High-level Meeting in Tunis
Tunis, 26 May 2006 – Airlines officials and African regional institutions will meet from 29-30 May to examine challenges to free movement in Africa.
This high-level meeting brings together stakeholders of African air transport sector (airlines, civil aviation authorities, regional economic communities, international organizations, multilateral development banks and the private sector).
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The objective of the meeting organized by the African Union (AU), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Airlines and the Government of Tunisia is to contribute to efforts aimed at improving air travel services on the continent in order to facilitate integration in Africa. Participants will also share information on the use of air transport services and will also examine issues relating to improving connections as well as reduce tariffs on the continent.
The topics to be discussed include: “Institutional and regulatory framework; Financing of air transport sector; Development of intra-African route network and the African response to the globalization of air transport sector.” These topics constitute the major challenges which prevent the implementation of the November 1999 Decision on the liberalization of access to African Air transport markets.
Africa adopted the Yamoussoukro Decision on the New African Aeronautic Policy in 1988 and the Decision on the liberalization of access to African Air transport markets in November 1999. However, the implementation of the liberalization policy has been slow. Though this decision exists, the air transport sector in Africa still faces many challenges. The future and monitoring of African air transport is linked to technical, commercial and administrative cooperation, as well as to a harmonized legislative and regulatory environment.
High-ranking personalities participating in this meeting include Mr. Mohamed Ghannouchi, Tunisian Prime Minister; Mr. Alpha Oumar Konaré, African Union Commission President; Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, ECA Executive Secretary. Mr. Donald Kaberuka, ADB Group President, Mr. André Okombi Salissa, African Ministers of Transport Conference Chairman; Mr. Bernard Zoba, African Union Commission Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy and Mr. Christian Folly-Kossi, Secretary-General of the African Airlines Association.
Contact: M.Lotfi Madani -Division des Communications, BAD-
Tél : +216 71 10 31 98/Fax : +216 71 10 37 52 E-mail : l.madani@afdb.org
Mme Habiba Mejri-Cheikh – Division Communication et Information, Union Africaine –
Tél : +216 98 32 87 82 – E-mail : mejri-cheikh.habiba@hotmail.com
Source: ADB, May 26, 2006
