This issue of South Bulletin highlights a keynote speech made by the Chairperson of the South Centre, H.E. Mr. Benjamin W. Mkapa, former President of Tanzania, in which he made a critical analysis of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that the African countries are negotiating with the European Union, and the alternatives for the East African Community and for African countries.

The focus on this issue is on the Economic Partnership Agreements that African countries are negotiating with the European Commission. As is well known these negotiations have faced an impasse for a long time.

At the African Union conference of Trade Ministers in Kigali in early November, the African Trade Ministers at the AU Conference called on Europe to rethink the basic premises of these EPAs.

The Bulletin has articles analysing this latest situation.  

This Issue of the South Bulletin reflects upon the ongoing financial crisis originating from US and bringing more countries into its fold. The Editorial by Dr. Yash Tandon, Executive Director of the South Centre is on “Time for a New Bretton Woods Conference”.

Analysis and commentaries appearing in the Bulletin, include on Financial Crisis: Lessons for the EPA Trade Negotiations; African Countries and the EPAs: Do Agriculture Safeguards Afford Adequate Protection?; The IBSA Summit and the Political Economy of the Global South; Communiqué on Global Financial Situation; SECURE: Ensuring Transparency and a Legitimate, Member-driven Process, and on Group of 77 and the Reform of the United Nations.