Global Coalition for Africa

The Global Coalition for Africa (GCA) "The purpose of the GCA is to bring together African policy makers and their partners to deepen dialogue and build consensus on Africa's priority development. issues. The GCA's added value lies in the distinctive composition of its constituency, its emphasis on frank and open exchange of views, and its policy-focused approach. It aims to ensure that Africa remains high on the international agenda, to facilitate greater understanding of the development challenges faced by the continent, and to promote agreement on necessary actions to be taken by both African governments and their international partners. The GCA's agenda is focused on the broad themes of a) peace and security; b) governance and transition to democracy; and c) sustainable growth and integration into the global economy.

"Among the issues the GCA has addressed are security and the military; political transition; corruption and development; conflict management and post-conflict reconstruction; agricultural productivity; the private sector as an engine of growth; trade and investment; and regional cooperation and integration. In 2003, the GCA's main activities were its Policy Forum that focused on security and NEPAD; a meeting on fair trade and market access held immediately prior to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun; a review of regional integration and regional integration institutions conducted by groups of eminent persons; a study of the situation in the Great Lakes undertaken in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and the production of its Annual Report assessing political and economic trends in Africa. In addition, the GCA was a co-organizer of TICAD III - the third Tokyo International Conference on African Development - along with the Government of Japan, the United Nations and the World Bank. It also served as a member of the organizing committee for Global Forum III on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity, hosted by the Government of Korea.

"The GCA Co-Chairpersons are President Festus Mogae of Botswana; Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia; Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Alpha Oumar Konare; Frene Ginwala, former Speaker of the South African National Assembly; Minister Hilde Johnson of Norway; and President of JICA, Sadako Ogata. Former President Sir Ketumile Masire of Botswana, former Minister Jan Pronk of the Netherlands, and former World Bank President Robert McNamara are Co-Chairpersons Emeritus. Mr. Hage Geingob, former Prime Minister of Namibia, is the GCA Executive Secretary. Funding for the GCA is provided by Africa's development partners, including the World Bank."


 * Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah - Former Executive Secretary

Contact

 * Web: http://www.gcacma.org (not working)

Resources and articles

 * Herman J. Cohen - senior adviser