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Objectives :
The forum aims at endorsing the EU-Africa Cotton Partnership, considering the importance of the cotton sector for the African countries within the trade & development perspective.
The specific objectives are:

  1. establish a constructive dialogue on the Partnership.

2. improve the understanding of respective cotton trade positions to encourage a favourable outcome on agricultural negotiations in the context of the DDA;

3. set the stage for implementing the Partnership for cotton development, including:
  • an agreement on the structure and process of national cotton strategies
• an agreement on main themes to be covered in these cotton strategies
• indications from donors on possibility to support cotton in country/region
• strengthening institutional linkages between countries, institutions and donors.

Approach/methodology
There is an active involvement of both the African countries and the local donor community in the preparation of the Forum. The Forum itself will provide the opportunity to review the progress achieved by some African countries and agree upon a Road Map to implement the Partnership.

Steering Committee
A small Steering Committee composing of the European Commission, CTA, ACP-Working Group on cotton, France, Netherlands (EU-Presidency as off July) is responsible for the preparation, organisation and reporting of the Forum.

Overview of Agenda
  • During the opening session the high level speakers from the EU and Africa will set the scene.
• Session 1 on international trade highlights the respective trade positions and progress in the DDA.
• Session 2 deals with national cotton strategies as important development tools.
• Sessions 3-6 highlight thematic aspects for the development of national and regional strategies.
• Sessions 7 will discuss the support to cotton.
• Session 8 deals with the Road Map to implement of the Partnership.