Speaking at the 40th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts for North Africa (ICSOE), Amandine Nakomura Yago, UNECA Economic Affairs Officer, said persistent global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and climate shocks continue to weigh heavily on the region’s economies.
Yago stated that North African countries face shared challenges that require coordinated, timely policy responses.
She called for a comprehensive reform agenda focused on macroeconomic stability, structural transformation, competitiveness, and climate resilience. Yago urged investment in renewable energy, efficient water management, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure to secure long-term growth.
Chaired by Tunisia, with Egypt serving as rapporteur, the three-day meeting runs from 11 to 13 November under the theme Enhancing Domestic Resource Mobilization through Innovation and Technology in North Africa.
Delegates discussed regional development frameworks, North Africa–specific initiatives, and progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Adam Elhiraika, Director of UNECA’s Subregional Office for North Africa, highlighted the importance of financial independence for economic transformation. He stated that broadening the domestic revenue base, strengthening financial management, and enhancing institutional capacity are critical to sustaining growth.
Elhiraika also warned that even a one-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures could reduce per capita GDP in the region by up to 11 percent within five years, stressing the urgency of climate adaptation and green investment.
The meeting brings together senior officials and experts from North African countries to explore innovative policies for mobilizing domestic resources and fostering sustainable economic development across the region.
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