Ethiopia adopts action plan for global development
July 18, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Ethiopian government described as a “success” the United Nations-backed international conference on financing for development held in Addis Ababa.
The summit adopted a document known as “The Addis Ababa Action Agenda”, which contains over a 100 concrete measures including serious commitments on finance and cooperation on a range of issues including technology, science, innovation, trade, capacity building, climate, taxation as well as gender equality.
The action plan also urges developed nations to earmark a minimum 0.1 percent of their gross national income to least developed countries as Official Development Assistance.
World leaders are expected to adopt the Addis Ababa action agenda this September at a UN summit to be held in New York.
The Ethiopian government said the Action Agenda provides a foundation for implementing the global sustainable development.
“It marks a milestone in forging an enhanced global partnership that aims to foster universal, inclusive economic prosperity and improve people’s well-being while protecting the environment,” the government said in a statement on the state-owned television.
The Ethiopian prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn who was the chairperson of the summit said Addis Ababa Action Agenda targeted to promote sustainable development is “a milestone for the development of the world in which the world waiting with great inspiration to say no one is behind in development aspects”.
He said developed nations will allocate 0.7 % of their gross national income for assistance in which 0.15% to 0.20% will be for LDCs.
According to Ethiopian officials, the horn of African nation was selected to host the summit due to the rapid economic growth it registered during the past decade and achievements to most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Currently Africa’s fastest growing economy, Ethiopia intends to become a middle income country by 2025.
The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, while speaking at the summit congratulated members of the world body on the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, describing it as a critical step forward in building a sustainable future for all nations.
“The results here in Addis Ababa give us the foundation of a revitalised global partnership for sustainable development that will leave no one behind,” said Ki moon.
This was the third international financing for development conference to be held globally after the 2002 Monterrey Conference in Mexico and the 2008 conference in Doha, Qatar. Ethiopia is the first African country to host the UN finance conference.
The conference, held under the theme “Time for global action,” featured other 200 events.
(ST)