PMFORUM Breaking News

Reported by Getachew Teklemariam in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is busy right now hosting the 87^th African, Caribbean and Pacific(ACP) council of ministers and the 33^rd ACP-EU joint council of ministers meeting to be held from June 8-13, 2008 . The main discussion points of the meeting are reported to be development and trade cooperation between the ACP countries and EU.


While opening the meeting, Ethiopian Minster of Finance and Economic Development Economic Development, Sufian Ahmed, has said that " the economic slow down of some developed countries is also in one way or another impacting the development of endeavors in developing countries".

He, also, has underlined the importance of coupling development with environmental protection. While mentioning about Ethiopia's progress in this regard, he has confirmed that the country is making a big step forward in implementing its 2nd medium-term development plan, PASDEP (Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty).

Mohammed Ahmed, President of the ACP council, on his part, has described effective use of development aid, ensuing food security, and economic issues with EU to be the focal points of the meeting.

Another point mentioned to be a discussion point in the meetings is the state of play, implications, and the way forward for Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). Further more, reports on asylum, migration and mobility, Banana, Sugar, Cotton and Development finance will be consulted.

A total number of 79 states are represented with their ministers and senior officials in the meeting, which is being organized by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of Ethiopia.

For more on the meeting, take a look at http://www.mofaed.org/ACP.asp

Getachew Teklemariam Alemu International Correspondent Ethiopia Mr. Getachew Teklemariam Aleum is an International Correspondent for PMForum and PM World Today based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mr. Alemu is also an Infrastructure Projects Expert in the Development Projects Department of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, government of Ethiopia. This department is responsible for studying and controlling the project planning and management system at the federal level in the country. Getachew is responsible for monitoring, appraising and reporting on public sector infrastructure projects financed by the Ethiopian government or bilateral and multilateral donors. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Land Resources Management and Environmental Protection from Mekelle University in Ethiopia. He has also been educated in marco economic development, infrastructure development in developing countries, national economic development and project management. More information about Getachew Teklemariam can be found at Getachew Alemu named International Correspondent for PMForum in Ethiopia; Getachew can be contacted at getdem2006@yahoo.com.