UNDP PRESS RELEASE
Strengthening Local Capacity for the Achievement of the MDGs
(A joint press release between the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of the Federal Democratic Republic Government of Ethiopia and the United Nations Development Programme)
The Government of Ethiopia has initiated the implementation of a number of programmes and projects in line with its five year (2007-2011) development strategy, entitled “A Plan for Accelerated and Sustainable Development to End Poverty” (PASDEP), to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels, is implementing a UNDP-funded project, entitled “Strengthening Local Capacity for the Achievement of the MDGs”. This project, with a total budget of US $8 million, supports the Government of Ethiopia’s efforts in achieving the MDGs. In order to develop local capacities to serve the citizens in an effective way, the project had successful interventions in three main areas: (i) the preparation of regional development plans and strategies that are based on applied research and consistent with the MDGs; (ii) basic social service delivery in the Emerging Regions; and (iii) Strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system.
The project has also been successful in developing the capacities of selected ministries and other government institutions including Regional Bureau of Finance and Economic Development, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Federal Affairs, the Central Statistical Agency (CSA), the Public Financial Enterprises Agency (PFEA), and Regional Management Institutes. MoFED and UNDP share the common understanding that such capacity related support is effective results in better policy research and public service delivery at the grass root level and fostering a sense of strong ownership and partnership in achieving MDGs.
As part of its capacity development intervention, UNDP Ethiopia has delivered nine TOYOTA double cabin vehicles for government partners at regional and federal level. The nine vehicles are part of the capacity strengthening programme. The vehicles will be distributed to 8 regions namely Afar, Amhara, Benshangul, Gambela, Oromiya, Somali, Tigray, and SNNPR. One vehicle will be transferred to the Ministry of Federal Affairs. The delivery of those vehicles is based on the capacity assessment of BoFEDs and WoFEDs to enhance their capacity in coordination, monitoring and reporting of UN assisted programs in their respective regions.
Similarly, for this year, UNDP Ethiopia has allocated US $10 million to support the Government’s on going efforts in developing local capacity for the achievement of MDGs.
The Federal Democratic Government of Ethiopia and UNDP use this occasion to revitalize their partnership and commitment to work hand in hand for the success of the Millennium Development Goals in Ethiopia.
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Contact:
1. Admassu Nebebe, Team Leader
MoFED, Multilateral and Development Cooperation Department
Telephone: +(251-11)151-2400
E-mail: [email protected]
2. Taye Amsalu, Capacity Outreach Specialist
UNDP Ethiopia CO
Telephone: + (251-11)551-5177
Cell: + (251-911223250
E-mail: [email protected]
www.et.undp.org