ECOWAS Commission Strategic Plan
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WITHOUT PICTORIALS Strategic Plan: 2011- 2015 ECOWAS CEDEAO There is nothing we have achieved as a A PROACTIVE MECHANISM region and there is no challenge yet to come, that we can overcome FOR CHANGE without a strategic look into the future through a proactive mechanism of change and strategic planning of goals and objectives. The process is not only defining the strategy, or direction, but also making decisions on resource allocation to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN (2011 – 2015)1 Strategic Plan: 2011- 2015 ECOWAS CEDEAO Document Authorization Document purpose This document describes a coherent short-medium term rolling plan for the implementation of regional programs by ECOWAS Institutions and other stakeholders. It derives directly from the Long-Term Vision of ECOWAS, the ECOWAS Vision 2020. Distribution control Version Number: 1.0 Copyright owner This document is owned by ECOWAS Commission, the front office of ECOWAS Document Authorization Chairman, Council of Ministers of ECOWAS Signature:---------------------------------------------------------------------------- President, ECOWAS Commission Signature:---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Release 2 Strategic Plan: 2011- 2015 ECOWAS CEDEAO Content A Strategic Plan for the future of ECOWAS Acronyms and Abbreviations Foreword Preface Executive Summary 1. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 1.1 Background 1.2 Institution and Policy Development Process 1.3 Institutional Capacity 1.4 Achievements to Date 2. ECOWAS Vision 2020 2.1 Restatement of the ECOWAS Vision 2.2 Mission Statement of ECOWAS Institutions 2.3 Core Values of ECOWAS Institutions 2.4 Co-ordination, Collaboration and Co-operation 3. ECOWAS Strategic Plan 3.1 Purpose of the Regional Strategic Plan 3.2 Ground Rules 4. Situation Analysis 4.1 Internal Environment 4.2 External Environment 5. Strategic Framework 5.1 Strategic Pillars 5.2 Strategic Priorities 5.3 Operational Strategies 6. Implementation and Financing 7. Conclusion Annexes 3 Strategic Plan: 2011- 2015 ECOWAS CEDEAO List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 1. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome/Human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS/HIV) 2. Africa Business Round-Table (ABR) 3. Africa Development Bank (AfDB) 4. Africa Financial Supervisory Authority (WAFSA) 5. Africa Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) 6. Africa Union (AU) 7. African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) 8. Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) 9. Capacity Development Strategy (CDS) 10. Common Market for Easter and Southern African (COMESA) 11. Community Development Program (CDP) 12. Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) 13. Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) 14. Department for International Development (DFID) 15. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) 16. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 17. Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) 18. ECOWAS Agriculture policy (ECOWAP) 19. ECOWAS Bank For Investment Development (EBID) 20. ECOWAS Monetary Co operation Program (EMCP) 21. ECOWAS Trade Liberalization scheme (ETLS) 22. Enterprise Information System (EIS) 23. European Economic Community (EEC) 24. European Union (EU) 25. Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACC) 26. Federation of West African Manufacturers Association (FEWAMA) 27. Federation of women and women Entrepreneurs (ECOWAS-FEBWWE) 28. Global Meltdown Congestion (GMDC) 29. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 30. Information Communication Technology (ICT) 31. International Finance Co-operation (IFC) 32. International Fund Agricultural Development (IFAD) 33. Joint Financial Agreement (JFA) 34. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)) 35. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 37. New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) 38. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 39. Regional Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (RPRSP) 41. Regional Economic Communities (RECs) 4 Strategic Plan: 2011- 2015 ECOWAS CEDEAO 42. Regional Medium-Term Action Area (RMTAA) 43. Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) 44. SWEDISH International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) 45. Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) 46. Technical and Vocational Educational Education and Training (TVEET) 47. Union Economique ET Monetaire Quest Africane (UEMOA) 48. United Nations (UN) 49. United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) 50. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) 51. United Nations Economic Commission of Africa (UNECA) 52. United Nations Educational Scientific, Cultural and Organization (UNESCO) 53. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) 54. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 55. United Nations of West Africa (UNOWA) 56. Unites States Agency of International Development (USAID) 57. West Africa Central Bank (WACB) 58. West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) 59. West Africa Monetary Zoning (WAMZ) 60. West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) 61. West African Currency Board (WACB) 62. West African Power Pool (WAPP) 5 Strategic Plan: 2011- 2015 ECOWAS CEDEAO Foreword A Strategic Plan for the future of ECOWAS On 28 May 1975, 16 West African countries signed a treaty for the creation of the Economic Community of West African States (Treaty of Lagos) with the main aim of promoting co-operation and development in all fields of economic activities in Member States. Initially couched in the context of a gradual progression from a free trade area via a customs union to a common market, the revised treaty of 1993 recognized other challenges and extended the common market programme to incorporate adoption of common economic, socio-political and cultural policies as well as a definitive statement on the creation of a monetary union. A launch of an Economic and Monetary Cooperation Program in 1987 was a logical component of the economic integration scheme and would create a harmonized monetary system through the observance of a set of convergence criteria and the adoption of measures towards the establishment of a common market. Admittedly, a measure of progress has been made, nevertheless, the region has not succeeded in achieving its stated goals of regional economic integration. The passion for territorial identity has failed to give way to pan-territorialism, even up till today. The impact of the union has not been felt by the citizens of the Community. The ECOWAS Vision 2020, which sets the strategic objectives of a borderless region, sustainable development, peace and good governance, and integration into the global market, coupled with a commitment to an ECOWAS of People rather than of States, was adopted in June 2008. This is a recognition of the fact that the region has woken up to the stark reality that external forces such as globalization, rising food and energy prices, as well as financial crises and so on are too strong to ignore and therefore calls for the adoption of a plan of action to cope with them. It is gratifying to note that the Commission is taking these threats seriously and developing a comprehensive and holistic framework to address in the short term and is also instituting a mechanism that would ensure that the response to such threat remains proactive on the longer term. I also note that the Commission recognizes that to meet the demands of the Community in tackling these threats, it must continue to adhere to the Fundamental Principles that have guided the region over the years. Accordingly, the Strategic Plan has been structured and prepared around these Principles. The initiatives that the Commission and its stakeholders believe are necessary to fulfill its objectives are laid out as strategic priorities. These initiatives will require dedicated resources within the new expanded operational structure. In preparing this multi-year Strategic Plan, the Commission is applying best business practices, which allows it to build on its successes and incorporate improvements over time. While the plan will guide the Commission’s planning for the region in the next five years, I sincerely hope it would benefit from periodic reviews, in order to respond better to the dynamics of a changing world and the interests of the region’s diverse constituencies. I commend the Commission and its staff for this initiative and hope that the objectives identified by the Commission and those of the Community coincide in many respects. Ojo Madueke, Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs Nigeria, and Chairman, Council of Ministers of ECOWAS 6 Strategic Plan: 2011- 2015 ECOWAS CEDEAO Preface ECOWAS Institutions fulfils two separate but related mandates within the regional Community. The first is in the area of economic and monetary integration where, the Institutions provide a forum and framework for sustainable economic development and poverty reduction. The second function focuses on political stability and the promotion of regional peace through dialogue and conflict resolution. This provides support for effective political and institutional governance and creates the enabling environment for the implementation of domestic policies. For over three decades, the ECOWAS Institutions have pursued excellence in the delivery of an integrated region, even in turbulent times. However, the path ahead can be less certain without an effective roadmap. This Strategic Plan sets the direction and establishes a strategy for the fulfillment of the ECOWAS Vision 2020. This new master plan builds on the work of the first planning cycle of 2007-2010