This document summarizes a two-day conference in Addis Ababa regarding Africa's civil society strategy for implementing the Istanbul Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries from 2011-2020. Over two dozen participants from various African countries attended. Presentations were given on the Programme of Action, a new online platform for African civil society organizations, the Millennium Development Goals, the food crisis and women's access to land, fair trade and climate justice, and the green economy. Participants discussed developing strategies for policymakers, investing more in agriculture, advocating for South-South cooperation, and African countries' positions on the green economy. Task forces were formed on the MDGs and green economy to develop proposals.

1. Africa Civil Society Regional Strategy towards Implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IpoA) for the LDCs for the Decade 2011-2020 Addis Ababa: 13-14 June 2012
The 13 and 14 June 2012 was held in Addis Ababa the African LDCs Conference for the implementation of the Programme of Action of Istanbul. This meeting brought together more than two dozen participants from various African countries. AAWORD / AFARD was represented by Ms. Astronaut Bagile of AAWORD-Tanzania, Ms. Antonieta Rosa Gomes from AAWORD - Guinea-Bissau and Maguette Gueye, the Communication Officer.
The opening ceremony began with welcoming remarks from the international coordinator of LDC Watch, Mr. Arjun Karki. Then the different personalities took the floor to acknowledge the work and the strong involvement of civil society and NGOs in the Istanbul Declaration and the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the decade 2011-2020. After the opening ceremony, work began with the presentation of the LDC Watch and the Programme of Action called IpoA. This is followed by the one on the platform on internet (www.african.cso.org) which was set up by the CEA to equip civil society organizations and NGOs of a networking space for a synergy of actions. This portal wants to be an exchange place between Civil Society and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The site provides the opportunity for NGOs in 54 African countries to share documents and seek funding for their projects and programs.
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have also been presented. The MDGs have been criticized in any form including their approaches in LDCs. Thus, according to Amadou Taal of the Gambia and Mama Keita, Economic Development and NEPAD Division (EDND), the formulation of the MDGs should be amended to better take into account the concerns of African countries. An approach that emphasizes that the deadline for achieving the MDGs is too short for LDCs, requiring a restatement. Thus, a questionnaire was distributed to participants for the various alternatives that could provide for a civil society development program beyond 2015. NGOs are invited to complete the questionnaire online at: www.prs-mdgs.uneca.org. The panel was moderated by Ms. Astronaut Bagile, AAWORD-Tanzania.
Mrs. Huguette Bokpe Gnacadja from Network Social Watch Benin did the last presentation of the first day on the food crisis, land and livelihoods. In her speech she noted the difficulties women face in accessing land and lack of government leadership for better exploitation of agricultural resources. In the discussion that followed this panel, participants urged the secretariat of LDC Watch to develop a strategy with policy makers and invite them to invest more in agriculture without any discrimination.
During the second and final day of the conference, two panels have marked the session. In his presentation on "fair trade, climate justice and development", Jane Nalunga from Uganda dwelt on the appropriate role for civil society to strengthen trade and find foreign investors to boost the sector. She said the South-South cooperation, which represents 50% of LDC trade is one of the solutions that civil society should advocate to find possible solutions to the problems in this sector.
On the fringe of the Rio +20 conference which will be held in Brazil from 20 to 22 June 2012, Ms. Azeb Girmai from ENDA Ethiopia, made the last presentation on the green economy, one of the themes of the World Meeting on the environment. According to Ms. Girmai this new growth way, calls on all African countries to give their position because governments have a crucial role to play in promoting the green economy and are responsible to secure funding while raising the question of

2. whether LDCs are willing to join this economic movement, hence the need for civil society to address the matter and integrate it in implementation of the Programme of Action of Istanbul.
After a short interview with Ms Huguette Bokpe Gnacadja on the working group of women formed in Istanbul, at lunch time was women participants were gathered to revive the network created in May 2011. Ms. Bokpe Gnacadja made a brief presentation of the group for those who were not there, talked about the objectives and the action plan which should be developed. Indeed, the network wants autonomy within LDC Watch, being a gender group to take better account of women's concerns. Having not enough time to further discuss on the issues of substance and form of the group, Ms. Bokpe Gnacadja who is the coordinator, promised to send the record of what has been done since the Istanbul conference, to all those who were not there and invite them to bring their suggestions.
In the afternoon, before the closing ceremony, Mr. Demba Moussa Dembele, President of LDC Watch, read the draft of the regional strategy taking into account the assessments and recommendations of the various participants. A document that summarizes all the points raised during these two days of discussions. It will be sent to all participants for amendment.
Following the presentation of Mr. Demba Moussa Dembele, two tasks force have been formed on MDGs and on the green economy. Each group should reflect on their respective subjects and make concise proposals to the Secretariat of LDC Watch. AAWORD / AFARD is represented in the group on the green economy by Ms. Astronaut Bagile.
AAWORD/AFARD communication prepared for the meeting was shared with all participants and the Secretariat of the Observatory of LDC Watch.