Assembly/AU/Dec.569(XXV) Page 1 DECISION ON THE LAUNCH OF CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA NEGOTIATIONS Doc. Assembly/AU/11(XXV) The Assembly, 1. TAKES NOTE of the outcomes of the Conference and ADOPTS the following: i) The objectives and principles of Negotiating the CFTA; ii) The indicative Roadmap for the Negotiation and establishment of the CFTA; iii) The Terms of Reference for the CFTA Negotiating Forum (CFTA-NF); iv) The institutional arrangements for the CFTA negotiation; v) The Draft Declaration on the Launch of negotiation for the establishment of the CFTA. 2. EXPRESSES satisfaction with the preparatory work done towards the launch of the negotiations for the Continental Free Trade Area and COMMITS to negotiate a CFTA with significant benefits by building on the progress already achieved by the RECs; 3. LAUNCHES negotiations for the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area aimed at integrating Africa‟s markets in line with the objectives and principles enunciated in the Abuja Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community; 4. REQUESTS the Continental Free Trade Area-Negotiating Forum (CFTA-NF) to organise its inaugural Meeting in 2015 and to work towards concluding the negotiations by 2017; 5. CALLS UPON the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Development Partners to provide the necessary support to the Member States, the Commission and the Regional Economic Communities to ensure a timely conclusion of the Negotiations. 6. TAKES NOTE WITH APPRECIATION of the status of preparations for the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference 2015, and CONGRATULATES the Republic of Kenya for hosting this important Conference, and URGES Member States to participate actively; 7. WELCOMES: i) the briefing on progress made on AGOA as well as the initiative to hold in Gabon a Ministerial Meeting in preparation for the AGOA Forum;