ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Ethiopian government on Thursday renewed their commitment to working together for the economic and social transformation of Ethiopia and the African continent at large.
The newly appointed ECA Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe, who took office on Thursday, held talks with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at his office in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
The two sides have discussed a number of issues, including the urgent need for the continent to strengthen its domestic resource mobilization so it can fund its development.
They have also discussed issues related to the ongoing Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) negotiations; intra-African trade; special economic zones; climate change; gender; peace and security.
Songwe said following Brexit and the new American isolationist policies, there is need for Africa to unite more than ever and take advantage of the gaps being left by the threat against multi-lateralism.
"Of course there is uncertainty at the moment but what makes us happy is that it is happening at a time when Africa is getting its voice back," said Songwe, adding the continent must capitalize on the discord being created by dissenting voices against globalization.
"We must unite in Africa as others disperse for we stand a better chance of taking the space others are vacating if we stand as one. We can only weather this storm by working closely together for the transformation of our economies but more so if we rely on our own resources."
The new ECA Chief underlined the need for Africa's institutions to be reformed if they are to meet the continent's challenges, including resource mobilization to fund the continent's development.
For his part, the Prime Minister agreed, adding the spirit of Pan-Africanism embodied in the ECA and her sister organizations, the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) should continue to spur the continent's desire to do more for itself.
"The collective role that these Pan African institutions play adds value in a lot of ongoing work for Africa's transformation," said Hailemariam, adding the ECA remains a key player in Ethiopia and Africa's development.
He thanked Songwe for her role as a member of Rwandan President Paul Kagame's committee that has been looking at implementing institutional reforms at the African Union.
The Prime Minister said he was quite happy that Songwe was appointed the first woman Executive Secretary of the ECA, adding this was a sign that Africa's women are on the rise.
They have also talked about the host country agreement that governs relations between the ECA and Ethiopia.
According to a statement from ECA, the new ECA chief is expected to meet with officials of the African Union Commission and others on Friday.
