A delegation from UNESCO on 27 January 2010, paid a courtesy call at the COMESA Secretariat.

The Secretariat was represented by Ambassador Nagla El-Hussainy, Acting Secretary General; Mrs Emiliana Tembo, Director of Gender and Social Affairs; Mr Tasara Muzorori, Senior Trade Officer; and Mr Zerezghi Kidane, Senior Customs Affairs Officer. UNESCO was represented by Dr Soo Hyang Choi, Director and Representative for Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the SADC Secretariat; Ms Mulekeni Ngulube, Programme Specialist for Culture; and Mr. Saul Murimba, an Education Specialist.

The UNESCO Director expressed delight for having finally been able to meet COMESA to further strengthen the relations with COMESA on programmes, especially on trade, gender, social and cultural as well as educational issues. She informed the Secretariat that the UNESCO top priority was focused on Gender and the African Continent.

UNESCO also highlighted that they were interested in women business development and empowerment and they had programmes to assist women in the cultural industry to use culture as a tool for sustainable development and a source of livelihood. However, they identified the challenges of markets for handicrafts and other cultural products and they would wish to work with COMESA on this matter.

The Acting Secretary General welcomed the delegation and briefed them about COMESA programmes in general and the upgrading of the Gender Unit into a full Division which covers not only gender issues but also youth education and social affairs. Regarding the launch of the Customs Union, COMESA explained the Trade regime including the Free Trade Area as well as the Simplified Trade Regime. The simplified Trade Regime is meant to facilitate trade by cross-border traders the majority of whom were women. The establishment of One-Stop-Border Post between Zambia and Zimbabwe was mentioned as one of the initiatives of simplifying the movement of cross-border traders.

COMESA also explained the work that the Gender Division was doing with regard to HIV/AIDS including workplace activities; and how to empower women to participate in the economy while addressing their vulnerability.

Given the multiple memberships and the need to harvest synergies, it was agreed that there will be joint programming on projects between SADC and COMESA with the UNESCO. To this effect UNESCO will work with COMESA to ensure that COMESA attends the annual meeting earmarked for September 2010 to conserve resources and energy.

Finally, UNESCO will work with the Gender and Social Affairs Division to finalize the Social Charter.