RIPESS is an accredited organization with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The UNCTAD 14 meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya the past 22 to 27 July.

RIPESS was represented in the preparatory meetings held in Geneva in April and May. Madani Koumaré from Mali, President of the African Network of SSE (RAESS), and member of the Board of RIPESS, was our representative:

On this occasion, on 21st of July, RIPESS organized a workshop at the Forum of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the following topic: “The base of economic activities: an alternative to globalization led by the Corporations” – View the content of the intervention of Madani Koumaré (in French), which was accompanied by Mrs. Sifa Chiyoge, Director of the Africa International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). Hamish Jenkins from the Non-Governmental Union Liaison Service (NGLS) of the UN moderated the session.

009_Foto UNCTAD

From left to right: Koumaré Madani – President of RAESS Hamish Jenkins- Director of the UN NGLS, and Ms. Chiyoge Sida from the ACI

On the other hand, RIPESS endorsed with 400 other organizations of civil society, a call on July 18 (see the Statement) asking for trade and development more oriented in favour of the population and less developed countries and not just serving multinationals.

We will post more information in the coming weeks and months.

Note by Yvon Poirier, board member of RIPESS