,

1. Expresses its satisfaction with the success achieved by the Institute during the past two years in acquiring additional financial resources amounting to about $700,000, thanks to bilateral and multilateral contributions7

2. Registers with deep appreciation and gratitude :

(a) The recent moves by the Government of Senegal to assure the construction of permanent quarters for the Institute;

(b) The agreement of African Governments to increase their yearly financial contributions to the Institute to a total of $1 million;.

3. Invites the Director of the Institute to intensify his fund-raising efforts to ensure the future of the Institute;

4. Urgently requests the United Nations Development Programme :

(a) To continue its financial.support for the Institute during the forth­ coming third phase, at least at the minimal level of $1 million yearly; - 121 -

(b) To continue to provide the Institute with these facilities in collecting the contributions of the African Governments and other administrative supporting services which it had in the past provided in order to facilitate and enhance the Institute's activities;

5. Further ur.ges African Governments to participate actively and effectively' in the forthcoming evaluation of the Institute to be undertaken by the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations in co-operation with the Economic Commission for Africa with a view to examining the activities and quantifying the requirements of the Institute for the third and subsequent phases;

6. Invites the Director of the lnstitute to expand the activities of the Institute, combining in a balanced manner its three functions of research, training and advisory servicesj

7. Recommends that general training courses on planning should continue to be a permanent element of the programme of the Institutei

8. Invites African countries, in particular those which are members of the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme, to bring the latter to implement paragraph 4 of the present resolutioni

9. Invites the Executive Committee to study the programmes of the Institute and the level of recruitment of trainees and, in the light of the suggestions made by the Conference of African Planners, to take appropriate measures to secure recognition of the training courses and diplomas of the Institute at a suitable level in the administrative and educational systems in Africa.

l83~d meetin.g, 28 February 1975.

The Conference of Ministers,

Recallin.g the provisions of Commission resolutions l30(VII) of 22 February 1965 and 188(IX) of 10 February 1969 and of the terms of rule 1 -(1.) of its rules of procedure, 51) .

Havin.g considered and accepted the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Zaire to hold the thirteenth session of the Commission (fourth meeting of the Conference of Ministers) at Kinshasa,

l. Recommends that the thirteenth session of the Commission (fourth meeting of the Conference of Ministers) be held at Kinshasa in l977i

2o Requests the Executive Secretary to set the exact date Of the session after due consultations with the Government of the Republic of Zalre and the Chairman of the third meeting of -the Conference of Ministers.

l8ird meetin,g, 28 February 1975. - 122 -

The Conference of Ministers,

Fully appreciative of th~ kind invitation of the Government of the Republic of Kenya to hold the third meeting of the Conference of Ministers at Nairobi, Kenya,

l. Convevs its gratitude to His Excellency the President of Kenya and to the Government and people of Kenya for their warm hospitality and the facilities generously place·d at its disposal;

2. Requests the.Executive Secretary to transmit the present resolution to the Goverr~ent of Kenya.

l83rd meetinp;, 28 Februarv 1975.

OTHER DECISION

Election of members of the E~~cutive Committee

512. The Conference decided that the following member States would be elected to serve on the Executive Committee until the next meeting of the Conference of Ministers :

Central African subregion : Burundi, Cameroon, ~abon and Zalre; Eastern African subregion Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius and Zambia; North African subregion : Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Sudan; West African subregion : The Gambia, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Senegal. 123 -

PART IV

RECO~fi.'IENDATIONS FOR ACTION BY THE ECONONIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

513o At its 183rd meeting, the Conference of l1inisters unanimously approved the following draft resolution for submission to the Economic and Social Council for action:

The Economic and Social Council,

1. Takes note of the report of the Economic Commission for Africa for the period 24 F~bruaryl974 to 28 Fel:r1.:.ary 1975 Y and of the recommendations and resolutions contained therein~

2. Endorses the 11edium-Term Plan for the period 1976-1979 contained in the report; ·- ..- --

3. Takes further note of the Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa, 1974, Part I : IIid-term review and appraisal of progress in implementing the International Development Strategy .for the Second United Nations Develo~)ment Decade~ g,/ 4o Decides to amend the terms of reference of the Economic Commission for Africa by adding the following new paragraph between paragraphs 9 and 10 : 2/

"The Commission shall invite any national liberation movement recognized by the Organization of African Unity to send observers to participate in its consideration of any matter of interest to that movement. Such observers shall have the right to submit proposals which may be voted upon at the request of any member of the Commission. The Commission shall defray all travel and other related expenses of representatives of the national liberation movements invited to attend such proceedings. 11

5. Recommend§ that the General Assembly should approve the adoption of • I I Arabic as an official and working language of the Economic Commission for Africa, I in addition to English and French. 4/ I

1/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, fifty-ninth session, Supplement No. 10 (E/5657).

·g/'E/CN.l4/632/PART I.,

J/ Resolution 255(XII)o 4/ Commission Resolution 253(XII).

,... ' - 124 -

-----····------~---~--~------Meeting Document or symbol 1 Body and Cf:f'icers a· session of report;:::;

I1""IEF..GCilJERl\l{;S:NT.tL GO.'lMI'ITEE OJ:!l EY...FERTS ltTR ::.>CIENCE A}.;l) TESHNOLCGY DEVELCPWIENT IN AFRICA · C~a~~: Mohamed Kamel Mahmoud (Egypt) Gecond meeting, Z/CN.l4/624 Addis Ababa, ~Eorte~: F. Mwombela (Tanzania) l 7-19 July 197 4 CONFERENCE OF AFRICAN DEMOGRA.PHJ:I::RS

Chairman: Landing Savane Second session EjCN .14/625 Addis Ababa 6-10 May 1974

CONFERENGB~ OF AFRICAN PLA1'NERS

Chairman: Lionel c. Greene (Sierra Ijeone) Fifth session, E/CN.l4/626 Addis Ababa, 19-28 June 1974

EXECU':2IVE CONIHTIEE

Chairma~: Kwame ~aah (Ghana) Eleventh meeting1 EjCN.l4/578 Addis Ab.aba, and Corr. l J. Nindorera (Burundi) Ra~~: 17-21 June 1974

dhairman: Kwame Baah (Ghana) Twelfth meeting, E/CliJ .14/633 Addis Ababa, ~~orJeur: J. Moussavou (Gabon) 18-22 November 1974

TECHNICAL CCl/IMIT~ OF BXPEB.TS

_QE._airma11.: Mohamed 1. Allouane (Algeria) Fifth meeting, E/CN.l4/64l Addis Ababa, B_apporteur: Mukiria Muturi (Kenya) 17-21 February 1975

~ Copies of reports which are not available through the normal distribution channels at United Nations Headquarters may be obtained from the Regional Commissionf Section of tl1e :Cepartrr.ent of Economic and Social Affairs. - 125 -

LIST Cli' GTEBR MEE'nNGS AW.J TP.AI1'J]\G COlJESES IJ:GLT; lURING '::BE FEE:::CI "Jl\lii:iE l~V:JGVI ·--·---·---.·--·------])ate and place ll-25 March 1974 Nc,tional .ll'forkshop for 'llrainers in Home Econnmics and Musoma, Tanzania other Family~ori~ntated Fields 25 March 3 April Subregional Meeting on Combined Transport Accra b.rrc1ngements (West and Central African c~untries) 26 March- 17 April Workshop on CCP.Cl, Census Tabulation System Addis Ababa

1 3-5 April ] ourth meeting of the Trans-African Highway Lagos Co-ordinating Committee .8-9 April Meeting of the Ad hoc Corrmittee of the Association Addis Ababa of African Trade Promotion Organizations 23-30 April Symposium on Highway Engineering in Africa Addis Ababa 6-8 May Meeting of the Council of Ministers for the Lusaka Eastern and S•uthern Africa UNIAT 13-16 May Regional Consultation Preparatory to the 11orld Addis Ababa Population Conference 3-7 June Regional 8eminar on the Integration of Women in Addis Ababa Development with Special Reference to Population li'actors 4-10 June Conference on Harmonization and Application of Addis Ababa Industrial Property Laws in English-speaking Afrioo.n countries 17-22 June Conference on the EstablishmE:mt of a Port Management Alexandria Associ tion of North Africa 4-5 July J!1 ourth Regional Inter- .gency Co-ordination Meeting Addis Ababa on Population 8-10 July li,ourth meeting of non-United Nations Crganizations Addis ) .. baba Inte:::-ested in FopuL_,tion Programmes in Lfrioa 10-ll July Meeting of Donor Agencies Interested. in the African Addis Ababa Regionstl Plan for the Applicc.1.tion of Science and Technology to Development 15-16 July Ninth Consultative Meeting of the African Regional Addis Ababa Group of the United Nations Advisory Committee on the Application of Science and Technology to Ileve l opment 12 August - 20 September Second EGA/Netherlands-sponsored Long 7c1cation Zaria, Nigeria Instructors Training Workshop - 126 -

._...,_,..._. ______....,._..,. ______·-~------·~-~-----~·------Date ar).d plc::,oe 'Jlitl-3 ·----.... ------· ·---··- -··------·- --.------:.; -· ------. -······--

19-2 3 August Met'lting of Lfd can Cen~us Programme Go~ntry Addis A1aba Experts

2-10 Septerr:ber ~orking Group on the Methodolo~y, Organization Ad.dis Ababa and Content of Household Surveys 3-6 Septerr.ber Meeting to R,eview the Work of the West African Niamey II 'CNI'A'r (Niamey 'CNJ:;J;..T)

9-13 ~Jeptember Second Subregional Workshop on Intern3.tional Co­ Tangier operQtion in ~ural Levelopment in Africc (North African countrie::) ll-13 September Fourth meeting of the Consultative Group on the Addis Ababa African Census ProGramme ll-13 Septerr;ler Meeting to Review the Work of the Centrc:ol l;_frica Yaounde II UNTAT (Yaounde L1\TAT) 16-20 September Meeting on the Establishrr.ent of a 2egionc.tl Centre Nairobi for Services in Surveying and Mapping 23-24 Se:[:tember First meeting of the Follow-up Corr.mittee on Addis Ababa Industrialization in Africa

4-5 November Second meeting of the k~ Committee on the Addis .b.baba Establishment of Institutions for· Training and Improverr.ent in the Field of Power and Water

4 November - S Lecember Itinerant national seminars on National Co~missions Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya on Women and Tevelopment and Lesotho

o-8 Kovember Third meeting between the ~rans-African liighway Addis A'taba ~ureau and Industr~~lized Com"tries . ll-15 I\ovember Meeting of the Expert Group on National Population Addis J<_baba Policies and Programmes in Africa 18-29 November Regional Conference on Training Levelopment: Addis Ababa Exhibition, :Demonstratioi" and 11\"orkshop on ::::r.structional Naterials and Equipment i Gonference for the :B'ormaticn of

. .... ___ ..._... _, _...... _.. .. ·• .... --··· ...... --. -----· ...... ~ ... -·---...... ~-- ..• ____ ... ,.. .. _ ""' ...... _.,_._,_ . .- ...... ,_ ...-...- ...... ~.---···-----.... -..._,_,_..,..,. ___ ------· 'l'i .l;;le

___._.,._._...,,_ •....J,-- ...... ~ .. ..---~- _____ .. __ ..,.__ .. _ ...... ··-~·-- ..-~ •• _.. _ .. _____.., ______. --~------___ ,.._..... ------...... - ..

23 "!:nr::Arr.ber 1974 :,ong Vacation Instruct-.~rs '.i.'ro..ir..ing lri'orksb... p 7 :l!'eltruary 15'75 (~1outhern African countries) ~usaka l }<:4 .:':J.nliary lS75 African Seminar ,..r.. th8 I\iul til",teral ~~1 raicl Ad.d.i s A saba Negotiations

20 ~anuary - 8 Fe.ruary National. Workshop for Trainers and Pl2nndrR in 1 I.,iheria PrrJgrammes to Improve the ~uality of Em· :::.. : :,if.:: 10-27 :B'eburary Nc-.tiona1 Workshop for Trainers 2.nd fh:.nners in Sierra Leone Programme to Iillprove tha ~uality of J.ura1, ~.ife

10-14 Febru:·Ty Working Group l.\~eeting for the Establis:i~ent of an Addis "lc:~."ta East African Mineral Resources Development Centre

24-28 :F'e bruary Third meeting of the Conference c: ~-Tinisters Nairobi

24~28 Fe brUl:l,ry Non-comrni ttal and Confit'.t:ntial Talks amen::; Afri c

A1"'NEX III

Pli13LICATIONS ANT PRINCIPAL DOCUJ"'JENTS ISS"L'ED L'L'RING THE FERIOL UNDER REVIEW

E/CN.l4/578 Report of the eleventh meeting of the Executive Committee E/CN.l4/620 Note on regional structures of the United Nations system in Africa !!i/CN.l4/62l Survey of Economic Conditions in Africa, 1973, Part I E/CN.l4/62l/Summary Summary of the Survey of Economic Conditions in Africa, 1973 E/CN.l4-/622 Report of the Trans-African Highway Co-ordinating Committee on its fourth meeting E/CN.l4/623 and Corr.l Economic :Bulletin for Africa, Vol. X, No. 2 E/CN.l4/624 Report of the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts for Science and Technology Development in Africa E/CN.l4/625 Report of the second session of the Conference of African Demographers E/CN.l4/626 Report of the fifth session of the Conference of African Planners EjCN .14/627 Resources allocated to ECA in 1974 under technical assistance programmes E/CN.l4/629 Co-operation between the Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Development Programme for intercountry programming and multinational projects E/CN.l4/630 Amendments to the terms of reference and to the rules of procedure of the Commission E/CN.l4/63l Progress report on the situation in drought-affected areas in Africa (october 1974) E/CN.l4/632 Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa, 1974, Parts I and II E/CN.l4/632/Summary Summary of the Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa, 197 4 E/CN.l4/633 Report of the twelfth meeting of the Executive Committee E/CN.l4/634 Report of the Exe~utive Committee on staff and administrative questions E/CN.l4/635 and Add.l Implementation of the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order E/CN.l4/636 Progress report on the activities of the Commission (1 September 1973-31 December 1974) E/CN.l4/637 and Corr.l The food situation in Africa and a programme of action E/CN.l4/638 Specialization, complementarity and multinational industria­ lization in Africa - progress report - 129 -

Progress report on the situation in African countries affected by the drought (February_l975) /CN.l4/640 Report of the African Regional Seminar '1n Multilateral Tra,de Negotiations

I /CN.l4/64l Report of the fifth meeting of the TeclLnical Committee of Experts

In addition to the above, the following documents were before the Conference f Ministers at its third meeting

/RES/3l90(XXVIII) Inclusion of Arabic among the official and the working languages of the General Assembly and its Main Committees Addendum to the report of the Commission to the Economic and Social Council 1972-1973 and Add.l and 2 Report of the Joint Inspection Unit on the capacity of the regional economic commissions for a unified approach to development jAG. 6/1.515 Opinion requested from the Legal Counsel regarding the reservations expressed by the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa concerning resolution 242(TI) adopted by the Conference of EGA at its second meeting ~/RES/l892(LVII) Implementation of the J)eclaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations /RES/l896(LVII) Regional Co-operation /RES-;?1911 (LVII) Implementation of the J)eclaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New Intern~tional Economic · Order; mid-term review and appraisal of the Interndional J)evelopment Strategy; special session of the General Assembly devoted to development and international economic co-operation ~/CN.l4/lll/Rev.5 Terms of reference and rules of procedure of the Commission

cjcN.l4/597 Report of the ninth meeting of the Executive Cow~ittee I ~/CN.l4/598/Add.l to 4 Recent decisions of interest to the Commission adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council ~/CN.l4/600 First biennial review of African performance- Second United Nations :Cevelopment J)ecade ~/CN.l4/602 Report of the fourth meeting of the Technical Committee of Experts

~/CN.l4/605 Resources allocated to ECA in 1973 under tec~~ical assistance programmes ~/CN.l4/608 Report of the tenth meeting of the Executive Committee ~/CN.l4/614 and Rev.l Provisional agenda of the third meeting of the Conference - 130-

E/CN.l4/6l4;Rev. 2 Ageridu. 0f the third meetin;; C·f the Conference

11 1 0 E//v" 1~Tel4,! Ir".'/.?l1\J: _ ~'lJ'.J. eot' J.<.m o f mem b ers.o f th e "'.c,xecu t' J.ve vomrr.J.'tt ee E/CN.l4/RB.iS/2l8(Z) Africa.' s Strategy for Development in the 1970s

1 ~,;'c"r.l4~ 1~ 11I:-t.,s.··j238.·.A!J \XT)_ ArrJ.ca' ~ · ' s 0C"!.t nat egy lOr"' T~Jeve 1 opmen t J.n·· th.L e 1970 s E/CN.l4/RE8/242(XI) Report on staff and administrative t;:uestions E/CN.l4/T'.c!:C0/22/Rev.l Progr

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