Decision on Africa's Participation in the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference, Doha, Qatar, 9-13 November 2001

CM/Dec.42 (LXXIV)

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DECISION ON AFRICA’ S PARTICIPATION IN THE FOURTH WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE, DOHA, QATAR, 9-13 NOVEMBER 2001

Council:

1. ^NOTES that a High-level Brainstorming Meeting for Africa’s Trade Negotiators was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 26- 29 June, 2001 preparatory to the 4th Ministerial Conference of the WTO scheduled for 9-13 November, in Doha, Qatar;

2. ^{CALLS ON} the forthcoming 4th Ordinary Session of the OAU/AEC Ministers of Trade scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria on 17-21 September, 2001 to review the Conclusions and Recommendations of the High Level Meeting, and provide the necessary political leadership for Africa’s participation in the Doha Ministerial Conference of the WTO, including the designation of Spokespersons to articulate Africa’s interest during the negotiations;

3. ^URGES all African countries, which are members of the WTO, to take the necessary steps to attend the 4^th WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar in November 2001 and maintain their unity and solidarity throughout the negotiations;

4. ^URGES that all identifiable interests of Member States and/or groups of states, should be taken into account for the formulation of a Common African Position for further negotiations;

5. ^INVITES Member States participating in the 4^th WTO Ministerial Conference to be vigilant so that the international negotiations and initiatives for Africa do not undermine the regional integration process and operationalisation of the African Union;