In its capacity as the regional arm of the UN, ECA has been assigned the responsibility of coordinating the United Nations support to AU its NEPAD programme at the regional and sub-regional levels. In this regard, the role of ECA aims at facilitating the coordination of the United Nations system-wide support to the implementation of NEPAD and other related African programmes and initiatives at the regional and sub regional levels, using the structures of ECA in the sub regions, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the thematic clusters established under the Regional Coordination Mechanism in support of AU and its NEPAD programme.

 The NEPAD and Regional Integration Division (NRID) is in charge of the NEPAD related issues through its NEPAD Support Section. Among other things, the NEPAD Support Section is responsible for the functioning of the Regional Coordination Mechanism initiated for UN Agencies and organizations operating in Africa to coordinate and improve their support to the AU and its NEPAD programme. The Regional Coordination Mechanism has established nine thematic clusters around the priority areas of NEPAD, to serve as an operational framework for UN regional support to Africa and as a reporting mechanism to the General Assembly. The nine thematic clusters are:

1. Infrastructure development
2. Governance
3. Social and Human Development
4. Environment, Population and Urbanization
5. Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development
6. Science and Technology
7. Advocacy and Communications
8. Peace and Security
9. Industry, Trade and Market Access

Goal

The goal of this knowledge network is to ensure a greater degree of co-ordination in support of AU and its NEPAD programme by:

1. Enhancing the coordination of, and cooperation among, UN agencies in support of AU and its NEPAD programme at the regional and sub regional levels—through the Regional Coordination Mechanism and its clusters;
2. Improving cooperation and coordination between UN agencies and organizations and African regional organizations for an effective implementation of NEPAD related programmes;
3. Strengthening capacities of regional and sub regional organizations in support of NEPAD
4. Increasing advocacy for NEPAD at the regional and sub regional levels

The objective of the network is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of UN support to the AU and its NEPAD programmes through:

• Better preparation of consultation and cluster meetings among UN agencies through focused and agreed upon agenda, schedule of meetings, wider participation etc;
• Continuous follow-up on recommendations and outcomes of meetings;
• Clear focus of normative and operational aspects of the work and activities of the thematic clusters and sub-clusters;
• Facilitation of the involvement and participation of relevant continental organizations in the work of the thematic clusters and sub-clusters

Services

E-Discussion           Consolidated Replies          Expert Database        Documents and Links

                                                                  News and Updates

How to Join

 Contact the Network Facilitator, Helina Tadesse, at helinat@uneca.org