Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist of the

Neal Rijkenberg, Minister of Finance of Eswatini and Chairperson of the Bureau of the STC, Your Excellency Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals, African Union Commission, Your Excellency Mr. [...] Denys Denya, Senior Executive President of the African Export-Import Bank, Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Delegates, Good morning! It is my great honour to speak on behalf of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa at the ministerial meeting of the 7th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integratio. [...] Before I begin, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our gracious hosts, the people and government of Tunisia, for their warm hospitality; and to commend the African Union Commission for their exemplary organization and facilitation of this pivotal meeting. [...] Nine years ago, countries around the world formulated the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and now it’s time for us to champion the discussion to reflect our positions that will lead the way for the next decade. [...] Excellencies, This year signifies the initiation of the second decade since the launch of the African Union's Agenda 2063.