On September 26, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman will deliver opening remarks for the 2016 Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum. Since 2000, AGOA has been the cornerstone of U.S. economic policy in Africa. The annual AGOA Forum serves as the premier event that brings together African Trade Ministers with U.S. counterparts to discuss how we can work together to enhance our trade and investment relationship. Highlights of the AGOA Forum Ministerial will include best practices for an effective AGOA utilization strategy, addressing supply-side constraints to AGOA utilization, e.g., access to finance, preparing for a more reciprocal trade relationship, and managing risk to balance cross-border trade with security.

The Civil Society Forum, taking place on September 22-23, will bring together non-governmental and African diaspora organizations to share their ideas for reinforcing our collective efforts under AGOA. This will be streamed and can be watched at http://www.agoacsonetwork.org

The opening and closing sessions of the one-day AGOA Forum are open to the press and will be streamed live Monday, September 26 at www.video.state.gov.

Opening remarks with Assistant Secretary Linda Thomas-Greenfield and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Pre-set time for video cameras: 8:00 a.m. from the 23^rd Street entrance.
Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 8:30 a.m. from the 23^rd Street entrance.

The closing ceremony begins at 6:15 p.m.
Pre-set time for video cameras: 4:30 p.m. from the 23^rd Street entrance.
Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 5:30 p.m. from the 23^rd Street entrance.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) A U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver's license, passport).

For a detailed schedule of events open to the press or inquiries, please contact Marion Wohlers, wohlersmj@state.gov