Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam meets UNDP Administrator Helen Clark
On Monday [1st Nov], Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met Ms. Helen Clark, the Chief Administrator of UNDP, exchanging views on global, regional and sub-regional issues, and in particular the current situation in the Horn of Africa. Ms. Clark applauded the fast economic progress Ethiopia has been making in recent years and emphasized the importance of linking this to poverty reduction. She appreciated the achievements of the government in expanding education and health services. Indicating that the country was well in line to meet most of the global MDG targets, she promised that UNDP will closely work with the government of Ethiopia towards the realization of the targets in the new Growth and Transformation Plan. On sub-regional issues, Ms Clark recognized the pivotal role Ethiopia is playing to help ensure peace and security in the Horn of Africa. She noted that the restoration of peace in Somalia must be pursued in line with the Djibouti Peace Process and the 4.5 Formula. On Sudan, she commended Ethiopia’s efforts to bring the two parties together to ensure the peaceful conduct of the January Referendum. She said the issue of Abyie was becoming increasingly contentious and further stressed that this must be resolved peacefully on the basis of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the rulings of the International Court of Justice.
Recognizing the long standing development cooperation between UNDP and the Government of Ethiopia, Ato Hailemariam extended thanks for UNDP’s support in the fight against poverty. He stressed that the Government of Ethiopia was striving to ensure not only fast growth, but also to make certain the benefits of this growth were shared by all. He thanked UNDP for co-organizing the Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference held this week. Ato Hailemariam emphasized that Ethiopia was currently active in the efforts to free Africa from poverty and destitution. He noted that the continent needed policy independence and a legitimate share of global resources. Ethiopia, he said, is working for the realization of these through NEPAD and the global negotiations on climate. He stressed that the absence of peace and security in Somalia destabilized not only the sub-region, but had a much wider impact through terrorism and piracy. There was still a very real need to strengthen the TFG and the role of the UN in this regard was particularly important. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Ethiopia had the longest boundary with Sudan and the issues of peace and security there would have the greatest impact on Ethiopia. He said Ethiopia had been careful to remain balanced and had the trust of both parties, North and South. It would continue its efforts to ensure the peaceful and successful conduct of the January Referendum.