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ally, existing non-tariff barriers and weak infrastructure within thecontinent are also among the factors attributable to the low volumeof trade within Africa. All these challenges need to be addressed soas to accelerate the integration of the continent.At the same time, we also need to bring more coherence to our regionalintegration architecture in order to build a solid foundationfor the African Economic Community we envisage. As you know,there are presently fourteen main regional economic blocs on thecontinent. The African Union recognizes eight of them as regionaleconomic communities and the remaining as inter-governmental organisations.The similar mandates and objectives of these regionalgroupings and the multiplicity of membership by African countriesinto different RECs appear to be thwarting the integration agendaof the continent. There is therefore a strong need to rationalise theregional economic grouping so as to advance and strengthen the integrationagenda of the continent. This needs to be done becausethe presence of so many regional economic groupings spreads limitedresources thin, complicates the overall continental integrationprocess, and puts enormous strain on governments’ ability and resourcesto cope with diverse agendas and exigencies.ECA has been working on regional integration issues since its inceptionin 1958. It played a big part in the creation of some of the regionaleconomic communities. In recent years, it has also assisted someof the RECs with the design of sustainable financing mechanisms andestablishing development funds to support their programmes. Weplan to deepen our work and support to Member States in the areaof regional integration.It is a key element of the current exercise to reposition ECA to betterrespond to Africa’s priorities against the background of the efforts ofour Secretary-General, His Excellency, Mr. Kofi Annan, to put in placea more efficient and coherent United Nations system. Let me alsotake the opportunity to thank President Konare for his support andthat of the African Union Commission towards ECA’s reform agenda,and indeed for his commitment towards fostering a closer relationshipbetween ECA and the African Union Commission, and with theAfrican Development Bank, whose President, Donald Kaberuka, hasalso been an ardent supporter and champion of our tripartite partnershipin the service of our common Member States.Integrating Africa73