Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern States (COMESA) works to achieve sustainable economic and social progress in all member states through increased cooperation and integration in every field of development particularly in trade; customs and monetary affairs; transport; communication and information technology; industry and energy; gender; agriculture; environment; and natural resources.  In agriculture, COMESA focuses on extending sustainable land management and reliable water control systems; improving rural infrastructure and trade related capacities for market access; increasing food supply, reducing hunger and improving responses to food emergency crises; and improving agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption.  Two cross cutting themes include academic and professional training, and support to farmers' associations together with information and knowledge systems.