United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

After years of intensive renovations, Africa Hall, the iconic birthplace of the Organization of African Unity is being inaugurated. Commissioned by Emperor Haile Selassie I, the 1961 Arturo Mezzèdimi modernist masterpiece was designed as a place where Africans could meet to deliberate on pressing issues – independence, freedom, development and a brighter future. As the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), it has hosted countless conferences since the 1963 signing of the Charter for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) by the heads of African States and the establishment of the OAU, the precursor to the African Union (AU). The signing of the charter in Africa Hall is regarded as a significant achievement of unity for Africa’s post-colonial history. While attempts to renovate it had started in earnest in prior years with previous Executive Secretaries advocating for funding to rehabilitate its crumbling structures, it was during the 50th anniversary of the ECA, that the initiative for the renovation of Africa Hall as “a monument to African history” was launched in collaboration with UNESCO, the African Union Commission, and the Government of Ethiopia. ECA, with the support of national and international experts, had completed the feasibility study and the concept design in 2014 and the 70th session of the UN General Assembly approved the renovation project, entrusting ECA with the implementation. With an ambitious renovation plan and extensive advocacy among member states, a groundbreaking ceremony amplified its cultural significance as a heritage with tourism potential for Ethiopia, beyond one of the state-of-the-art conferencing venues and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, renovation works pushed on and Africa Hall has slowly emerged into a modern facility, with a new visitors centre and a permanent exhibition, while respecting the architectural and artistic vision of the ‘60s. Voluntary contributions from member states such as Mali and Portugal have helped to enhance the renovation. For instance, Portugal contributed towards the restoration of Ethiopian Maitre, Afework Tekle’s Triptych - an artistic stained-glass masterpiece which stands at the entrance of Africa Hall themed, The Total Liberation of Africa. Commissioned by the late Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Selassie I and inaugurated in 1961, the 150-square meter stained-glass mural encapsulates the challenges, aspirations and future of Africa. Experts hail it as “an extraordinary study on the soul of the continent, which has over the years, grappled with claiming its own destiny.” Additional artistic expressions are housed within Africa Hall, donated primarily by member states. Following the inauguration, there will be side events culminating with United Nations Day on 24 October. For historical images, videos and key moments go to: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eEMcNQsu Watch the inauguration live: https://lnkd.in/ebiBDHRy #AfricaHall #Africa #HaileSelassie #rastafari

🚨 Registration for the 2024 African Economic Conference (AEC 2024) is now open! 🚨 📅 Join us in Gaborone, Botswana, from 23-25 November 2024 for the African Economic Conference (AEC), jointly organized by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). 🔑 Theme: Securing Africa’s Economic Future Amidst Rising Uncertainty This year’s theme highlights opportunities for Africa amidst a shifting global landscape, focusing on four key pillars: 1️⃣ Impacts of global, regional, and national uncertainty on Africa’s development 2️⃣ African strategies to build resilience to emerging shocks 3️⃣ Innovative financing for development in uncertain times 4️⃣ The role of technology in promoting predictability and resilience 📍 Why Attend? The AEC 2024 will review Africa’s experience with recent shocks—such as the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability—and identify strategies to build resilient development pathways. The conference also provides a platform for academics and young researchers to present solutions on how to strengthen Africa’s resilience and meet the SDGs and AU’s Agenda 2063. Register now to be part of these critical discussions! In-person participation 👉 https://lnkd.in/efPWRGbE Online participation 👉 https://lnkd.in/ez_23VNK Media Registration 👉 https://lnkd.in/eNX_QSFz #AEC2024 #AfricaDevelopment #EconomicResilience #Agenda2063 #SDGs

The Inauguration of Africa Hall celebrates the festive reopening of this historic building.  Following extensive renovations, Africa Hall now stands as a modernized yet historically preserved site, reflecting its continued significance in pan-African and global diplomacy, in light of its history as the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) birthplace. 📅 21 October 2024 #Watchlive 👉 https://lnkd.in/ebiBDHRy #AddisAbaba #Ethiopia #Africa #AfricaHall #africaunites #haileselassie

🌍 Did you know? 🌍 Africa Hall has been the permanent headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) since 1961! 🏛️ Inaugurated in 1961, this historic building became the birthplace of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, which later evolved into today's African Union (AU). ✨ Built and donated by Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and designed by Italian architect Arturo Mezzedimi, Africa Hall holds the distinction of being the first United Nations venue in Africa. The building has recently undergone extensive renovations, preserving its legacy while meeting modern international standards. The reopening on 21 October 2024 will be a momentous celebration of Africa Hall's rejuvenation! 🎉 antonio baio #AfricaHall #HaileSelassie #UNECA #AfricanUnion #HistoricLandmark #Africa #Ethiopia #UnitedNations #Renovation #History #architecture #architect

🌍 Inauguration of Africa Hall: A Historic Venue for Africa's Unity and Diplomacy 🌍 The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) will soon be hosting the grand reopening of Africa Hall, a symbol of the continent's remarkable journey towards unity and peace. This iconic venue, which witnessed the signing of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, has undergone extensive renovations mandated by the UN General Assembly to preserve its heritage while bringing it into the modern era. The newly renovated Africa Hall is not only a state-of-the-art conference center but also a key tourism destination, showcasing Africa's rich history, Pan-Africanism, and cultural diversity through curated artworks. 📅 Event Dates: 21–24 October 2024 📍 Location: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Africa Hall, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia This event marks a monumental moment in Africa's diplomatic and cultural landscape. #AfricaHall #PanAfricanism #Diplomacy #Unity #CulturalHeritage #EconomicCommissionforAfrica #UN #Africa #HaileSelassie #AfricanUnity #culturalheritage

"Honored to lead the ECA delegation to attend the consultative meeting organized by DIRCO South Africa and African Union - Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, Minerals (ETTIM) on G20. I highly commend H.E. Zane Dangor and H.E. Ambassador Albert Muchanga for putting forward a platform to engage partners." - Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. As South Africa prepares to take the G20 presidency, ECA is ready to support South Africa and the African Union, for the priority areas, in particular IFA reform, just energy transition, critical minerals, and climate actions. #G20 #IFA

Deputy Executive Secretary, Hanan Morsy, had a great meeting with United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa, Nelson Muffuh, in Pretoria to discuss on UN's support to South Africa as the country prepares to chair #G20 next year. Eunice G. Kamwendo #SouthAfrica

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Africa Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) and the Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade &Industry (MCTI), of Zambia kicked off a validation workshop from 8-9th October 2024 in Lusaka to present &discuss the draft Green Supplement to the Strategy for the Implementation of the AfCFTA in Zambia. Speaking at the launch of the validation workshop, Mr. Simmy Chapula, Director of Coordination and Delivery, in his remarks made on behalf of Ms Lilian S. Bwalya, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI), noted that the objective of the workshop was to validate the green supplement which is designed to develop value chains in key sectors in a sustainable and climate-resilient manner. He indicated that the sectors were vital to Zambia’s export strategy under the AfCFTA and greening them was crucial for their competitiveness and long-term growth. Mr. Chapula further said that Zambia would explore innovative solutions from sustainable farming practices to eco-friendly manufacturing and the use of renewable energy that can help reduce the carbon footprint & build resilience against climate change.He lauded the cooperating partners, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, for their continued support in advancing initiatives aimed at enhancing value chains and open new markets within Africa. On his part, Mr. Mzwanele Mfunwa, Economic Affairs Officer, in remarks made on behalf of Ms. Eunice G. Kamwendo, Director of the ECA Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa, stated that the building of green value chains in the context of the ACFTA would be an important part of a forward looking and sustainable trade and industrial strategy for Zambia to deepen its gains from regional and international trade. He noted that the AfCFTA offers Zambia an unprecedented opportunity to diversify its trade, build resilient industries, and boost economic growth. He further noted that to fully realize these benefits, it was critical that trade was inclusive and environmentally sustainable. As such, the workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to share their insights and validate the Draft Green Supplement to Zambia’s National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. In addition, he observed that Zambia’s agriculture and forestry sectors, particularly the cotton and wood value chains, can play a crucial role in driving economic growth & reducing poverty. This workshop is part of a project that UNECA, in collaboration with the UNCTAD,has been implementing, funded by DANIDA to identify green value chain opportunities &climate adaptation needs across 19 African countries and 5 regions, including Zambia. The findings would be incorporated into the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategies as Green Supplements, aligning with Zambia’s national priorities & the UN’s efforts to promote sustainable development. Bineswaree Bolaky

Cover Story by Claver Gatete -We need to accelerate development at breakneck speed – Guest Editor - https://lnkd.in/eWBacKka