Ghana To Host 12th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
The 12th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XII) has been scheduled to be held in Accra, Ghana from the 20 - 25 of April this year.
The conference which is under the theme 'Addressing the Opportunities and Challenges of Globalization for Development' is expected to attract some 4,000 representatives of UNCTAD's 193 member States including several Heads of State and participants from other international bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations, business, as well as the academia.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra yesterday, the Minister for Trade Industries PSI and PSD, Hon. Joe Baiden Amissah, pointed out that the sub themes of the conference include: 'Enhancing coherence at all levels for sustainable economic development and poverty reduction in global policy-making, including the contribution of regional approaches,' 'Key trade and development issues and the new realities in the geography of the world economy.'
Others he said are 'Enhancing an enabling environment at all levels to strengthen productive capacity, trade and investment: mobilizing resources and harnessing knowledge for development' as well as 'Strengthening UNCTAD: enhancing its development role, impact, and institutional effectiveness.'
He intimated that the government intends to make UNCTAD in Ghana a turning point in its history for the benefit of Africa's economic development adding that the conference's high-level segment which will attract head of states will be under the theme 'Trade and development for Africa's prosperity: action and direction'
The Minister added that another major attraction of the conference is a proposal made by Ghana to organised concurrently and in parallel the first world investment summit which will bring together global businesses from around the world as well as dynamic medium and small enterprise executives to network and engage in dialogue the core issues related to investment in developing countries.
Hon. Joe Baiden Ansah assure that to ensure the success of the conference his ministry has since march 2006 constituted 20 task force team with a General Coordinating Committee as well as a secretariat to undertake specific activities that will cover all considerable aspects of the organisation of the conference.
'There is an inter-ministerial committee with an over sight responsibility for the organisation of this conference comprising the ministers of Trade Industry, PSD and PSI, Foreign Affairs, NEPAD and Regional Coordination as well as the Minister for Presidential Affairs supported by the Information and National Orientation Minster' he said
He was however grateful to the UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi and his team
In a statement the Head of Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach Services Secretary of the Trade and Development Board Jo Elizabeth butler was hopeful for world wide media coverage and assured the media of fair issuance of accreditation to the conference.