Canada and UNDP Ethiopia sign partnership agreement to support the multi-partner Supporting Elections for Ethiopia’s Democracy Strengthening (SEEDS) project
ADDIS ABABA (UNDP Ethiopia) – The Government of Canada has signed an agreement with UNDP to provide one million Canadian dollars for the multi-partner Supporting Elections for Ethiopia’s Democracy Strengthening (SEEDS) project.
The financing agreement was signed by the Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada and Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, in the presence of the board members of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), Ms. Bizuwork Ketete and Dr. Aberra Degefa.
The SEEDS project seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of NEBE to efficiently deliver on its mandate to undertake an inclusive, transparent and credible elections. Specifically, the project will assist NEBE to conduct public outreach and external communication activities to identify, manage and respond to electoral violence.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa said, “This signing ceremony is happening on the sidelines of the African Union Summit that is organized under the theme ‘Silencing the Guns’ and I believe nothing silences the guns more than free and credible elections”.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, François-Philippe Champagne, also highlighted that Election is an embodiment of democratic principle and a great step towards the achievement of democracy. He asserted the commitment of the Government of Canada in supporting Ethiopia not only financially but also sharing experience for a free, fair and inclusive elections.
Inclusion, the role of women in building democratic nation, cultivating trust, information sharing, educating and engaging people about the election process are some of the topics discussed at the signing ceremony.
UNDP brings extensive global experience on elections, on average, annually providing electoral assistance to about 60 countries, including in fragile and conflict affected settings. From the UN side, UNDP is joined by IOM, OHCHR, UNESCO and UN Women.
Source: UNDP Ethiopia