Outline of the Presentation

1. Study Report on Mainstreaming Regional Integration into National Development Strategies and PlansPresented by Emmanuel J. ChinyamaEconomic Affairs OfficerRITD Regional workshop on Mainstreaming Regional Integration into National Development Strategies and Plans 5th February 2013 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Outline of the Presentation • Background • Objectives and methodology of the study • The rationale for mainstreaming RI • Levels of mainstreaming regional integration • Empirical evidence and key findings • Challenges of mainstreaming RI • A framework for mainstreaming RI • Conclusions and policy recommendations

3. Background • The origin of the study • The purpose of the study • Areas covered by the study • Proposed framework

4. Objectives • Review the status on mainstreaming RI in Member States • Identify key challenges leading to limited mainstreaming of RI • Identify gaps in mainstreaming RI • Identify the level of coordination between stakeholders • Assess the level of participation by the civil society organizations (CSOs), and partners • Provide policy guidelines to member States

5. Methodology • Who conducted the study? • Countries covered • Ministries involved • Other techniques used

6. Understanding Some Concepts • What is regional integration? • What is mainstreaming regional integration?

7. The Rationale for mainstreaming RI • Effective implementation of activities and programmes relating to both regional integration and national development plans • Promoting regional integration agenda • Raise awareness and buy in of decisions, protocols and programmes adopted at national level

8. Levels of mainstreaming RI

9. Process of mainstreaming RI

10. Empirical experience & key findings • The study looked at the following areas: • motives for member States to join different RECs • degree to which national development plans address regional integration • significance of regional integration to selected sectors of the economy • Institutional arrangements at national level • levels of consultation among key players • levels of coordination between responsible ministry and others stakeholders

11. Various motives for member States to join different RECs

12. Degree to which national development plans address RI

13. Significance of regional integration to selected sectors of the economy

14. Institutional arrangements in the coordination of RI activities and programmes

15. Levels of consultation among key players

16. Levels of coordination between responsible ministry others stakeholders

17. Challenges of mainstreaming RI into national development plans • budget allocation • revenues, capital and job losses • Alignment of integration goals into national development plans • inadequate financial and human resources • lack of appropriate monitoring systems • multiple memberships in the RECs

18. Country budget allocation to regional integration activities

19. The impact of financial resources in implementing RI activities (%)

20. The impact of human capacity in implementing RI activities (%)

21. Challenges cont” • Revenue loses as countries engage in RI • Limited alignment of integration goals into national development plans • decisions and protocols on regional integration are not linked to the national development plans • Lack of appropriate monitoring systems • No proper reporting mechanism between the continental and regional bodies and the implementing agencies • Multiple memberships in the RECs • However, progress is being made i.e Banjul decisions & Tripartite initiatives

22. Challenges cont” Multiple memberships in the RECs

23. What Need to be Done? • Collective commitments at national level to deal with regional integration issues • Increased domestication of integration activities into national development plans • Enhanced monitoring, enforcement and feedback • Development of key indicators to assist in the monitoring of implementation • Training to policy makers and all stakeholders in RI issues etc….

24. A proposed framework for mainstreaming RI into national development plans

25. Conclusions • The objective of mainstreaming regional integration remains one of the key priorities of African leaders. • However, challenges still remain. • In general, the process of mainstreaming RI remains low. • Limited dissemination of information among key stakeholders. • Despite these challenges, notable efforts can be seen.

26. Conclusions • Despite these challenges, notable efforts can be seen • The recent Decision on COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite initiatives; • The AU Banjul Decision; • The initiatives on MIP; • AU decision on the establishment of ministry in charge of RI issues

27. Recommendations • Regional integration activities should not be seen as adhoc activities • Development of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in order to track the implementation of RI • Member States should support the AU decision on the establishment of regional integration fund

28. Recommendations • Accelerate the recommendation by the AU to establish a focal point, at national level • Adequate consultations between responsible ministries and other stakeholders • More emphasis in aligning regional integration activities and programmes to the priorities of their national development plans • Budget processes should include regional integration activities and programmes in the preparatory and planning stages.

29. Recommendations • Regional integration activities should not be seen as adhoc activities • Member States should develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms • Member States should support the AU decision on the establishment of regional integration fund

30. The End I thank you for your attention!!!