ECA Staff Voice Issue 8 www.uneca.org/staff-union November 2014 COUNTING DOWN TO UN@70

“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.” —Eleanor Roosevelt, American Delegate to the United Nations

Pictures that made history in the life of ECA

The United Nations at Seventy: By H.E. Ambassador Berhane Gebrechristos, State Minister

President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, visits the Africa Hall ECA’s Publication and Distribution Unit (PDU) wins 2014 UN 21Award for Efficiency San Francisco Conference, signing ceremony of the United Nations Charter ECA boss Carlos Lopes receives the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize

Kofi Annan Foundation: Africa and the United Nations Could you even imagine a world without the United Nations?

San Francisco Conference, signing ceremony of the United Nations Charter

Special Issue Madrid

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com Contents

Editorial • Could you even imagine a world without the United Nations? 4 • Introduction to the 70 years of service by the United Nations to the African continent 5

Messages • Pictures that made history in the life of ECA 6 • Executive Secretaries of the Economic Commission for Africa, 1958 - 2014 8 • The United Nations at seventy By H.E. Ambassador Berhane Gebrechristos, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 10 • Statement by Abdalla Hamdok, Deputy Executive Secretary 12 • Innovation: The new currency for emergence in Africa: preliminary draft for discussion By Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa 14 • United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Judith Karl, Executive Secretary 15 • UN@70 Personal thoughts By Firmin Edouard Matoko, Diretor of UNESCO Office in Addis Ababa 18 • From Addis to Malabo By Wanja Kaaria, Deputy Director of WFP 19 • Message from Dr Pierre M’Pele-Kilebou, Representative to Ethiopia 20 • Kofi Annan Foundation. Africa and the United Nations. A personal perspective By Alan Doss, Executive Director 21 • The Executive Secretary’s Blog: Innovative Financing a Must for Africa 22 • Les Financements Innovants sont une Obligation Pour L’Afrique 24 • ECA boss Carlos Lopes receives the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize 26

Feature Articles • UN Day Celebration at the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA ) 24 October 2014 By Seble Demeke 27 • Inauguration of the North Office Facility Building at the UNECA compound to host United Nations Agencies By Seble Demeke 28 • ECA’s Publishing and Distribution Unit wins 2014 UN 21 Award for Efficiency By Seble Demeke 29 • President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, visits the Africa Hall 30 By Seble Demeke

Contributions by the African Union and UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes • Long-live the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union By Ambassador Olawale I. Maiyegun 32 • United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) and Coordinator of the UN Country Team in Ethiopia, Eugene Owusu 34 • The HIV/AIDS African epidemic over time. Hopes and gaps of ending AIDS by 2030 By Dr. Warren Naamara, Country Director, UNAIDS 35 • Two major UN achievements for Africa which every African should be proud of By Firmin Edouard Matoko, Director of UNESCO Office in Addis Ababa 38 • Creating a brighter future for Uganda By Vincent Wierda, Programme Manager for the UNCDF CleanStart initiative 40 Contents

• Partnerships are key By WFP 42 • Journey of WHO in Ethiopia By Dr Pierre M’Pele-Kilebou, WHO Representative to Ethiopia 44

Contributions by ECA Substantive Divisions • UN support to Africa using ICTs to accelerate socioeconomic development By Makane Faye, Chief, Knowledge Services Section (KSS) 46 • ECA milestone achievements By Capacity Development Division 48 • What has the United Nations done for Africa in terms of health? By Dr. Grace Fombad, Chief Medical Officer, UN Health Care Center (UNHCC) 49 • The UN: Over 50 years of concrete results to support the development of West Africa 50 • L`ONU : Plus de cinquante ans de réalisations concrètes pour soutenir le développement de l’Afrique de l’Ouest Ingoila Mounkaila Communications Officer: Bureau sous régional pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest 53 • Thinking it first for Africa (a Letter from Molakisi to Mwalimu), Letter transcribed by Abel Akara Ticha, Communications Officer ECA/SRO-CA 56

Contributions from Staff • Literature resources on Ebola 58 • Thank you to President Barack Obama for taking immediate action on Ebola By Seble Demeke 59 • Executive Secretary’s Town Hall, 21 October 2014: Statement on staff concerns By Makane FAYE, President, ECA Staff Union Executive Committee 60 • Tree planting by Staff Members of UN system organizations By Makane FAYE, President of FUNSA 62 • Enhancing UN-Africa partnership using technology (ICT) Special Contribution to UNECA staff magazine on the occasion of UN 70 years Anniversary By Yimer Al Amin, Information Systems Technology Supervisor, ITSS/UNECA 64 • The pragmatic relationship between organizational culture and knowledge management: the Case of ECA By Bewketu Bogale, ECA/HRSS 66 • How is the UN perceived by its staff members? By Tamra Tekeste, International Labour Organization (ILO) 68 • I am a mom and a UN employee By ZebibTekle, HumanResources Assistant DoA/HRSS (UNECA) 69

Announcement • Message from CCISUA on the Pension Fund 70 • Statement of the Coordinating Committee of International Staff Unions and Associations (CCISUA) to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly 71 • Ms. Judith Karl, a US national is appointed as the New Executive Secretary of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) on 1 August 2014 73 • United Nations Women’s Association (UNWA) 73

From the News • The African Union Commission Pledges One Million to Ebola Response AU/WHO Joint Press Statement, 13 August 2014 74 • Six Toxic Beliefs That Will Ruin Your Career Source www.linkdin.com, Emotional Intelligence (Provided by Tsetargachew Zewde, finance assistant, UNECA, Staff Union) 75

2 UNECA - StaffVoice In an attempt to stop wars between countries and to provide a platform for dialogue, the United Nations was established after 50 nations met in San Francisco.

Ethiopia was one of the 50 nations, which met in San Francisco to sign the United Nations Charter in 1945 Those in the picture include, Ak- ililu Habtewold, Foreign Minister, Ephrem Tewolde Medhin, Ambas- sador to the United States of America and Dr. Ambaye Woldemariam, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Justice of the Imperial Government of Ethiopia

Editorial Committee / Meet Your Focal Persons Comité de redaction Pamela Youth, African Union Rokas Butanavicius, DoA, UNECA Makane Faye, President of the Executive Committee Marcel Ngoma-Mouaya, DPMU/PS, UNECA Abraham Tameru, Vice-President of the Executive Committee Dr. Fikir Melese, WHO Seble Demeke, Editor-in-chief Roger Gakira, GSS, SCMS, UNECA Ebenezer First-Quao, English Editor UN Women Ethiopia Adjoa des Bordes-Imboua, English Editor Stephanie Savariaud, WFP Awoke Moges, Staff Rep. UNICEF Megan Rees, English Editor Martha Mogus, UNDP Ezigbalike Chukwudozie, African Center for Statistics Lamin Fatty, HRSS, DOA Abou Lawan Mahmane, French Editor Aida Awel, Staff Rep. ILO Getaneh Anteneh, French Editor Rubel Sasha, UNESCO Dad Ould Maouloud, Arabic & Spanish Editor Dr. Ayana Kebede, UNHCC, ECA Marcellin Vidjennagni Zounmenou, French Editor UNECA/OES Patriciah Thoronjo, OCHA Dereje Wondimu, Photographer

UNECA - StaffVoice 3 Editorial

Could you even imagine a world without the United Nations?

By Seble Demeke

“Imagination is more important than knowledge”. Albert Einstein

It seemed as if I had left my home My nightmare was endless, and this to go on a journey, and I met a time, I was terrified at the strange group of well-dressed and well-built scene I had just witnessed. It looked people. They looked like humans, like a vast space of land, an earth- harassing the little ones who looked like planet, with no green trees, no like them. They were bossing water, no humans. I came to the them around – “do this don’t do conclusion that the place must have that, don’t move, don’t talk”. I said suffered, once upon a time, from all kinds of people, men, women, to myself, “Oh, let me just steer natural and man-made disasters. children, black, white, yellow and away from this group of manlike The whole place was burnt to ashes. strangely enough, others had no creatures and continue toward my I said again, “Good Lord, what is colour at all. I said, “What are destination. While I was rushing, this and where am I? Are there other these people doing here?” Someone I again saw a place, which looked people around? I better continue to outside the fence looked at me as like a market, filled with all kinds my destination and get out of here”. I if I had come from another planet. of beautiful agricultural produce. I then saw a familiar looking place. It I was scared that if I asked ques- realized, however, that those stand- used to have beautiful lakes. How- tions he might be angry and put me ing next to the produce were not ever, now, it was an empty land with along with those inside the fence. saying much, they were just looking no sign of life anywhere. I again felt I said, “Oh! I better run and con- at their wares. I thought it strange as if I was near a place where the sea tinue toward my destination”. I then that they seemed so distant from used to look as if it was meeting the thought I saw thousands of people the very produce that was sup- sky. That place too was empty, filled with their hands stretched towards posed to belong to them, their faces only with dead fish and other sea the sky as if they were asking for expressionless. “What is this?”, I creatures out on dry land. It was a help. I said, “Oh! These people must thought, “let me not get involved, sad scene. My heart broke to see the be asking for food, medicine, and let me just continue on my jour- destruction and desolation. But then God knows what else”? I was by ney”. I then encountered tens of again, I decided to continue toward then, quite confused about where I thousands of people, shouting and my destination. I then saw what was and what I was doing there. At fighting, it was chaos, no law and looked a group of youngsters han- that point, I decided to just stop my order and no police to keep the dling computers and other technol- journey. I had had my fill of seeing order. “Oh”, I said again, “I better ogy equipment. There was another people - men, women, children, the continue toward my destination group, which seemed surprised to sick and the old, all sitting together before I get into trouble”. I wished see what the group of youngsters and talking to each other, looking as somebody were there to stop the had, and tried to negotiate with if they were waiting for something or nonsense. Little did I know that them, asking them if it was possible someone to come to their rescue. worse was still to come. I then saw to have the same equipment. I said, other people, with firearms, stand- “Oh! I hope they will come to an Just before waking up from my ing on tanks, and others looking up agreement and share the knowledge nightmare I said to myself, “Where to the sky, where aircraft manned by and technology that the other group is the United Nations in the midst aliens were dropping what looked is monopolizing”. For me, I had to of all these happenings”. I then woke like little bombs. “Oh”, I said, “these continue my journey. up from my sleep and found out it people are fighting each other and had all been a nightmare. I thank I think they are at war against each This time, it seemed as if I was look- God for the UNITED NATIONS. other”. I then decided that I’d better ing at a big area, fenced with iron get away and escape from that area. and electric wires, and filled with Long live the United Nations!

4 UNECA - StaffVoice Introduction to the 70 years of service by the United Nations to the African continent

By Seble Demeke

The contribution of the United Na- tremendous sacrifice, both human tions to the African continent began and financial. primarily with the support that the institution provided during the con- While the above scenario is a tinent’s struggle for independence snapshot of the part played by ECA from colonial domination and oc- to support the political agenda of cupation. It is during this difficult OAU/AU during the struggle for in- time that Secretary-General Dag dependence, the Commission made Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary-General Hammarskjöld paid the ultimate other major strides on the continent of the United Nations - 1953 - 1961 price with his life while shuttling in the past 56 years (1958-2014) between the two Congos to bring in the area of economic and social about the peace that was required. development is tremendous. These ated Agenda 2063 for the conti- include: nent’s development. The question is Communication with the staff how the United Nations agencies, was very important to the former • Establishment of the African funds and programmes are going to Secretary-General. On 8 September, Development Bank (AfDB) move forward together with Africa before leaving for his trip to Congo, and the African Institute for high on the agenda. he had addressed the staff for the Economic Development and last time on the occasion of Staff Planning; Day in the General Assembly Hall. • Elaboration of the Lagos Plan of Action, a framework for Africa’s The celebration of the 70th anniver- development; Seventy years sary of the Organization’s service is • Spearheading efforts to draft: important for Africa. For Africans, the Abuja Treaty for establish- of the United this is the time to remember and ing the African Economic Nations is also time be grateful to the United Nations Community (AEC); the Af- and its regional arm, the Economic rican Alternative Framework enough for Africans to Commission for Africa (ECA), for to Structural Adjustment their support to the political agenda Programmes; the New Partner- reflect on what is next for of the continent through partner- ship for Africa’s Development the continent in terms ship with the then Organization (NEPAD), and of African Unity (OAU), now the • Instituting a transformation of partnership with the African Union (AU). The two agenda for Africa to reflect a world organization…how African organizations worked “changing world, a new phase hand-in-hand to bring about the of globalization”. to maximize cooperation Africa that we see today. Indeed, and collaboration for ECA, just like many other organi- Seventy years of the United Nations zations at the time, played a sig- is also time enough for Africans to mutual benefit. nificant role in the struggle for the reflect on what is next for the con- independence of front-line States tinent in terms of partnership with like Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, the world organization…how to Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and maximize cooperation and collabo- South Africa. The freedom that we ration for mutual benefit. Through enjoy today was gained through the African Union, Africa has initi-

UNECA - StaffVoice 5 Pictures that made history in the life of ECA

The UN in Africa: original model of Africa Hall being inspected by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I and Mr. Robert Gardiner, ECA Executive Secretary. This picture represents the beginning of the United Nations presence in Ethiopia

Africa Hall (where OAU was born) Africa Hall and the New ECA building

With Prof. Adedeji, Executive Secretary of ECA John First Session of the Economic Commission for Africa - 1959 Adam and Janet Murray (1978)

Ninth session of the Economic Commission for Africa held at the Africa Hall and chaired by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I

6 UNECA - StaffVoice United Nations Secretary-General U Thant accompanied by Executive Secretary Gardiner, paid an official visit to Ethiopia and attended the tenth anniversary of ECA in Addis Ababa. He had an audience with His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia to discuss the conflict in Nigeria, the Middle East situation and the Viet-Nam war, among other things ( February 1969).

R.K.Gardiner with Ato Ketema Yifru, late foreign SG Javier Perez de Cuellar, and A. Adedeji at Africa Hall during the Minister of Ethiopia Twenty-third OAU Summit held in July 1987

Presidents Girma Woldegiorgis of Ethiopia and Kenneth Late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia with K.Y. Amoako, Executive Kaunda of Zambia, and K.Y. Amoako of ECA Secretary of ECA & Amara Essy, SG of the OAU, 2001-2002

Memorial Service at Africa Hall for the late Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi

UNECA - StaffVoice 7 Executive Secretaries of the Economic Commission for Africa, 1958 - 2014

Mekki Abbas - Sudan - (1959 - 1961) Mekki Abbas was the first Executive Secretary of ECA. Under his leadership, ECA promoted statistics for African development and initiated the idea of establishing subregional offices for enhanced service delivery in all subregions. His service at ECA was cut short by his appointment as the Secretary-General’s Representative to the Congo.

Robert Kweku Gardiner, Ghana (1961-1975) In 1962, when Mr. Robert Gardiner took office as the Executive Secretary of ECA, the Commission was still in the process of establishing itself as a relevant centre for development expertise in Africa. Under his leadership, from 1962 to 1975, ECA set up an institutional framework for successful implementation of African development policies and helped to establish the African Development Bank and the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning. Under Mr. Gardiner, ECA promoted post-independence original thinking and research on African policy.

Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, Nigeria, (1975-1991) Under the leadership of Adebayo Adedeji, ECA tackled the challenges of a new international economic order for Africa and adopted landmark policies such as the Lagos Plan of Action. Mr. Adedeji worked to correct the adverse impacts of structural adjustments policies on African economies, offering the African alternative framework to structural adjustment programmes. He led the establishment of the regional economic communities, beginning with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1975, drew up the African Charter for Popular Participation, and pushed for the proclamation of UNTACDA I by the United Nations General Assembly.

Issa Diallo, Guniea (1991-1992) During his appointment as ECA Executive Secretary for a transition period of one year, Mr. Diallo launched the United Nations Transport and Communication Decade for Africa (UNTACDA II) as envisioned in the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community.

8 UNECA - StaffVoice Layashi Yaker, Algeria (1992-1995) During his mandate as Executive Secretary, Mr. Yaker led the Commission to the Rio Summit in 1992 and the subsequent effort to carry out the ECA Rio Declaration follow-up activity. He is also remembered for initiating the capacity- building of African countries for sustainable development, by devizing strategies for the implementation of Agenda 21. Mr. Yaker also led the adoption of a plan of action to harmonize the objectives of the Industrial Development Decade for Africa) within UNTACDA II), in order to facilitate implementation of both initiatives.

K.Y. Amoako, Ghana (1995 – 2005) The legacy of Mr. Amoako as an Executive Secretary of ECA was assisting African countries to leapfrog into the information age. He institutionalized the African Development Forum (ADF), whose ninth edition just ended in Morocco. He also gave special attention to promoting the integration of Africa. Under Amoako, cooperation with the AU went into full gear. Stronger ties were also forged with the World Bank, other multilateral institutions and OECD countries. The governance programme started under him and the African Centre for Gender was heightened under his watch. He also provided advisory services to African countries by establishing the Multi Regional Advisory Group with high-level regional advisors. The entire New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) programme, known then as the New African Initiative, started with him.

Abdoulie Janneh, the Gambia (2005 – 2013) Mr. Janneh will be remembered for renewing, enhancing and deepening partnerships to enable ECA to better provide support to Africa’s development agenda. Under his guidance, ECA established high-level partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society, development partners and international organizations. He stepped up the cooperation with the African Union through several mechanisms, including the UN Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) for support to the AU and its NEPAD programme. He also gave special attention to promoting regional integration and good governance in Africa.

Carlos Lopes, Guinea Bissau (2012 – Since taking office at ECA in September 2012, Mr. Lopes has brought to the Commission a vision that is premised on “Africa First” with a view to steering Africa’s own development path as well as allowing the continent to tell and own its narrative. He has repositioned the organization to serve as the think tank of reference on African development policy issues, to offer analytical insights and innovative ideas grounded by robust statistics, to accelerate Africa’s structural transformation and green industrialization drive. Mr. Lopes is also committed to bringing Africa’s development vision to the global system and its voice to international negotiations that impact Africa’s future, from climate change to trade to Africa’s common position post 2015.

UNECA - StaffVoice 9 Messages

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The United Nations at seventy

By H.E. Ambassador Berhane Gebrechristos, State Minister, of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The United Nations is turning 70. Seven decades is indeed a challenges of the organization. Ar- The purposes of the United Na- significant milestone in the life ticulating and affirming an animat- tions set forth in the Charter may of the Organization, especially as ing vision for the United Nations be encapsulated in two broad areas: we recall that its predecessor, the in the new era and strengthening maintenance of international peace League of Nations, survived a mere its role in meeting the challenges and security and promotion of two decades. Only two agencies of the twenty-first century, will international cooperation in the of the United Nations system are require, first and foremost, looking economic, social, cultural and hu- older than the United Nations - the back and carrying out an honest manitarian fields. Universal Postal Union and the assessment of the successes and International Labour Organization. shortcomings of the Organization To this ends, the organization was over the past 70 years. designed to be a centre for harmo- As a founding member of the nizing the actions of nations in the United Nations, and one of the 50 It should be recalled that in attainment of these purposes. States (only four of which were establishing the United Nations, African), which signed the charter the peoples of the United Nations As with human beings, life for in San Francisco in June 1945, were determined, in the words of any organization is not a bed of and an active participant in the the Charter, “to save succeeding roses. As we mark the start of the organization’s current peacekeeping generations from the scourge of eighth decade of the organization operations in various parts of war, to reaffirm faith in funda- the inevitable question is to what our continent, and also in past mental human rights, to establish extent the organization has met operations in Korea and the Congo, conditions under which justice the aforementioned overarching today, Ethiopia is proud to witness and respect for the obligations objectives enshrined in the charter this poignant moment in the life of arising from treaties and other in the past 70 years. the Organization. sources of international law can be maintained and to promote social Looking back at the efforts of the It goes without saying, nevertheless, progress and better standards of United Nations to promote eco- that an event such as the anniver- life in larger freedom” nomic and social development, it sary of an international organiza- would not be far from the truth to tion should not be an occasion for Following the demise of the say that the Organization’s efforts self-congratulations or celebrations League of Nations, this was the in these areas outweigh its perfor- but rather an opportune moment second experiment in less than mance in the area of maintenance for stock-taking and soul searching half a century towards an endur- of international peace and security on the achievements, setbacks and ing international system. although to its credit, its efforts in

10 UNECA - StaffVoice Messages

the area of peacekeeping, which connection, Kofi Annan, former was an innovation not envisaged Secretary-General of the United in the charter cannot be gainsaid. Nations, in presenting his annual In the African context, the stellar report to the Fifty-fourth Session of As with human performance of the United Nations the General Assembly said: beings, life for any in the area of decolonization, to which all African States, with the We leave a century of unparalleled organization is not a bed exception of three, owe their exist- suffering and violence. Our greatest of roses. As we mark ence, remains an enduring legacy and most enduring test remains our of the organization in its seventy ability to gain the respect and sup- the start of the eighth years of existence. The endeavours port of the peoples of the world. decade of the organization of the various specialized agen- cies of the United Nations system These words are as relevant today the inevitable question in their respective areas of com- as they were 15 years ago. As host petence are sufficient testimony to 27 international organizations, is to what extent the of the commendable efforts it has eight of which are regional and organization has met made in the economic, social and subregional, principally ECA and humanitarian fields for the benefit AU, Ethiopia has become a preemi- the aforementioned of all peoples of the world. nent centre of international activity overarching objectives in Africa. As such, in the pursuit This historic momentum must of the inexorable march of history enshrined in the charter continue in the decades ahead if in the life of the United Nations, in the past 70 years. the Organization is to maintain its Ethiopia reaffirms its commitment relevance in international life. Com- to the ideals of the Organization as placency or resting on our laurels enunciated in its Charter. should have no place in the ac- tivities of the Organization. In this Ghion Hotel

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Staff at the UN Day Celebration UNECA - StaffVoice 11 Messages

Economic Commission for Africa

Statement by Abdalla Hamdok Deputy Executive Secretary

It has always been a delight to speak to you as the Editor-in-chief of the UNECA Staff Voice Magazine. Let me use this opportunity to convey the appreciation of Senior Manage- ment to you and your team for the Republic of Malawi. ECA also adopted by most African coun- good work that you are doing. played roles in the establishment of a tries in the late 1980s and 1990s. I number of other regional economic strongly believe that ECA-AFSAP Let me start by saying that the communities, including the South- has continued to be vindicated, as Economic Commission for Africa ern African Development Coordina- clearly evidenced by the revival is the oldest Pan-African institu- tion Conference (now the Southern and growing prominence of de- tion. As you know so well Seble, African Development Community) velopment planning, as well as the ECA was established in 1958, some and even ECOWAS. continued recognition of the role years before the establishment of the of the State and State institutions in Organization of African Unity and Beyond assisting in the establish- the development process. In some the African Development Bank. As ment of continental development real sense therefore, we can assert a matter of fact, ECA played a major plans and institutions, ECA was without fear of contradiction that role in the processes that led to the also in the forefront in the articu- the journey of ECA has indeed been establishment of both the OAU and lation of African perspectives on the journey of Africa’s development. AfDB in the early 1960s. Since its diverse global development issues, inception, ECA has accompanied always striving to ensure that the Talking about the strengths of the the African continent in its devel- continent’s peculiar development United Nations system and specifi- opment journey on a number of challenges were taken on board. cally about the strengths of ECA fronts – including taking a lead in It has continued to support efforts in Africa, I think, by and large, the formulation of major continental by African countriesin the areas of that being part of the institutional development declarations and plans macroeconomic policy develop- landscape of the continent, ECA such as the Monrovia Declaration of ment, regional integration, trade is seen as an honest broker, which 1979, which gave rise to the Lagos policy formulation, governance, harbours no ulterior agenda beyond Plan of Action and the Full Act industrialization, agricultural devel- advancing the African agenda and of Lagos in 1980/1981; the Abuja opment and infrastructure. contributing to the creation of an Treaty in 1991 and the last kid on the atmosphere of mutual trust and block, the NEPAD initiative in 2001. One of the most remarkable water- respect among various stakeholders ECA also played a prominent role in sheds in ECA support to Africa’s in the continent’s development. the establishment of the Common development journey was its formu- Market for Eastern and Southern Af- lation of the African alternative to With regard to weaknesses, the rica (COMESA), including through structural adjustment programmes first area that comes to mind is the deployment of one of its key staff (AFSAP), which brought out the of course the constant struggle members, late Mr. Murtharika to drawbacks of structural adjustment to address the resource needs for oversee its establishment and also to programmes in Africa. You would the advancement of the African serve as its first Executive Secretary. recall that these structural adjust- agenda. Africa’s expectations from You would recall that Mr. Mur- ment programmes were initiated by ECA and the broader United N tharika later became president of the the Bretton Woods institutions and have continued to expand, even

12 UNECA - StaffVoice Messages

as available resources have been Africa. Africa has to decide what its known as Agenda 2063. Agenda shrinking because of global eco- priority needs are; as well as define 2063 seeks, among others, to define nomic hard times. To respond to and own its own agenda. The policy the development priorities for the these resource constraints, ECA of the United Nations is to support continent; identify major sectoral and the broader United Nations are Africa once it defines its agenda. policy interventions; define short-, increasingly learning to do more Here, I would like to mention that medium- and long-term plans; and with less. The other weaknesses of following the 50th anniversary also map out some scenarios for the ECA are actually a reflection of the celebration of the establishment of continent. The ECA is excited to weaknesses of the continent. These the OAU/AU, and on the heels of an be part of this process and we will include deficits in infrastructure express request from African lead- want to accompany the continent and governance challenges. ers, ECA, alongside other strategic in yet another defining journey in partners such as AfDB, joined the its development history – a jour- Let me now address the last issue African Union Commission in ney towards a more prosperous you raised on where we go from efforts to develop a new long-term and peaceful continent that would here. As I said, the United Nations vision for the continent for the next ably occupy its rightful place in the does not have a separate agenda for 50 years – in what has come to be global system.

The North Office Facility Building at the UNECA

The North Office Facility Building at the UNECA Compound hosts 6 additional UN organizations namely, UNOAU, UNAMID, UNICEF, UNOPS, WHO and the UNHCR representative to AU and ECA.”

UNECA - StaffVoice 13 Messages

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Regional Bureau for Africa

Innovation: The new currency for emergence in Africa: preliminary draft for discussion:

By Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa level has yet to happen in Africa. A stronger commitment to innovation to advance agricultural productivity The 70-year anniversary of the and education. This is building up is needed for that breakthrough. United Nations is an invitation to much needed physical and human look back at what the organiza- capital, but high-growth can only Innovation also matters in the tion has done in Africa, and also continue if accumulation goes along delivery of social services. This is an opportunity to project what the with transformation. Eventually, the a different type of innovation, and United Nations could do going returns to more and more capital while also based on science and forward. What we do has to change start coming down, while jobs and knowledge, often requires very low- with the aspirations and dynamism livelihoods will only continue to tech interventions. One example of the continent - continent that grow if economic activity occurs in is the reduction in child mortality is changing fast and where many more productive sectors. Indeed, it that some countries have registered countries aspire to be an “emerg- is only innovation – understood as in Africa. In Senegal, from 2005 to ing country.” “Emergence” is taking the application of new and existing 2010, the under-five mortality rate over the “Africa Renaissance”, which knowledge to develop improved declined by almost 10 per cent a was popular in the late 1990s. Per- products and modes of production year. A comparable reduction in In- haps because we have already wit- – can do that systematically. dia took 25 years. On average, con- nessed a renaissance in economic sidering countries for which there is growth. With “emergence,” African As an illustration, when irrigation data after 2005, the under-five child countries are saying that they want and fertilizer use improved in Asia mortality rate in Africa has been more than a rebirth in growth. They in the 1960s, there was initially little dropping by 4.2 per cent a year. want to structurally transform their gain in agricultural productivity While no single factor is respon- economies, rapidly improve the because crops were growing big- sible, the increased distribution of standards of living of their people, ger and leafier, but there was not insecticide-treated bed-nets , seems and assert their economic and po- much improvement in the quantity to have contributed to reducing the litical clout globally. of grain yielded. A scientific and incidence of malaria - in endemic technological effort was needed bt as much as a 50 per cent in some To this end, innovation is the new to develop crops that were able to countries. currency required for Africa’s devel- transform better agricultural inputs opment. Why?First, because high into more grain – the essence of This shows that the economic and economic growth rates over the what became known as the green social impact of innovation occurs long run can only be sustained with revolution. These were radical when it is diffused at scale. And innovation. Rapidly growing econo- innovations that were developed here, Africa has a huge opportunity mies in Africa are rebounding from and diffused in the unique circum- to leapfrog technologically. For conflict, selling primary commodi- stances of Asia. Despite impres- example, most of the continent’s ties at the high international prices, sive efforts in improving farming countries already have rates of or catching-up on years of underin- practices in some places, a similar adoption of cellular phones that vestment in infrastructure, health, breakthrough at the continental vastly surpass those of fixed lines.

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They did not have to go through the to-person money transfer system ing to see that the African Union fixed to mobile phone lines tran- – showed remarkable ingenuity in has just adopted a science, technol- sition. Similar developments are overcoming the unique constraints ogy and innovation strategy for conceivable with energy access, as of a developing financial system by Africa, while its Common Africa innovations keep bringing down the using the potential of mobile tech- Position for the post-2015 develop- price of solar and wind energy. nology. Launched in 2007, M-pesa ment agenda also emphasizes in- grew from 52,000 users to more novation. With deliberate national Finally, innovation is crucial for than 14 million in 2011. and regional policies, we can jointly emergence because it is an outlay make innovation happen in Africa. for the tremendous creative force Innovation is crucial for Africa’s Looking ahead to the next 70 years, of the continent, and especially its emergence, but it does not just hap- nurturing and fostering innovation youth. Africa is not merely a place pen out of the blue. It needs to be in Africa is a calling for UNDP and where technologies and ideas cre- nurtured. That is why UNDP, with the broader United Nations. ated elsewhere are diffused, but it its new strategic plan, is devot- is generated its own global innova- ing resources and putting in place tions. In Kenya, for instance, M- mechanisms to systematically sup- pesa – a cell phone based person- port innovation. It is also encourag-

United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)

Judith Karl, Executive Secretary

UNECA Staff Voice interviewed ment, UNCDF began recently appointed United Nations focusing the world’s Capital Development Fund (UN- least developed coun- CDF) Executive Secretary Judith tries in the mid-1970s. Karl, during her visit to Ethiopia From its inception, a from 17 to 19 September 2014. Ms. major part of the UN- Karl has talked about UNCDF’s his- CDF’s work has been tory and focus on the Least Devel- focused on the African oped Countries (LDCs), its unique continent. financial mandate within the United Nations system and its work in For the next twenty Africa within two core areas of ex- years UNCDF financed investments. Promoting effec- pertise: Inclusive Finance and Local stand-alone capital infrastructure – tive infrastructure investment and Development Finance. roads, bridges, irrigation schemes service delivery via decentralized by Seble Demeke – mostly in Africa. This approach public financial management has gave particular attention to the been the mainstay of UNCDF ever “The United Nations has the rural areas in order to afford the since. UNCDF started focusing on power to innovate and partner populations’ access to larger mar- how to engage local populations in with Africa to really achieve its kets and the large infrastructures the decision-making process that very ambitious goals for an inclu- being built by other organizations. governs development choices made sive growth agenda in the coming with public resources. In recent decades”. In the mid-1990s UNCDF began years, UNCDF has assisted several to focus to the role local govern- African countries to develop their Created by the General Assembly in ments could play in planning, decentralization national policies 1966 to promote economic develop- financing and maintaining capital and fiscal transfer systems. These

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national policies have become the matic framework to support the Development Finance programmes bedrock for more focused invest- development of national financial in Africa. ment of national domestic resources inclusion strategies. in local and rural economic devel- In terms of the UNCDF’s future opment. UNCD resources remain modest endeavours, the Executive Sec- compared to many multilateral retary would draw on the very Today UNCDF operates in two organizations. But it has developed strong commitment for an inclusive broad areas: Inclusive Finance a considerable track record of “lev- agenda, shown by the countries she and Local Development Finance. eraging in” larger sources of public had visited during her tour, which UNCDF has also begun work on and private capital. In the words of included Ethiopia, Uganda and catalyzing domestic finance for a 2008 assessment by the Govern- Tanzania. public-private-partnerships geared ment of Sweden, “UNCDF should to stimulating economic growth be seen as a development actor that at the local level. 70 per cent of its paves the way for others, rather portfolio is in Africa. than a financing mechanism.” In particular, UNCDF has a strong UNCDF has a unique financial experience in the African continent mandate within the UN system. of helping to pave the way for big It provides investment capital and investors to come in and replicate technical support to both the public its pilot approaches. The leverage and the private sector. The ability capacity is to the order of 1:10 from Today UNCDF to provide capital financing – in the e.g. International Financial Institu- forms of grants, soft loans and cred- tions, domestic sources and impact operates in two broad it enhancement – and the technical investors. areas: Inclusive Finance expertise in preparing portfolios of sustainable and resilient capacity Likewise many other UN agen- and Local Development building and infrastructure pro- cies, despite the growth in non- jects, positions UNCDF as an early core resources, i.e. those resources Finance. UNCDF has stage investor to de-risk opportuni- earmarked for a given programme, also begun work on ties that can later be scaled up by UNCDF regular resources remains institutional financial partners and the biggest the organization cur- catalyzing domestic increasingly by philanthropic foun- rently faces. The shortfall in core finance for public-private- dations and private sector investors. resources forced UNCDF to cancel its programming in some LDCs. partnerships geared to UNCDF has also a proven track stimulating economic record in developing local public Regular resources are, and will finance capacities, which were continue to be, at the heart of the growth at the local level. brought to a national scale by larger UNCDF’s ability to deliver results. development partners (i.e. World They finance the UNCDF long term 70 per cent of its portfolio Bank). It is also one of the devel- expertise, corporate management, is in Africa. opment agencies most involved and oversight systems. They help in promoting financial inclusion the organization build country of- through a market development fice presence and direct support to approach. From an early support the poorest and most vulnerable. to national microfinance strategies Because of desire of UNCDF to in the 1990s, UNCDF has recently be able to support all African least profoundly updated its market developed countries, UNCDF is development approach through continuing to deepen dialogue with the development of innovate global member states on partnerships to programmes to enable poor people achieve the threshold level of regu- to access financial services, and a lar resources needed to implement new diagnostic tool and program- new Inclusive Finance and Local

16 UNECA - StaffVoice Messages Fresh Corner

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United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UN@70 Personal thoughts

By Firmin Edouard Matoko, Director of UNESCO Office in Addis Ababa

The United Nations Charter adopt- independence ed in 1945 states in its preamble and the liberation that “WE THE PEOPLES OF THE of African people UNITED NATIONS DETER- from colonization MINED to save succeeding genera- and foreign domination. The inde- tions from the scourge of war (…) pendence of Congo for which the and to reaffirm faith in fundamental UN paid a high price would not human rights, in the dignity and have been possible without the in- worth of the human person, in the tervention of the UN peace forces. equal rights of men and women and The struggle of African liberation of nations large and small, and to movements have succeeded thanks establish conditions under which to the continuous support of the justice and respect for the obliga- UN. Last but not least, the end of tions arising from treaties and other the Apartheid was made possible sources of international law can be through continuous and concerted maintained, and to promote social actions of UN Member states. Only After almost progress and better standards of life 30 years ago, Africa has been total- in larger freedom….” ly freed from foreign domination. seven decades of United In spite of many gaps and “un- Nations presence in After almost seven decades of achieved businesses” (in education, United Nations presence in Africa, health, good governance, etc.), Africa, what have WE, what have WE, the AFRICAN Africa can claim today its freedom, PEOPLE, retained from the differ- its liberty of expression, its pres- the AFRICAN PEOPLE, ent interventions of the United Na- ence at the international scene, its retained from the tions on the continent? Looking at recognition as a full member of the the present situation of the major- international community. different interventions of ity of African countries, with the the United Nations on the persistence of ethnic conflicts, ex- We AFRICAN PEOPLE should be treme poverty, the highest number proud of what UN’s contribution continent? of protracted refugees and politi- to the liberation and emancipation cal instability, certainly the action of Africa. The challenge remains to of the United Nations globally make sure that all African citizens seems to have been poor. However, benefit without discrimination and African people do recognize also exclusion from the wealth of rich- that without the United Nations, ness of our continent. Africa’s picture today would have been different. The UN is still well placed to real- ize Africa’s dream to become “An The most significant action of integrated, prosperous and peaceful the UN that most of the African Africa, driven by its own citizens people would like to recall forever and representing a dynamic force in is the highest contribution to the the global arena.”

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World Food Programme (WFP)

From Addis to Malabo

By Wanja Kaaria: Deputy Director of WFP

It has been three months since I and supported by ECA and joined the WFP Africa Office. I the United Nations World am here because I believe in the Food Programme (WFP). The mission of this Office in terms of multi-country study aims to positioning WFP as a credible and demonstrate the costs to the strategic partner to the African national economy as a result of Union, the Economic Commission child under-nutrition and the for Africa and the regional eco- possible economic returns that nomic communities. It is key that can be gained if appropriate this office continues to enhance the investments in nutrition are understanding of WFP’s key role undertaken. on African Development platform in promoting sustainable food and during the Foreign Ministers meet- nutrition security in Africa. I knew In the final Malabo Declaration, ing, recommending that the TICAD this was where I needed to be, if I the Heads of State and Government process should support African wanted to make a difference in this have urged all AU member States to countries’ efforts to ensure that the continent. This is the very same consider participation in the COHA continent’s concerns are fully taken inspiration that continues to drive study in Africa to support the Sum- into account, as it strives to elimi- me today. mit’s theme of the African Year of nate stunting. Agriculture and Food Security. The 2014 was one of the best years of Malabo Declaration solidifies a pre- In addition, African Ministers of the WFP Africa Office. The Afri- vious declaration in Addis Ababa by Agriculture, Rural Development, can Union has played a key role Ministers of Finance, Planning and Fisheries and Aquaculture met at in prioritizing nutrition in the con- Economic Development calling to the African Union headquarters in tinent and in taking up the chal- scale up the study to more coun- Addis Ababa on the first week of lenge of addressing the continent’s tries. May 2014 where they deliberated nutrition problems. During the and charted the way forward for 22nd Ordinary Session of the AU As we went from the Addis Decla- transforming Agriculture in Africa. Assembly, the Heads of State and ration to the Malabo Declaration The Ministers made reference to the Government appointed King Letsie by Heads of States, we have seen findings of the Cost of Hunger in III of Lesotho as the African Nutri- great success. The first report of Africa study which reported the im- tion Champion with the mandate the Cost of Hunger in Africa study pacts of under-nutrition on social of advocating to eliminate child from Egypt, Ethiopia, Swaziland and economic developments. under-nutrition. Furthermore dur- and Uganda jointly produced by ing the 23rd AU Summit in Equa- the AUC, ECA and the WFP, was Having been discussed in several torial Guinea leaders resolved to launched in March 2014 in Abuja, high level platforms, the results of move towards an AU declaration Nigeria during a high level event COHA have the potential to ignite on the Cost of Hunger in Africa organized on the sidelines of the strong and decisive actions and study – an endorsement at the Seventh Joint AU and ECA Con- push for stronger political com- highest level possible by Heads of ference of African Ministers of mitment and for the need of a African states. Finance, Planning and Economic comprehensive response from the Development. social development sector. It is now The Cost of Hunger Study in Africa (COHA)is a project led by the Furthermore, COHA was placed on Continued on page 76 African Union Commission (AUC) the Tokyo International Conference

UNECA - StaffVoice 19 Messages

World Health Organization (WHO)

Dr Pierre M’Pele-Kilebou, Representative to Ethiopia

“The United Nations is for the united people from all corners of the world. The success of the United Nations is for all, but its failure, is only for us, the staff. Peace, solidarity, better health and quality of life, can be achieved if we, the United Nations work as One with the united people of the world.”

5% discount for20 UN UNECA Staff - UnionStaffVoice Members Messages

Kofi Annan Foundation, Africa and the United Nations: A personal perspective

By Alan Doss, Executive Director

“Kofi Annan is the founding chair develop- of the Kofi Annan Foundation. ment. With the foundation, Mr. Annan However, drives action towards a fairer, more this trend secure world by promoting sus- must not tainable development, peace and serve as false veneer of democratic As the Africa security, and human rights”. legitimacy. The UN has a critical Progress Panel has pointed role to play in throwing its weight Since the early days of the inde- behind Africa’s popular democratic out, Africa loses twice as pendence struggles, the United Na- aspirations. much in illicit financial tions has been an enduring partner for Africa. My own UN career Let us remember too that the road outflows as it receives in began in Africa where I went to to democracy and development work in 1966 at the UNDP office in must be bolstered by policies and international aid. Nairobi, led then by a distinguished practices that promote transpar- ECA alumnus, Bernard Chidzero. ency and trust. As the Africa In the years that followed, I found Progress Panel has pointed out, myself returning every decade to Africa loses twice as much in illicit can countries. As the international live and work Africa, a witness to financial outflows as it receives community considers the post-2015 its advances and its agonies, to its in international aid. This is not agenda, the United Nations has to tragedies and triumphs. Africa’s problem alone. Foreign ensure that the new goals reflect companies and governments must the complexity and diversity of Today, the mood is more optimistic also sign on to and implement the the development challenges facing than ever despite the dark shadow same principles of responsibility the continent and makes sure that cast by the Ebola crisis. Africa is and accountability. Africa’s voice is heard in the debate changing, and it is changing rapidly. and decisions. With seven of the world’s fastest- Africa remains the only continent growing economies on the conti- that cannot feed itself — a deeply At the Kofi Annan Foundation, nent, and a rapidly rising middle- worrying fact given that its popula- we ever mindful of the timeless class, the continent’s perception in tion is projected to double by 2050 advice of our founder (another the world is shifting quite decisively. and that climate change is forecast distinguished ECA alumnus) that to hit Africa hard. Agricultural there can be no long-term de- The United Nations through the productivity at present is less than velopment without security and UNECA and other UN institu- a third of what it could be. But no long-term security without tions will continue to partner with with the right policies, Africa has development. Nor will any society Africa taking account both of the the potential to become an agricul- remain prosperous for long with- profound changes that are occur- tural superpower. The UN is well out the rule of law and respect for ring and the huge challenges that placed to assist Africa achieve that human rights. That is the endur- remain. ambition. ing lesson of experience that we and the United Nations must heed The spread of multi-party politics Many of the goals formulated in the and apply in our continuing com- and regular elections is a welcome MDGs remain out of reach for Afri- mitment to Africa and its peoples.

UNECA - StaffVoice 21 Africa Cheetah Run The Executive Secretary’s Blog

Innovative Financing a Must for Africa

A mythical figure of African history, many as unsta- the Moroccan Ibn Battuta, consid- ble and inse- ered one of the greatest travelers cure, and prone of all times, arrived in Somalia in to disease, yet 1331. He was surprised with Moga- again, as seen dishu’s prosperity. He described by the hysteria this port city has being full of rich around Ebola. merchants, particularly active on Ebola affects 3 the exports to many countries of countries that high quality local fabrics. Its Sultan represent less Abu Bakr Umar had a well estab- than one per- lished government with wazirs, cent of Africa’s GDP, or 3 weeks of banization opportunities or climate legal experts, commanders and tax the Nigerian economy. change challenges, time has come collectors. to address more squarely the key The lessons to retain from Soma- question of how to finance Africa’s Today’s Mogadishu, six centuries lia, apart from the need to move transformation. The old way, beg- later, continues to be an amazingly towards a peaceful and attractive ging for aid? Is there a new way? active port, despite decades of a environment, are more related to How should Africa prepare for the devastating civil war. It continues to the economy. finance for development large UN be an exporter. The problem is that Conference it will host in Addis instead of high quality fabrics it has Africans feel legitimately proud Ababa in 2015? A discussion, more shifted to bovine, sheep and goats, about their growth achievements crucial for Africa than any other or lower value addition, in the over the last decade and a half; and region? jargon of the economists. The cost how resilient to exogenous shocks of all the war fronts, from piracy their economies have been. The Africa learned from the financial response to terrorism, exceeds its October IMF outlook says it all: crash of 2008 the importance to export value. Today’s government Africa as a whole will be expected build on strong foundations. This does not have a tax collection sys- to grow above 5% in 2014. Howev- requires a paradigm shift in the tem as efficient as Abu Bakr Umar’s. er, Africans, normally, are stunned mind of the fund managers and when they learn their manufactur- capital market perception and How is it possible that one of the ing value addition has been going thinking about Africa. few countries with one language, down during the same period, religion and ethnic group could from an already very low base (it Private equity in Africa demonstrat- have been moving backwards for currently stands at 9% of combined ed that benefits do not only accrue so long? GDP). That is one of the reasons to limited partners, general partners we call for structural transforma- and portfolio companies, but also to The reasons for such dramatic tion; and we say it has to be quali- Africans through local and regional developments are complex. But fied in the form of higher agricul- markets. Africa, might have finally some lessons should be learned tural productivity, modernizing found a way to whet the appetite from glorious Somalia, since most and formalizing the large service of private equity investors. Private of Africa has moved out of violent sector, better use of the natural equity is an alternative source of conflict. In fact the continent has resources richness and, of course, capital that spans across infrastruc- today less turmoil than Asia, and industrialization. ture, health services, agriculture close to 90% of its population is no and underserved but high return longer exposed to war and com- After two years debating structural investment. Each success breeds plex emergencies. Despite the gains transformation and its impera- new opportunities and a resound- in the Africa narrative, the conti- tives, such as regional integration, ing narrative for the transformation nent continues to be perceived by demographic dividend and ur- of Africa.

22 UNECA - StaffVoice The ability to strengthen, build and an increased pool of well-educated Illicit financial flow is another preserve capital in Africa is in line and enterprising workers. scandal that needs a closer look. with Africa’s search for innova- The real test is the confidence that If the continent finds itself at the tive financing mechanisms. In the capital will afford to Africa by bottom of the Transparency Index recent years, African governments resisting the temptation of a flitting is as much because the current have taken an active role in chang- experience. The reality is that Africa state of affairs serves the interests ing the investment landscape. Aid cannot rely on development aid for of those who rank it as it is because is no longer the panacea. This shift the transformation agenda, there- of the local beneficiaries of corrup- is associated with evidence-based fore its appetite is moving towards tion. Denouncing illicit financial policies. Economic activity thrives private investment and domestic flows is not just a moral impera- at the confluence of multiple resource mobilization. tive. It is a good input for trans- sources of capital. As Africa’s build formative policies too. its reputation in the global capital In a changing world, governments market, each success story estab- can no longer ignore the blurred Africa’s migrants are sending in lishes it as a destination for global lines between private and social excess of US$ 50 billion, paying the capital flows. Driving them to sectors. Impact investing with its world’s highest transfer fees on top transformational projects is what focus on better outcomes has the of their human sacrifice. The use of is expected from governments that potential to transform social desires this asset class is far from produc- are strategic and focussed. into successful outcomes. tive right now. With a few excep- tions recipient countries have a long Notwithstanding the backbone of For instance it is true that a key way to go to establish attractive the transformation agenda, infra- challenge facing Africans today vehicles for these funds. structure, Africa offers opportuni- continues to be food security, along ties in road, rail transport, energy, with the development of a sustain- Global impact investments account- water, mineral resources exploita- able agricultural sector. In particu- ed for about US $8 billion in 2012, tion, and agro-business and indus- lar, the African agricultural sector a third of it going to Africa. Impact trial development. The opportunity is deficient in capital needed to investments are clearly an emerging to diversify an investors’ portfo- improve farm productivity, enhance and innovative source of finance lio is not negligible. However, it crop yields and produce more food that has the potential to become an remains a challenge given the stark for local consumption. Studies show important complement to tradition- lack of liquidity and the scarce that growth in the agricultural sec- al investments. Impact investments access to capital markets. African tor has a thrice greater impact on can have both direct and indirect regulatory bodies need to engage poverty reduction than growth in positive effects on human develop- meaningfully with private equity other sectors. ment in areas such as education, funds to understand the legal and health and the environment. regulatory requirement for a radi- Climate finance offer unique ant African ecosystem. windows to deal with both climate My dream is that when African change and the repositioning of children enter a history class and African governments have re- Africa has a cleaner producer, by read Ibn Battuta’s descriptions, they sponsibilities to fulfil in order to leapfrogging technological plat- will feel like any other children create an enabling environment. forms and tapping the exceptional from a modern, inclusive and de- National, regional and continental renewable energy potential of the veloped part of the world. African ecosystems must be upgraded to continent. children should feel amazed about better support large scale invest- how much Ibn has travelled but, ments. Africa has come a long way. The potential of domestic resource also, how much their own societies It, now, has increasingly stable and mobilization is immense. From bet- have travelled; because they will predictable economic and political ter contract negotiations of extrac- know their continent, Africa, is the environment. Its reducing political tive and other natural resources, to new development frontier. This is in and economic risk provides more improved tax systems, or better use our hands. This is possible. confidence for investors. Gov- of sovereign funds and reserves, ernments’ efforts for structural Africa has been short-changed by Theme Category: Macroeconomic transformation are supported by lack of appropriate policies. Policy

UNECA - StaffVoice 23 Africa Cheetah Run The Executive Secretary’s Blog

Les Financements Innovants sont une Obligation Pour L’Afrique

Une personnalité mythique de de l’Afrique l’histoire africaine, le Marocain Ibn ayant connu des Battuta, que l’on considère comme conflits violents. l’un des plus grands voyageurs de En fait, le con- tous les temps, est arrivé en Soma- tinent connaît lie en 1331. Surpris par la prospé- aujourd’hui rité de Mogadiscio, il disait de cette moins de trou- ville portuaire qu’elle était peuplée bles que l’Asie, de riches marchands, particulière- et près de 90 % ment actifs dans le domaine des de sa population n’est plus expo- 9 % du PIB combiné). C’est l’une exportations de tissus locaux de sée à la guerre ou à des situations des raisons pour lesquelles nous grande qualité vers de nombreux d’urgence complexes. Même si appelons à la transformation struc- pays. Le Sultan, Abou Bakr Omar, l’image de l’Afrique s’est améliorée, turelle, et que cela doit se traduire avait mis en place une solide ad- le continent continue d’être perçu selon nous par l’amélioration de la ministration comprenant des vizirs, par beaucoup comme instable, peu productivité agricole, la moderni- des juristes, des commandants et sûr et vulnérable face à la maladie, sation et la formalisation du vaste des percepteurs. comme l’a montré encore une fois secteur des services, une meilleure l’hystérie autour d’Ébola. Le virus utilisation des très riches ressources Le Mogadiscio d’aujourd’hui, six touche trois pays qui représentent naturelles du continent et, bien sûr, siècles plus tard, reste un port moins d’un pour cent du PIB de l’industrialisation. incroyablement actif, malgré l’Afrique, ou trois semaines de des décennies d’une guerre civ- l’économie nigériane. Après deux ans de débats autour ile dévastatrice. La ville continue de la transformation structurelle d’exporter. Le problème est que, au Les leçons à retenir de la Somalie, et de ses impératifs, comme lieu de tissus de qualité, elle exporte outre la nécessité d’aller vers un en- l’intégration régionale, le dividende désormais des bovins, des moutons vironnement pacifique et attrayant, démographique, les perspec- et des chèvres ou des produits à ont davantage trait à l’économie. tives d’urbanisation ou encore faible valeur ajoutée, comme disent les défis découlant des change- les économistes. Le coût des fléaux Les Africains sont légitimement ments climatiques, le temps est de la guerre, de la piraterie au ter- fiers de la croissance qu’ils ont venu de répondre vraiment à la rorisme, est supérieur au montant enregistrée au cours des quinze grande question de savoir com- des exportations. Le Gouvernement dernières années, et de la façon ment financer la transformation de actuel ne dispose pas d’un système dont leurs différentes économies l’Afrique. À l’ancienne, en suppli- de recouvrement de l’impôt aussi ef- ont résisté face aux chocs exogènes. ant pour obtenir de l’aide? Existe- ficace que celui d’Abou Bakr Omar. Les perspectives que le FMI vient de t-il un autre moyen? Comment publier en octobre sont éloquentes: l’Afrique doit-elle se préparer pour Comment est-il possible que l’un l’Afrique dans son ensemble devrait la grande Conférence de l’ONU sur des rares pays à n’avoir qu’une seule enregistrer une croissance de plus le financement du développement, langue, une seule religion et un de 5 % en 2014. Pourtant, et ce qu’elle accueillera à Addis-Abeba en seul groupe ethnique ait pu reculer n’est pas étonnant, les Africains 2015? C’est un débat qui revêt plus autant et pendant si longtemps? sont stupéfaits quand ils appren- d’importance pour l’Afrique que nent que la valeur ajoutée dans le pour toute autre région? Les raisons de cette évolution secteur manufacturier a diminué tragique sont complexes mais l’on a au cours de la même période, alors L’Afrique a tiré les enseignements certainement à apprendre de cette qu’elle se trouvait déjà à un niveau de la débâcle financière de 2008 et glorieuse Somalie, la majeure partie très bas (elle s’élève actuellement à compris l’importance de prendre

24 UNECA - StaffVoice appui sur une base solide. Il faut l’élément clef du programme de Dans un monde en pleine muta- pour cela un changement de para- transformation, il existe en Afrique tion, il n’est plus possible pour les digme dans l’esprit des gestionnaires des perspectives d’investissement gouvernements de faire abstraction de fonds, en particulier s’agissant de dans des secteurs tels que le trans- de la distinction de plus en plus la façon est perçue l’Afrique sur les port routier et ferroviaire, l’énergie, floue entre le secteur privé et le marchés des capitaux. l’eau, l’exploitation des ressources secteur social. Les investissements minières, l’agro-alimentaire et le d’impact axés sur l’amélioration des L’expérience du capital-investisse- développement industriel. La pos- résultats peuvent concrétiser les ment en Afrique a démontré que sibilité offerte aux investisseurs de désirs de la société. les bénéfices ne se limitent pas aux diversifier leur portefeuille n’est commanditaires, aux commandités pas négligeable, mais elle demeure Par exemple, il est vrai que pour les et aux sociétés d’investissement; un défi compte tenu de l’absence Africains, la sécurité alimentaire et l’Afrique en profite aussi par marquée de liquidités et l’accès le développement d’une agriculture l’intermédiaire des marchés locaux limité aux marchés de capitaux. durable constituent toujours un défi et régionaux. Il se peut qu’elle ait, Les organismes de réglementa- majeur. Plus particulièrement, le en fin de compte, trouvé le moyen tion africains doivent instaurer un secteur agricole en Afrique manque d’aiguiser l’appétit des investisseurs véritable dialogue avec les fonds des capitaux nécessaires pour amé- privés. Le capital-investissement est d’investissement pour bien com- liorer la productivité et les rende- une autre source de capitaux, qui prendre les règles à respecter sur ments et produire davantage pour peut s’appliquer aux infrastructures, les plans juridique et réglementaire la consommation locale. Des études aux services de santé, à l’agriculture pour promouvoir un écosystème montrent que la croissance du sect- et aux secteurs mal desservis mais dynamique en Afrique. eur agricole a trois fois plus d’impact à haut rendement. Chaque exemple sur la réduction de la pauvreté que de réussite ouvre des perspectives Les gouvernements africains ont des la croissance d’autres secteurs. nouvelles et montre de façon écla- responsabilités à assumer afin de tante la transformation de l’Afrique. créer un environnement porteur. Il Le financement climatique offre convient d’améliorer les écosystèmes des perspectives uniques pour faire La capacité de renforcer, mobiliser aux niveaux national, régional et face aux changements climatiques et préserver les capitaux en Afrique continental pour encourager davan- et redéfinir la position de l’Afrique correspond à la recherche de mé- tage les investissements à grande comme étant un producteur plus canismes de financement innovants échelle. L’Afrique a fait des progrès propre, en contournant les plates- sur ce continent. Ces dernières considérables et son environne- formes technologiques et en années, les gouvernements afric- ment économique et politique est exploitant le potentiel exceptionnel ains ont contribué activement à de plus en plus stable et prévisible. d’énergies renouvelables dont est la modification des possibilités La réduction des risques politiques doté le continent. d’investissement. L’aide n’est plus la et économiques renforce la confi- panacée. Cette évolution va de pair ance des investisseurs. Les initiatives La mobilisation des ressources avec des politiques reposant sur des prises par les gouvernements en nationales a un potentiel immense. bases concrètes. L’activité économ- matière de transformation struc- Qu’il s’agisse de mieux négocier les ique prospère grâce à la multiplicité turelle s’appuient sur un nombre contrats d’exploitation des ressourc- des sources de capitaux. À mesure croissant d’individus ayant la forma- es minières ou d’autres ressources que la réputation de l’Afrique tion requise et l’esprit d’entreprise. naturelles, d’améliorer la fiscalité grandit sur les marchés des capitaux ou de mieux utiliser les fonds au niveau mondial, chaque initia- Le vrai critère est la confiance que souverains et les réserves des pays, tive particulièrement réussie fait du les capitaux accorderont à l’Afrique, l’Afrique a souffert du manque de continent une destination de choix en résistant à la tentation d’une ex- politiques appropriées. pour les flux mondiaux de capitaux. périence sans lendemain. La réalité On attend de gouvernements dotés est que l’Afrique ne peut compter Les flux illicites de capitaux sont d’une vision stratégique qu’ils se sur l’aide au développement pour se un autre scandale sur lequel nous servent de ces capitaux pour financ- transformer; elle s’oriente donc vers devons nous pencher de plus près. er des projets de transformation. l’investissement privé et la mobilisa- Si le continent se trouve tout en bas Bien que les infrastructures soient tion des ressources nationales. de l’Indice de transparence, c’est

UNECA - StaffVoice 25 tout autant en raison de la situation actuelle qui sert les intérêts de ceux ECA boss Carlos Lopes qui établissent le classement que de ceux qui profitent de la corruption receives the Lifetime Africa dans les pays. Le fait de dénoncer les flux illicites de capitaux est non Achievement Prize seulement un impératif moral; cela contribue aussi à l’élaboration de Economic Commission for politiques de transformation. Africa’s Executive Secretary, Carlos Lopes has been awarded Les migrants africains envoient the prestigious Lifetime Africa plus de 50 milliards de dollars des Achievement Prize (LAAP) États-Unis et, outre le sacrifice que by the Millennium Excellence cela représente pour eux, ils paient Foundation for his contribu- les commissions de transfert les tions to overturn Africa’s eco- plus élevées du monde. À l’heure nomic fortunes, in the category actuelle, l’utilisation de cette catégo- Action for Africa .The award rie d’actifs est loin d’être productive. ceremony took place in Lagos, À de rares exceptions près, les pays Nigeria on October 10. bénéficiaires ont encore beaucoup à faire pour trouver des moyens The Action for Africa LAAP, is Carlos Lopes is amongst 16 intéressants d’utiliser ces fonds. given to an individual with fore- other prominent laureates of the sight and visionary political ide- 2014 LAAP which include the En 2012, les investissements als that contributes towards the President of Nigeria, Goodluck d’impact ont représenté environ 8 transformation of Africa from Jonathan, and former Malian milliards de dollars dans le monde being dictatorship to democratic Prime Minister, Cheick Modibo et un tiers d’entre eux sont allés en governance that yield economic Diarra.x Afrique. Il s’agit là d’une nouvelle gains to propel Africa’s growth source novatrice de financement and development. For further reading please go qui pourrait bien devenir un com- to:www.uneca.org plément important des placements traditionnels. Les investissements d’impact peuvent avoir des effets Dr. Carlos Lopes was appointed by Secretary-General Ban positifs directs et indirects sur le Ki-moon as the eighth Executive Secretary of the Economic développement humain dans des domaines tels que l’éducation, la Commission for Africa, at the level of UN Under Secretary- santé et l’environnement. General, in September 2012. Dr. Lopes previously served as Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Mon rêve est que les enfants afric- Training and Research (UNITAR) in Geneva and Director of ains, lorsqu’ils étudieront les expé- the UN System Staff College in Turin at the level of Assistant ditions d’Ibn Battuta en histoire, Secretary-General from March 2007 to August 2012. se sentent comme tous les autres enfants des pays développés et modernes de la planète. Les enfants Dr. Lopes was appointed UN Assistant-Secretary-General africains doivent s’émerveiller non and Director for Political Affairs in the Executive Office of the seulement des nombreux voyages Secretary-General during the period 2005 to 2007. effectués par Ibn Battuta, mais aussi du long chemin parcouru par leur propre pays, et ils sauront alors que leur continent, l’Afrique, est le nouvel eldorado. Ce rêve est à notre portée, ce rêve peut devenir réalité.

26 UNECA - StaffVoice UN Day Celebration at the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA ): 24 October 2014

By Seble Demeke

The United Nations around the world celebrates the signing of its Charter in San Francisco on 24 to the meeting Mr. Hamdok stated October 1945. The celebration of that the ECA has had Tree Planting the 69th anniversary at ECA was Ceremonies in the past as part of our marked by the traditional planting of efforts to green and further beautify a tree. This year planting ceremony our complex. Building upon this was exceptional as it was devoted excellent experience, he further in- to a special tree that survived the dicated, the event of this day is very bombing of Hiroshima during the special because of the symbolism Second World War. “These trees, surrounding the special species of which withstood the atomic bomb- trees that were planted – the Hiro- ing, are highly symbolic of life itself” shima Peace trees. H.E. Ambassador H.E. Ambasssador Kazuhiro Suzuki and are known as a symbol of peace Kazuhiro Suzuki made his remarks around the world. Addis Ababa, the as indicated below. capital and diplomatic city of Africa, Planting a tree is more than just where the ECA is situated became Mr. Eugene Owusu, UNDP Ethiopia beautiful and joyful. In the pro- the second city in Africa where these Resident Representative, cess of protecting and nurturing trees have been planted while the Mr. Abdalla Hamdok, Deputy Ex- a tree, we are able to learn about first one was in South Africa. ecutive Secretary ECA, the preciousness of life, the impor- Ms. Lulit Zewde, Acting Director- tance of coexistence with nature, During this occasion serveral General of the International Organi- of diversity, and of generosity. It remarks were made namely the mes- zation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of could be said that planting a tree sages of United Nations Secretary the Federal Democratic Republic of is building peace. We can also be General, Ban Ki Moon, remarks by Ethiopia, encouraged by the resilience of the ECA Deputy Excutive Secretary Distinguished Guests, trees. That is especially true of this Abdalla Hamdok, H.E. Ambassador Ladies and Gentlemen, tree, whose original tree survived a Kuzuhiro Suzuki, a special guest and nuclear devastation and then went by Ms. Lulit Zewde, Acting Director- It is a great pleasure for me to be on to produce offspring. We need to General of the International Organi- here at this tree planting ceremony make sure that those offspring are zation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of United Nations never subjected to the destruction representing the host country. This Day. I wish to thank everyone here that their ancestor experienced. So year’s message of the UN Secretary for holding this ceremony. I am when we gaze upon this tree, let us General dipicted the state of the honoured to witness this Hiroshima remember where it came from and world and reiterated the on-going sapling, a symbol of peace, being effort of the UN family in addressing planted in the capital of diplomacy Continued on page 76 the global current affairs. Speaking in Africa, Addis Ababa.

UNECA - StaffVoice 27 Inauguration of the North Office Facility Building at the UNECA compound to host United Nations Agencies

By Seble Demeke

History has been made again in this capital city of Africa, Ad- dis Ababa on 28 October 2014 by the inauguration of the New ECA Office Facility. This addition of more facilities will contribute to the efforts being undertaken by the UN system organizations to deliver as one and makes ECA the third largest UN duty stations after New York and Geneva. Some fifty years ago in 1961 the first Africa Hall where the OAU charter was signed, was inaugurated by H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. This historic building is the very first one which was constructed by the UNECA, followed by its Secretariat Building. This action is being repeated and the New ECA Office Facility is now inaugurated some fifty years later by H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Mr. Ban ki-Moon, the eighth Secretary- General of the United Nations.

The presence of host country rep- resentatives, diplomats, heads of agencies and staff of UN system or- ganizations made the event colorful and meaningful with unspoken but understood message of ownership by all. The Facility will house 6 ad- ditional UN organizations namely, UNOAU, UNAMID, UNICEF, Clockwise from top: Ribbon cutting ceremony by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and UNOPS, WHO and the UNHCR the Secretary-General of the United Nations; The opening of the curtain of the new office facility; Ato. Firew Tedela, managing director of Rama Construction which representative to AU and ECA. constructed the building; The PM of Ethiopia, the SG of the UN, the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, the ES of ECA and the heads of UN Agencies in Addis Ababa Statements made during the inau- guration by designated speakers, Statements made during the inauguration by designated speakers, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the Secretary–General of the Secretary–General of the United United Nations and the Executive Secretary of ECA are available on Nations and the Executive Secretary the staff union website. of ECA are indicated below. www.uneca.org/staff-union

28 UNECA - StaffVoice ECA’s Publishing and Distribution Unit wins 2014 UN 21 Award for Efficiency

By Seble Demeke

The annual UN 21 award is a system The chief of DPU Mr. Charles Ndungu with the SG during the Award Ceremony for honouring outstanding staff initiatives from UN offices around Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in Watch this space for future the world. Staff members are invited New York on the 24th November. digital innovations on print- to submit projects that stand out for on-demand for ECA flagship their ingenuity, efficiency and excel- WE CONGRATULATE OUR publications. lence in the delivery of the Organiza- PDU COLLEAGUES FOR SUCH tion’s programmes and services. AN ACHIEVEMENT.

Any staff member in the Secre- ECA Executive Secretary Mr. Carlos Lopes paid a visit to tariat can nominate themselves the staff of the Publishing and Distribution Unit on Monday or a team for the UN 21 Award. 24 November 2014 to hand them letters of recognition for Managers are invited to encourage staff members to participate and winning the UN 21 Award in the efficiency category. may wish to nominate deserving projects for consideration.

Five categories were identified for the selection of this year’s nominees: • Efficiency • Innovation • Outstanding vision • Service beyond the call of duty • UN values

Over 75 submissions were received from the UN wide system and the ECA’s Publication and Distribution The ES with PDS staff when he visited the printshop to congradulate them Unit was selected as the winner in the Efficiency category for achiev- ing ISO 14001:2004 certification.

Team spirit and commitment from the Staff in PDS/PDU made this pos- sible. Great moment “ says Charles Ndungu , Chief of the Unit who The ES decorates Charles Ndungu Elias Ayalew receives letter of received a certificate, a pin and the with UN 21 Awards pin recognition from the ES UN Charter from United Nations

UNECA - StaffVoice 29 President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, visits the Africa Hall on Wednesday, 5 November 2014

By Seble Demeke

The President being received by the ES, ECA Upon his arrival, the President was received by Carlos Lopes, Execu- tive Secretary of ECA. He had a had struggled for their independ- tion could only happen if African warm and friendly welcome from ence, been through civil war and Governments “individually, and in the diplomatic community in Addis had had to flee from hunger and concert within the African Union Ababa and United Nations staff. His famine, so they knew the pain and and other forces for regional co-

The President being received by the ES, ECA address took place in the Confer- suffering of being away from their operation, delivered on the aspira- ence Hall of the historic Africa homes. Ireland understood the tions for peace and security of their Hall, where the founding fathers of difficulties and challenges that Af- citizens”. the Organization of African Unity rica had been through in the past signed its Charter in May 1963. fifty years or so to obtain freedom He made it clear that peace and from colonization and set up new stability would not be achieved on The President began by express- institutions that would look after the African continent and globally ing his appreciation for the warm the independence and well-being unless the problem of the millions hospitality extended to him and of the continent. He pointed out of men, women and children who his delegation by the Executive that “today Africa is at a critical had to leave their homes to search Secretary. Among the members of juncture of its development. The for refuge elsewhere was solved. He his delegation was Ireland’s Minis- discourse has moved on from war said that this issue was an “issue ter of State with responsibility for and disadvantage to debates about that concerns us all, and not just Overseas Development Assistance, vindicating human rights and the the countries first affected and their Trade Promotion and North South nature of citizenship in culturally immediate neighbours”. cooperation, Seán Sherlock. diverse settings. As Léopold Sédar Senghor put it, ‘Africa is not an To read the President’s speech The Irish delegation’s visit would idea, it is a knot of realities’ – re- in full, please see: http://www. take in three African countries: alities that can be shaped in order uneca.org/sites/default/files/ Ethiopia, Malawi and South Africa. to deliver human progress and uploaded-documents/irish_presi- The purpose of these visits, he said, sustainable development”. dent_speech_-_uneca.pdf. was “to reinforce Ireland’s bilateral relations with each of the three The President also spoke about, countries”. among other things, the positive results of regional economic coop- The President stated that Africa eration for boosting inter-African and Ireland had a similar history trade, which would benefit ordinary when it came to famine, migra- people. He further pointed out that tion and colonization. The Irish positive thinking and imagina-

30 UNECA - StaffVoice

Contributions / African Union

Long-live the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union

By Ambassador Olawale I. Maiyegun, Director for Social Affairs Department African Union Commission (AUC)

At the time of the interview the mission (AUC). A good example AUC was in the process of putting is the Joint Meeting of Ministers of together a civil-military medical Finance, Economic Development mission to support the AU Mem- and Planning. Looking back 10 ber States and to fill the gaps in the years, what was striking was the ration. When we initiate action, international response to the Ebola challenge to the UN bodies of the they work with us by associating Outbreak. principle of “Delivering as One” and supporting it fully. They use and this will continue to be so for their country offices to effectively AU has ambassadorial, ministerial some time to come due to overlap- deliver. Another good example of and Summit convening power and, ping mandates. such action is the Campaign on in matters of peacekeeping, has Accelerated Reduction of Maternal demonstrated that it can go into Therefore, I see the partnership Mortality in Africa (CARMMA), places where the international com- continue in a stronger form which being conducted with the full sup- munity is reluctant, using UN sup- provides AU with a cover un- port of UNFPA since May 2009 port. Cases in point are the current der the UN system as the moral when the African Union launched operations in Somalia, Darfur and authority of the UN Secretary- CARMMA to trigger concerted the Central African Republic. On General is acknowledged and re- and increased action towards the economic front, AU has always spected. The feedback we get most improving maternal and newborn initiated action which the UN has of the time from the UN organiza- health and survival across the con- been quick to support. NEPAD is tions is… give us the lead and we tinent. AU decides what it wants a good example. Therefore, when will support. UNAIDS, UNFPA, to do and secures the full support we look at the role of the United UNICEF, OCHA are concrete ex- from its UN partners… an action Nations, it must be seen from the amples of such successful collabo- which also avoids duplication. standpoint of partnership. AU is developing its own brand name. We believe that the AU should lead and that the UN should support appropriately. Such partnerships should be forged wherever the AU has comparative advantages be- cause more and more Africans are asking the AU to do more. It is to the mutual advantage of the UN to continue to be a good partner.

Indeed, as a regional commission, ECA itself is giving what the UN can to Africa within the terms of delivering on its mandate, and has been careful not to duplicate ef- forts with the African Union Com- A joint meeting of AU/WHO on Ebola

32 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions / African Union

What Africa decides, the organiza- development should go hand in tions should follow. In terms of hand, this makes ECA’s mandate, cooperating with the agencies, one as it is, even more relevant. ECA cluster that has done well is the is expanding its social develop- social development cluster. It has ment and the cooperation between delivered because we say that UN ECA and AUC on social issues is Your partners have every stake in the excellent. Both the AUC and ECA cause and should come support need to focus on human capital it. The norm should be that AU development because investment Comments develops the agenda and the UN in human capital development is agencies come to support it. We necessarily an investment in eco- are working very well with ECA, nomic development. about for example, in the area of Gender. The point I am trying to make is that we need to come together to serve the people of the continent. Staff Voice

As I mentioned earlier, there is overlapping of mandates in the are most UN System. While HIV/AIDS is the programme of UNAIDS, every Indeed, as a UN agency has an HIV/AIDS unit. regional commission, ECA welcome That is mere duplication. The fact remains that short of prevention, itself is giving what the the aim of the campaign against HIV is to develop a vaccine... UN can to Africa within the terms of delivering on My message is that the UN should continue to be a good partner and its mandate, and has been that the UN agencies should give careful not to duplicate assistance and support. Increas- ingly, the line between social and efforts with the African economic progress is blurred. For Union Commission instance, virtually all the MDGs are social in nature. Also, there is (AUC). A good example beginning to be a paradigm shift in the way we perceive peace and se- is the Joint Meeting of curity as a precondition for socio- Ministers of Finance, economic development. It is now clear that neither is a precondition Economic Development for the other and that we need to and Planning. tackle both simultaneously. Social and economic development should go hand in hand. This must even be applied to post-conflict situa- tions where the rule of law becomes the first casualty of conflict and the social fabric needs to be restored [email protected] immediately after conflict to pre- vent another cycle of violence. Because social and economic

UNECA - StaffVoice 33 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes

United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) and portantly in Ethiopia, women Coordinator of the UN Country Team in Ethiopia. play major roles in agriculture, Eugene Owusu trade, services and entrepreneur- ship, boosting their own and their UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the United Na- families’ incomes and the develop- tions Charter. It is commemorated around the world, and it is a time to renew ment of their communities. Hence, our pledge to live up to the founding ideals of the United Nations and to rededi- to achieve our development goals cate ourselves to work together for peace, development and human rights. in Ethiopia and Africa, all partners must commit to ensuring equality for women. This includes providing women equal pay for equal work; an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives; access to resources and quality education; a life free from violence; and support for a woman’s fundamental rights. It is for this reason that the UN Country Team in Ethiopia has chosen the theme “Empower women, empower a na- tion” for the UN week celebrations.

Partnership –with government institutions, development partners, donors, civil society organizations UN Resident Coordinator Eugene Owusu joining the heads of agencies in advocating and the private sector–also con- for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) tinues to be critical to our work and we will keep building on that Ethiopia was one of the found- as a strategic emphasis. Our joint ing member states to have signed efforts can bring greater impact as the United Nations Charter. The In celebrating no single institution, government or UN has been working with the this year’s United Nations country can do everything by itself. people of Ethiopia since then, and today 26 UN agencies, funds, and Day, the “UN comes In many respects, our world today programs are based in the country, is a far different place than what working in every region, to help as one” to renew its it was when the UN was founded create a better life for millions of commitment to support nearly 70 years ago. But much people in an environment where remains unchanged. The world still everyone can participate in and Ethiopia’s progress to needs more peace and security; benefit from the national develop- becoming a middle income human rights are not always pro- ment process. tected; and for far too many people country over the next the dream of a better life remains In celebrating this year’s United decade. beyond reach. Nations Day, the “UN comes as one” to renew its commitment As we reflect today on the tremen- to support Ethiopia’s progress to dous achievements this country becoming a middle income coun- has registered together with the try over the next decade. One ment priorities thereby achieving support of the UN and other UN Ethiopia, a self-starter of the greater effectiveness and efficiency. partners, let us work together to Delivering as One initiative, is promote gender equality. Let us more than ever well positioned to On this day we want to highlight work together to ensure a bright respond to the country’s develop- that all across Africa, more im- future for all Ethiopians.

34 UNECA - StaffVoice UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / UNAIDS

The HIV/AIDS African epidemic over time. Hopes and gaps of ending AIDS by 2030

By Dr. Warren Naamara, Country Director, UNAIDS

HIV/AIDS is a relatively newly documented as the major vehicle discovered illness compared to in transmission. The Acquired im- malaria, plague, leprosy, tuberculo- munodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) sis, measles and cholera that have had been documented and the affected vast majorities of humanity causative agent Human immuno- over centuries. HIV emerged in the deficiency Virus (HIV) isolated. epidemic become available. By 1995 late 20th century. The effects have In the same period, advances in the world had a total of 1 million re- been more devastating and con- science were unprecedented from ported cases of AIDS and estimated tinue up to date. testing capabilities to a host of total of 18 million HIV+ adults and drug trials. Zidovidine or AZT 1.5 million HIV+ children. AIDS Broadly the epidemic could be and other drugs were accepted had become the main cause of death classified in 10 year phases with as treatment choices to keep the in 25-44 age groups in USA. contestable data and conclusions in virus in check. The global response some areas and clarity in others. spear headed by WHO/GPA was Unfortunately the African epidemic unprecedented. Most Countries had become diffuse with Southern The period 60s to 70s may be in East and Central Africa mainly African Countries experiencing classified by some scholars as the Uganda classified as the epicenter, high prevalence figures up to 58 silent or incubating period where DRC, Kenya began reporting cases per cent. Clearly the Sub-Saharan there may have been slow passage of the clinical picture of AIDS with HIV epidemic was more than any of the virus and ultimately reach- explosive opportunistic infections other in the world. In 1993 there ing an exploding level. The origins not previously seen in clinical were an estimated 9 million people of the virus have attracted as much practice. Most were able to detect infected in the sub-Saharan region complexity and the virus itself. the HIV in blood using the antigen out of a global total of 14 million. Theories range from the African antibody simple tests. A huge epi- In 1998 sub-Saharan Africa was man getting into contact with apes demic with up to 30% HIV Posi- home to 70% of people who became for transmission to a biological tive pregnant women with neither infected with HIV during the year, weapon developed by Americans. treatment nor a vaccine was under with an estimated one in seven of However a large body of virol- way with increasing mortality and the new infections occurring in ogy evidence points to a mutated no hope! There is no documented South Africa. Clearly the epicenter (Apes) simian (SIV) virus to the bigger advance in all medical sci- had shifted from central Africa to human (HIV) virus one. ence specialties like during this Southern Africa. period. The more the science ad- The decade of the 1980s was the vanced, the more complicated the In the same decade the effective most important one in the whole virus was understood and ironi- combination therapy known as evolution of the epidemic when a cally the less and less was known HAART became available for those clinical picture or syndrome was about the virus. living with HIV in rich countries. first well documented in the USA The new drugs were so effective gay and IVDU communities and The decade of the 90 saw greater that AIDS death rates in developed later as a sexually transmitted in- advances and more and more global countries dropped by 84 per cent fection of immense proportion in coalitions against the epidemic. over the next four years. Scientists much of Africa. Exchange of body Science developed even faster and across the globe started thinking fluids mainly semen, blood and more anti-retroviral drugs came that early and aggressive treatment blood products were increasingly on the market. More data on the with combination ART regimens

UNECA - StaffVoice 35 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / UNAIDS

could turn AIDS into chronic, and African Governments eventual- HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa manageable medical conditions like ly forced pharmaceutical companies increased more than eight-fold diabetes or hypertension. to avail ARTs at affordable costs. from 100 000 to 810 000 people. To quote Kofi Annan former UNSG Subsequently the Global Fund and Unfortunately the same drug regi- “ In this effort there is no developed the President’s Emergency Plan for mens weighing in $10,000-15,000 per and developing countries, no rich AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), having been person per year available in the first and poor - only a common enemy formed earlier, were to address the world were hardly be affordable to that knows no frontiers and threat- financial gap. African patients and Governments. ens all people” – In macro-economic terms it would In the same decade treatment have cost sub-Saharan countries It was no longer just a private sector was increasingly accepted as between 9 per cent and 67 per cent of interest but an obligation as corpo- prevention: Treatment suppresses their GDP to provide triple combi- rate social responsibly and a human the viral replication and therefore nation therapy to everybody living rights issue. reduces the overall dose to infect with HIV in their countries. Greatest the exposed. This is one of the hopes on the horizon and yet devas- WHO/UNAIDS estimated that most important variables in the tating gaps in equity and access. in 2001 there were more than 20 basic infectious disease epidemio- million people living with AIDS logical triad model. The unprec- The fight for survival on treatment in sub-Saharan Africa, but only edented advances in the fields of for African patients had essentially 8,000 people were accessing drug pathophysiology, immune-biology, started with the pharmaceutical treatment. There were global unin- pharmacology, antiretroviral companies and treatment would formed debates about the effective- therapy, pathogenesis of the HIV dominate the next decade. UN- ness and efficiency of proving drugs and clinical care had contributed AIDS leveraging the comparative to African patients. This debate to progressively turn HIV infection advantages of 10 UN Agencies was about was effectively silenced by the from an inevitably fatal condition formed to steer the revamped and WHO 2003 ‘3 by 5’ initiative that into a chronic manageable disease intensive global response. managed to substantially increase to allow a marked and sustained the number of people on treatment control of viral replication. The 2000s decade and to date in Africa and raise political support could be classified as a turning pe- and financial commitment for HIV/ However, the currently used treat- riod for most patients whom hope AIDS in resource poor countries. ments are unable to eradicate HIV was no longer a remote possibility Between 2003 and 2005 the number from infected individuals and but a reality. Pressure from activists of people receiving treatment for therapy must be lifelong, with the

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potential for short- and long-term, the total number of people living vulnerability and overwhelming known and unknown side effects with HIV on the continent. potential HIV risk and burden in and high costs for health care sys- adolsecent girls and young women tems. Previously unseen patterns of New infections declining in East and Southern Afria there is pathogenic systemic complications Encouragingly new infections are on a need for a targeted approach that involving heart, bone, kidney and the decline with 33 per cent reduc- comprehensively addresses their other organs are emerging. Large tion in the number of new infections needs and rights. populations of HIV infected indi- among all age groups in the Sub Sa- viduals not diagnosed, remain un- hara Africa region between 2005 and Targetting and focussing on the treated or enter treatment at a very 2013. However despite the gains in key populations with user friendly late stage of diseases and generally reducing new infections, the region quality and comprehensive package represent an infected reservoir that remains the most severely affected of HIV services, identification and dynamically increases HIV trans- with 3 counties, Nigeria, South responding to the needs of newly mission when conditions are ripe. Africa and Uganda representing just emerging at risk groups such as mo- One such condition is breakage or under half of the new infections in bile workers will be an indespensi- stoppage of ARV treatment. the region in 2013. ble variable in combination preven- tion national responses. To date a lot has been achieved. Young women and adolescent girls More needs to be done in the are more infected and unfortunately Strengthening efforts to eliminate post 2015 period to ensure long being left behind facing a number new infections among children term sustainability. Building on of issues that render them vulner- and reducing maternal deaths is the global and Country achieve- able to HIV infection. low hanging fruit. Meeting global ments, the bottom line is ending targets for antiretroviral therapy ac- AIDS by 2030. Key populations at greater risk of cess among children and pregnant infection women living with HIV will require “Ending HIV/AIDS…..” Ending The sub-Saharn African epidemic expansion of services and integra- AIDS is more than a historic obliga- also affects key populations – no- tion with the Maternal Nutrition tion to the 36 million people who tably sex workers, men who have and Child Health (MNCH) in most have died of the disease. It also rep- sex with men (MSM) and Injection Countries. resents a momentous opportunity drug users (IDUs). Sex workers are to lay the foundation for a healthier, likely to be 6 times more infected Increasing, diversifying and more just and equitable world will than the general population while sustaining investments is more inspire broader global health and limited data on MSM and people than a mcroeconomic develop- development” Michel Sidibe the who inject drugs has made it dif- ment requirement. It is a human UNUSG and executive Director ficult for advocay work. rights obligation by a region with UNAIDS. the highest burden of the AIDS There is a body of evedence show- epidemic. Approximately 6.6 bil- The 2013 UNAIDS/WHO statis- ing that scaling up and scaling lion USD was invested in the AIDS tics indicated an estimated 24.7 out combination prevention of response in Sub Saharan Africa in million people living with HIV in biomedical interventions, ART 2012; the majorty (53%) coming Sub Saharan African, nearly 71% of therapy, HIV testing, PMTCT, con- from international sources. With the global total of 35 million. Ten dom programming, foccused and ever increasing resource envelop countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya, targetted BCC programmes, and gap, Sub-Saharan Africa countries Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Voluntary medical male circucision must be innovative in increasing South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, are the best for maximum returns domestic financing while ensuring Zambia and Zimbabwe account for on investment. effeciency gains. The UNAIDS led 81%. Two countries, Nigeria and global strategic vision of ending South Africa accounted for half of Key issues and challenges for the AIDS by 2030 dictates a sustained the total number of people living African HIV epidemic and re- prioritized predictable domestic with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. sponse and international financil invest- Women continued to bear the Addressing adolsecent girls and ment to avoaid a bigger cost of greatest HIV burden with 58% of young women: given the known inaction.

UNECA - StaffVoice 37 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / UNESCO

Two major UN achievements for Africa which every African should be proud of

By Firmin Edouard Matoko, Director of UNESCO Office in Addis Ababa

THE GENERAL HISTORY OF tion to the knowledge of Africa’s AFRICA (GHA) history and historiography. Given In 1964, at the request of and in its importance for humanity, the response to the aspirations of the General History of Africa was newly independent African states translated into thirteen languages to decolonize and re-appropriate including three African languages their history, UNESCO launched (Kiswahili, Fulfulde and Hausa). In Implementing the right to educa- an unprecedented task: to tell the addition, twelve “studies and docu- tion for all African citizens history of Africa from an African ments” and twelve volumes on the “Everyone has the right to educa- perspective and to remedy the “Sources of African History” were tion” states the Universal Decla- general ignorance on Africa’s his- published to accompany and com- ration on Human Rights adopted tory. The challenge was not a simple plement the collection. The GHA is in 1948. Since then what has been one: reconstructing Africa’s history, considered as a major contribution achieved and how effective has freeing it from racial prejudices to the knowledge of African history been the action of the UN family ensuing from slave trade and colo- and historiography, viewing Africa to guarantee the implementa- nization, showing the world that as whole and rejecting the artificial tion of this fundamental right in many techniques and technologies but widely entrenched dichotomy Africa? Over 6 decades after this used nowadays are originated in the between North Africa and sub- historic text was adopted, from a continent, proving that the region Saharan Africa. pure legal perspective, today, all was constituted by organized socie- African countries without excep- ties and not only by tribes… UN- In pursuing its effort to promote tion have integrated the right to ESCO called upon the then utmost a true knowledge of African education in their national con- African and non-African experts. History, UNESCO has launched stitutions and laws. This has been This experts’ work represented 35 in 2009 the second phase of the largely achieved thanks to the mo- years of cooperation between more project entitled “The Pedagogi- bilization of UN experts and public than 350 scientists (historians and cal Use of the General History of campaigns widely operated by UN other specialists) coordinated by a Africa”. African Union Member agencies in their different capaci- committee of 39 experts, two thirds States acknowledging the fact ties. Suffice to remind the adoption of them Africans from the conti- that history education helps to of a large number of standard- nent and from the Diaspora. The shape peoples’ identities and setting instruments - conventions, result was the elaboration of the improve understanding of the declarations, recommendations, General History of Africa into eight values and heritage shared by frameworks for action, charters volumes. The nearly ten thousand Africans and people of African - elaborated by the United Na- pages comprising the eight volumes descent stated is that ‘The Gen- tions as well as those elaborated at of the GHA Collection, published eral History published by UN- regional level provide a normative in English, French and Arabic were ESCO constitutes a valid base for framework for the Right to Educa- completed between the 1980s and teaching the history of Africa and tion among others, the UNESCO the 1990s. This huge task, com- (we) recommend its dissemina- Convention against Discrimina- pleted in 1999, had a great impact tion in many languages’ (Charter tion in Education (1960), the in Africa and, beyond, within the for African Renaissance adopted Convention on the Elimination of scientific and academic circles and by the African Union Summit in All Forms of Racial Discrimina- is considered as a major contribu- Khartoum, 2006). tion (1965), the UN International

38 UNECA - StaffVoice UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / UNESCO

Covenant on Economic, Social same period of time. Enrolment and Cultural Rights (1966), the in secondary education more than Convention on the Elimination “Everyone has doubled from 20.8 million to 43.7 of All Forms of Discrimination the right to education” million to grasp the full signifi- against Women (1979, the Con- cance of the dividends yielded by vention on the Rights of the Child states the Universal the Education for All effort across (1989). These instruments attest to Declaration on Human the region within a decade. While the great importance that African the prospects are positive for Member States accord to norma- Rights adopted in 1948. Universal Primary Education and tive action to realize this right. Since then what has been Gender equality, the challenges are particularly daunting for the On the ground, although the achieved and how effective remaining four goals, namely right to education remains an early childhood care and educa- empty promise for millions of has been the action of the tion, youth and adult skills, adult children in particular for girls, UN family to guarantee the literacy and the issue of quality. the results are very encouraging: “Never in African history has so implementation Ensuring that all African children much been achieved in education of this fundamental right without discrimination have equal over such a short period of time and free access to education has and governments are legitimately in Africa? been the motto of UNESCO’s work proud of their achievements. in Africa since its creation. Pro- But the gap between the have moting Gender Equality in educa- and have-nots in education still place during the Africa Education tion is a particular challenge that remains too large”. This is the for All Conference from 16-19 UNESCO has been facing in its conclusion of the Sub-Saharan Af- October 2012 in Johannesburg, work with African countries. UNE- rica 2012 Education for All Report South Africa. Net Enrolment Ratio SCO has supported a great number presented at the Global Education in primary education has increased of educational programmes aiming for All Meeting in Paris (France, from 58 per cent in 1999 to 76 per at ensuring that girls and women November 2012). The report is the cent by 2010 and the Gender parity are not denied their right to result of the discussions that took index from 0.85 to 0.93 over the education. One of the most recent programmes being implemented in Africa is the so called “Joint Flag- ship Programme on Gender Equal- ity and Women’s Empowerment which was launched in March 2012 to close gender gaps in Ethiopia, promote and protect the rights of women, and institutionalize gender mainstreaming in all sectors”. Here is the testimony of the girls ben- efiting from the project: An Overview of the General History of Africa

Volume I: Methodology and African Prehistory, Editor, J. Ki-Zerbo “We were unable to continue our Volume II: Ancient Civilizations of Africa, Editor, G. Mokhtar education and succeed in Uni- Volume III: Africa from the Seventh to the Eleventh Century, Editor, M.M. El Fasi and I. Hrbek versity life without the economic Volume IV: Africa from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century, Editor, D.T. Niane support provided. We would Volume V: Africa from the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century, Editor, B.A. Ogot have been forced to withdraw our Volume VI: Africa in the Nineteenth Century until the 1880s, Editor, J.F.A Ajayi education or look for other options Volume VII: Africa under Colonial Domination 1880-1935, Editor, A.A. Boahen like earn and learn which will Volume VIII: Africa since 1935, Editor, A.A Mazrui and C. Wondji devastate our future,” some of the girls said during the joint evalua- tion visit.

UNECA - StaffVoice 39 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / UNCDF

Creating a brighter future for Uganda

By Vincent Wierda, Programme Manager for the UNCDF CleanStart initiative

As we look to the 70th anniversary Yet the upfront cost to buy clean of the UN, our CleanStart pro- energy technology is a barrier gramme is part of a new wave of for many, let alone the oppor- development support in Africa. tunity to learn about the solu- tions available. It is also costly Without sustainable energy, the op- and difficult for energy service portunities for people to rise out of providers to reach remote com- poverty are severely limited. Clean- munities where the need for Start, a global UN Capital Develop- decentralized energy is great. ment Fund (UNCDF) initiative, aims to support low-income house- These issues are compounded holds and micro-entrepreneurs by the fact many finance institu- Ugandan farmer Joshua took out a microloan to buy a solar home system and repays in to jump-start their access to clean tions are unfamiliar with modern installments at the time of harvesting Photo: energy through microfinance. Our energy systems and reluctant Fred Noy/UNCDF goal is to transform the energy- to invest in launching energy finance market and help millions of micro-loans on a large-scale. As and micro-entrepreneurs to access people to switch to reliable, modern a result, the potential of microfi- reliable and affordable clean energy and affordable energy. nance to dramatically boost access through microfinance. to sustainable energy in Uganda is CleanStart is getting under way in underexploited. First, we link clean energy sup- Uganda. Around 90% of Ugan- pliers with financial institutions dans rely on wood, charcoal and UNCDF is partnering with Uganda’s so they can learn together. We kerosene for their household energy Ministry of Energy and Mineral De- needs. Burning these traditional velopment to support at least 40,000 Continued on page 76 fuels contributes to poor indoor air low-income Ugandan households quality, serious health problems and pollution. Moreover, gathering wood for fuel has depleted the country’s forests and woodlands.

More Ugandans are turning to off- grid energy solutions which present multiple benefits. Households can save money due to reduced ex- penditure on charcoal, kerosene and mobile phone charging. For example, in Uganda the use of solar home systems can cut kerosene costs by almost 80%. Cook stoves which burn fuel more efficiently and with less smoke, bring improvements in health and education, and increase income generation potential. Market of Diffa, UNCDF

40 UNECA - StaffVoice UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / UNCDF UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / WFP

Partnerships are key Organization (FAO) estimates that around half of the world’s hun- By WFP gry people are from smallholder farming communities, surviving off marginal lands prone to natural As the world’s largest humanitar- disasters like drought or floods. ian agency, WFP helps boost local Through the P4P programme, agricultural development by buying these smallholder farmers also some of its food from smallholder receive training in key techniques farmers and helping to link them such as post-harvest handling, to markets and financial services group marketing, agricultural through our Purchase for Pro- finance and contracting. Small- gramme (P4P). holder farmers in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous state, typi- More and more food is bought lo- cally tend to less than two hectares, cally nowadays in Africa for WFP and make up 70 per cent of the humanitarian operations, Ethiopia country’s labour force. is a great example. For the people of FugnanBirra in Ethiopia’s Oromia Ambitious Programme region, it made all the difference to Ethiopia has one of the most know that the grains they received ambitious P4P programmes in the in a recent WFP food distribution world. One of the biggest deliver- were grown in Ethiopian soil. ies -- almost 19,000 metric tons of The Purchase for Progress (P4P) maize -- was recently completed by Around 6,800 people received food initiative is a core component P4P-supported smallholder farm- assistance from WFP in August in of these efforts. In countries like ers in 16 cooperative unions. FugnanBirra, a town in the Gursum Ethiopia, WFP works with part- district. Keddo Hada-Jundi,50, was ners and governments to empower “I have sold 1,000 kg of maize this one of those who came to the town smallholder farmers, strengthen year and did not need to walk for seeking life-saving supplies to tide local economies and reinforce one and a half hours as before to her family through the lean season national self-reliance. reach a market,” said Abdallah Dari, following a poor harvest caused by who brought his maize on a donkey inadequate rains. The UN Food and Agriculture to the small MedetBoditi Coopera-

“I have learnt that the maize we received today is locally produced, and I’m really thankful for those who provided assistance to us here in Ethiopia,” said Keddo.

WFP has adopted a range of inno- vative programmes to deliver food assistance while strengthening communities’ abilities to withstand cyclical shocks such as drought. As well as providing traditional food rations during emergencies, WFP provides cash or vouchers for training, or for work on assets such as roads and dams as part of its Abdallah proudly added that he was now self-sufficient thanks to the sale of his maize, drive to eliminate hunger, and the and he still had enough left over to feed his family causes of hunger.

42 UNECA - StaffVoice UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / WFP

tive Union in the Southern Nations, Banks have also played a criti- “The success of local food purchas- Nationalities and People’s Region cal role. The Commercial Bank of es in Ethiopia also comes from a (SNNPR). Ethiopia (CBE), WFP and coop- strong drive from the government. erative unions signed an agreement Maize has been identified as one of “Our food assistance is reach- allowing the latter to obtain loans its key cereals to support Ethiopia’s ing millions of people in Ethiopia to purchase maize directly from Growth and Transformation Plan, every year, and if we can use our the farmers. under which productivity of major purchasing power to make long- crops is planned to double. Small- term changes to build resilience in “Not only did this loan allow us to holder farmers are essential to this Ethiopia, then we will truly be use- buy maize and increase our sales strategy and the P4P approach ful here,” said Abdou Dieng, Coun- to WFP from 400 metric tons last fits into this plan for all services try Director for WFP Ethiopia. year to 2,500 metric tons this year, including training in post-harvest it also helped to create market ac- handling facilities, storage, finance Partnerships are key cess for these farmers and train us and access to stable markets,” said The success of P4P deliveries in about quality and storage (of the Mauricio Burtet, P4P country Ethiopia derives largely from the grains),” said KalifaOssero, manag- coordinator in Ethiopia. excellent partnership between all er of the Melik Cooperative Union those involved in working towards in Warabie town, in the Silti zone agricultural transformation, in- of SNNPR. cluding international donors such as Britain’s Department for Inter- ACDI/VOCA, a USAID-funded national Development (DFID), and economic development agency, an Ethiopian bank. helped negotiate and draft the con- tract signed with CBE. Thanks to a multi-year funding Thanks to agreement with WFP, DFID is “This is extremely innovative in committed to an annual contri- Ethiopia and the negotiation of a multi-year funding bution of GBP20 million. This the contract will really help in the agreement with WFP, allowed WFP to sign forward future”, said Alex Pavlovic, a senior delivery contracts with 16 coopera- public-private partnership special- DFID is committed to tive unions for the 2013 growing ist for ACDI/VOCA’s Agricultural an annual contribution season. Growth Program-Agribusiness and Market Development in Ethiopia. of GBP20 million. This “It is quite simple: without the three-year advanced contribution “Cooperative unions learnt how to allowed WFP to sign that we got from DFID, we would draft these contracts but also how to forward delivery contracts not have been able to do this,” said borrow money for the first delivery Abdou Dieng. of maize, for example, and use the with 16 cooperative unions payment for this delivery to make for the 2013 growing Shaun Hughes, head of livelihoods the second round possible, rather and humanitarian team at DFID than getting all the money at once. season. Ethiopia, said this kind of funding It was also a good experience for the was more cost-effective. bank in its relationship with small cooperative unions,” he added. “It promotes local production and allows WFP to buy food at On 27 August 2013, WFP and its a better price than in the middle Maize Alliance partners in Ethio- of a drought when prices are at pia renewed their agreement and their highest. It also makes sense launched an ambitious plan to pur- environmentally as the food is pro- chase 40,000 metric tons of maize duced nearby,” Hughes said. in 2014.

UNECA - StaffVoice 43 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes / WHO

Journey of WHO in Ethiopia and fellowships based on an agreed work plane. The current Country By Dr Pierre M’Pele-Kilebou, WHO Representative to Cooperation Strategy (CCS), which Ethiopia is aligned WHO’s global agreements, the Health Sector Development Plan (HSDP) of Ethiopia and the The World Health Organization has national and national professional UNDAF, is the framework for WHO been the global authority for health officers were assigned. Moreover, cooperation with the Government of for almost 70 years. In 1945, directly until 1996, WHO was housed within Ethiopia and serves as a tool to guide after the Second World War, the UN the Ministry of Health? Now, almost planning, budgeting and resource Conference on International Organi- 20 years later, WHO has returned allocation for WHO-supported zations in San Francisco voted to back into the Ministry following the programmes. establish a new international health establishment of the Direct Techni- organization and a year later the cal Assistance Teams – WHO staff I joined the WHO Ethiopia as the International Health Conference in deployed to the Ministry of Health, Country Representative in Janu- New York approved the Constitution its specialized agencies and the dif- ary 2013. A large country office of the World Health Organization. ferent regions of Ethiopia. and multiple health challenges that The constitution formally came into the country faces have made my force on 7 April 1948, which is now In the beginning WHO’s agreement journey with WHO Ethiopia chal- celebrated as World Health Day. The with Ethiopia involved providing First World Health Assembly met in technical assistance in the form Continued on page 76 Geneva, Switzerland, in the summer of personnel, equipment, supplies of 1948 and established the WHO, which became the first specialized agency of the United Nations to which every member state sub- scribed.

WHO’s journey in Ethiopia began in 1956 when the first basic agree- ment concerning technical advisory assistance was signed between the Government of Ethiopia and the WHO, only eight years after the establishment of the Organization. The current basic agreement was signed on 11 January 1962. During the past 58 years, a three-person office has expanded to a team of over 200 staff. A representative, secretary and driver largely managed the first decade of WHO’s technical assis- tance. Later on the growing need and extended mandate have enabled WHO to grow in Ethiopia.

WHO has had a close, excellent rela- tionship with the Ministry of Health throughout its history in Ethiopia? Initially staff was drawn from the Ministry of Health on a part-time From top: WHO Journey, October 2013; A visit by Dr Pierre M’Pele-Kilebou, WHO basis; this continued until inter- Representative to Ethiopia at Kule refugee camp, April 201

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30% off treatments with Tilla memebership Contributions / ECA Substantive Divisions

UN support to Africa using ICTs of which are being ripped today by to accelerate socioeconomic the African population. The availability of accurate and up- development: to-date information and knowledge, has decisive impact on peoples’ lives By Makane Faye, Chief, Knowledge Services and on the socio-economic develop- Section (KSS) ment of a country as a whole. The world has become a planetary village in which countries that have created ICTs have proven themselves in development of e-strategies on the an enabling ICT environment are streamlining and increasing the ef- continent; “this created a continental experiencing revolutionary effects, fectiveness and efficiency in all socio- impetus to proceed with concrete especially in the governance, educa- cultural and economic development national ICT endeavours” (Rowan, tion, health and business sectors. fields. The information age character- 2003). Some of the key components Most of the e-strategies in African ized by ICTs and the extraordinary of AISI are Policy Reform, Infra- countries have focused on the above increase in the spread of knowledge structure, Applications and Commu- sectors; citizens are more empow- has given birth to a new era: that of nity access (Wild & Sibthorpe, 1999). ered, can change the equilibrium of knowledge and information. To ben- AISI has recommended guidelines power and start making informed efit from the changes to be brought for the development of national ICT choices and creating opportunities about by globalization, liberalization policies and strategies, which are that impact positively on their future. and the information age, developed seen as a concrete contribution of as well as developing countries have the United Nations in African socio- Salient successes put in place strategies that will enable economic development. Moreover, Through the support of the United them transform their economies into ECA and its partners2, including Nations, the African ICT for De- information and knowledge econo- other UN institutions such as UNDP, velopment landscape has positively mies. Dzidonu (2003) argues that ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and the changed and can be summarized as ICTs offer to developing countries World Bank made available massive follows: the possibility “to progress from a intellectual assistance to African situation of ‘zero’ or ‘limited’ tech- countries in terms of development of • In 2013, forty-six countries have nology to widespread adoption of ICT policies (UNECA, 2008). finalized their e-strategies, while ‘sophisticated’ technologies, without one was in the development going through the stages of tech- Benefits for African countries process. nological adaptation and learning In the global networked economy, • With an enabling environment experienced in developed countries.” information and knowledge have for competition and ICT invest- become strategic resources, upon ment available in most countries, The birth of AISI which governments, private sector Africa’s mobile and Internet While Vice President Al Gore of the corporations and the public at large growth rates are the highest in United States of America spear- make their decisions. Almost all the the world. headed development of the Global African countries managed to de- • Mobile phone penetration has Information Infrastructure (GII) and velop their e-strategies using or in- grown from 1% in 2000 to 54% the National Information Infra- fluenced by the AISI framework with in 2012. As a result, Africa has structure (NII) (Brown, 1994), and the support of the United Nations. In also lead innovation in mo- the European Union (Bangemann, this context, a set of comprehensive bile banking. According to the 1994) commissioned the Bange- national e-strategies, sectoral e-strat- GSMA 2013 report3, Mobile mann report on “Europe and the egies and sub-regional frameworks contributed over six per cent of Global Information Society”, ECA (UNECA, 2008), was developed in the region’s GDP, higher than coordinated the launch of the Afri- favor of African countries, the fruits any other comparable region can Information Society Initiative1 globally. The mobile ecosystem (AISI), which paved the way for the 2 The UN was supported among others by Finland, directly supported 3.3 million Sweeden, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the OrganisationInternationale de la 1 AISI was launched by the African Conference of Min- Francophonie (OIF), the European Union (EU), the 3 http://www.gsma.com/newsroom/sub-saharan-africa- isters of Finance, Planning and Economic Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), USAID leads-world/(Accessed 24 August 2014) 46 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions / ECA Substantive Divisions

jobs and contributed US $21 billion to public funding in the region, including license fees. By 2020, mobile is set to double its economic effect, employing 6.6 million people in the region and contributing US $42 billion to public funding. • Fixed lines currently reach over 4% of the population. This has surpassed the NEPAD target of doubling teledensity to two lines per 100 people by 2005. • The number of Internet users on the continent grew over seven times the global average, clock- ing more than 4,000% growth between 2000 and 2014, to over 268 million4 users. • All countries, except two, are connected to submarine fiber optic cables, connecting Af- rica to the rest of the world. These cables have dramati- cally increased the transmission get the same connection for less Agenda for Cooperation. capacity of data and drastically than $100. • Dzidonu, C. (2003). An Integrat- reduced transmission time and • ICTs are assisting in solving ed ICT for Accelerated Develop- costs (Macharia, 2014). Prior to cross-border issues resulting to ment Policy and Plan for Ghana. fiber-optic installation, inter- the Adoption by the African Un- Addis Ababa: UNECA. net service providers relied on ion Heads of State in June 2014 • Macharia, J. (2014). Internet satellite connections, paying up of the Convention on Cyber- access is no longer a luxury - to $2,300 per month for basic Security and Personal Data Fiber-optics could leap-frog satellite connections. Using Protection to provide legislation Africa into the future. In: Africa fiber-optic cables, they can now and guidance on the organiza- Renewal, April 2014. tion of electronic • Rowan, M. (2003). Lessons transactions, pro- learned from Mozambique’s ICT tection of personal Policy Process. Maputo. data, promotion • United Nations Economic Com- of cyber security, mission for Africa. (2008). E- e-governance and Strategies; National Information combating cyber and Communication Infrastruc- crime in all mem- ture (NICI); Best Practices and ber States. Lessons Learnt. Addis Ababa. • Wild K., &Sibthorpe C. (1999). References From ISAD to the African • Bange- Development Forum: the expan- mann, M. (1994). sion of interest in ICTs in Africa Europe and the from 1996 to 1999. Johannes- Global Informa- burg: The International Develop- tion Society. ment Research Centre (IDRC). • Brown, R. (1994). The Global 4 http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet- users/#byregion (Accessed 24 August 2014) Information Infrastructure:

UNECA - StaffVoice 47 Contributions / ECA Substantive Divisions

ECA milestone achievements Recently,the By Capacity Development Division ECA support

Thanks to the Economic Commis- seen to the existence of coordina- of the development of a sion for Africa operating in its dual tion mechanisms in all sub-regions, pan African culture of role as a pan-African institution strengthening coordination capacity and a United Nations body, has in programming, monitoring and ownership of development significantly fulfilled its mandate evaluation, and resource mobiliza- goals has been witnessed of promoting social and economic tion, for ensuring the realization development in Africa through con- of Africa’s transformation agenda. in the collaborative and ducting relevant research and policy Through its capacity building and consultative processes analysis and most importantly, technical assistance activities, the building human, institutional and ECA has also assisted its member used in the development infrastructural capacity throughout states, the Regional Economic Com- the continent. This is demonstrated munities (RECs) and other major of the Africa owned Post by the ECA’s significant involvement organizations (regional and sub-re- 2015 Agenda and Agenda in the establishment institution like gional) to develop for designing and the African Development Bank, implementing several development 2063 which are successor the New Partnership for Africa’s policies. Such policies which range programmes to the MDGs Development programme and the from regional to local have also been Intergovernmental Authority on successfully implemented due to and other development Development (IGAD) among others. the tenacity of the UN in delivering goals. Support given to the development Africa’s economic growth. of the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community, was Thanks to the UN, Africa is taking historical, as was the support given bold steps towards gaining control helped deliver the positive ideals of towards the attainment of the MDG of its own resources and financ- the United Nations in Africa. Thanks Goals. Recently, the ECA support ing its own development. With the to the UN, the culture of independ- of the development of a pan African support of the ECA, the continent is ent thinking is a widely and rapidly culture of ownership of development moving towards stamping out illicit growing concept not just at the ECA goals has been witnessed in the col- financial flows and harnessing its headquarters, but continentally also. laborative and consultative processes natural resources and human capital Operating in its dual role as a pan- used in the development of the for its transformation. The recogni- African institution and a United Na- Africa owned Post 2015 Agenda and tion that Africa is not resource poor tions body, the ECA has significantly Agenda 2063 which are successor is a significant outcome and driv- fulfilled its mandate by conducting programmes to the MDGs and other ing the new development Agenda relevant research and policy analysis development goals. will be a test the application of the and most importantly, providing well researched findings. The ECA direct technical assistance towards Thanks to the UN, the recent re- has supported Africa in numerous building human, institutional and structuring of ECA, demonstrates international negotiations across infrastructural capacity throughout the wish of the UN to translate re- a wide range of sectors while also the continent. This can clearly be gional level visions and programmes using this convening power to help seen in the ECA’s significant in- to concrete results for the benefit give credence to Africa’s voice in the volvement in the institution of the of African populations through international arena. African Development Bank (AfDB), strengthened coordination at the the Abuja Treaty establishing the sub-regional, and national levels. The With over 50 years’ worth of contri- African Economic Community, the Regional Coordination Mechanism butions to Africa’s economic devel- New Partnership for Africa’s Devel- of UN Organizations and Agencies opment while defending the ideals opment and the Intergovernmental working in Africa in support of the of Pan Africanism, the Economic Authority on Development (IGAD) AU and its NEPAD Programme has Commission of Africa (ECA) has among others.

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What has the United Nations done procedures offered under insur- for Africa in terms of health? ance coverage. Although it is not the responsibil- By Dr. Grace Fombad, Chief Medical Officer, UN Health ity of the UN to dictate to indi- Care Center (UNHCC) vidual governments on how to run their countries, there is need to do more by insisting that their poli- A proper response to this ques- Working in child protection, cies include moving from primary tion or puzzle will require that we UNICEF ensures that the African health care to providing standard examine the different arms of the child is surrounded with love and facilities for optimal care to their UN. Health as defined by WHO in issues of sexual abuse that may citizens and avoid the consistent the Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978 result in reproductive health related drainage of the meager resources as a complete state of physical, problems and mental health are in search of treatment abroad. mental and social well-being and reduced. Ensuring good nutrition Investing in the training of health- not just the absence of disease or and reduction of maternal mortality care personnel is not a luxury but illness. The Declaration continued during child birth including infant an obligation. to delineate the rights of individu- mortality are all areas that the UN als to actively take part in planning through these different arms have Like Oliver Twist, Africa still needs for their health either individu- touched the lived of Africans in the more to be done for the health of ally or collectively, giving birth to area of health. the citizens through the application a discipline in healthcare called of good governance through the primary health care. This also un- As a UN employee, the health assistance of the UN. Good govern- derlined the initial goal of health benefits of the organization are ance will enable planners to put in for all by the year 2000 in a serene recognized through the compul- place the necessary infrastructures environment free of conflict. sory insurance scheme. It has to take care of the well-being of the opened the eyes of many in Africa people without discrimination on Looking back to the above mile- to understand the benefits of socio-economic status. Africa is stone in the history of the UN, one saving for the rainy day and this still heavily affected by HIV and the can comfortably say the organiza- cannot be denied that some staff sponsorship of the treatment pro- tion has work through WHO to members are alive today because gram should go beyond 2015, the respond to the different health of the possibilities to get access target year to get 15 million people crisis facing the world but more to the most complicated medical on the drugs. specifically Africa. In 2003 WHO launched the 3 million people on antiretroviral therapy by the year 2005. Although only 1.3 mil- lion people attained that goal, it created room for a more ambi- tious goal to scale up access to HIV treatment. UNICEF and UNAIDS have worked hand in gloves with WHO to ensure that the poorest countries in Africa have access to HIV treatment.

The different pandemics and presently the Ebola outbreak in West Africa are some areas to appreciate how the UN has responded to the needs of the continent. First Aid training programme of UNHCC

UNECA - StaffVoice 49 Contributions / Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO/WA)

The UN: Over 50 years of concrete In the framework of the promotion of the NTICs, the ECA has played results to support the development a leading role in West Africa. Thus, of West Africa through the African Information Society Initiative (AISI), it finances the process of drafting and imple- The UN and the ECA, its technical Africa. It also supported the sub- menting national policies and plans arm in Africa, have been heavily in- region in setting up an “open skies” relating to national information and volved in the socio-economic devel- policy concept for air transport. communications infrastructure, opment of West Africa throughout called NICI Plans, for the benefit of these last 70 years since they began. More recently in the framework thirteen countries in West Africa, The following outlines how the UN of its support for the NEPAD-AU, which are: Benin, Burkina Faso, had responded to numerous issues the ECA is supporting West Africa Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, in the area of development assistance through the Programme for Infra- Ghana, Guinea, and regional integration as well as in structure Development in Africa the maintenance and consolidation (PIDA). The PIDA identified invest- The ECA, in its efforts to promote of peace in the sub-region. ment priorities and financing op- statistics, supports the Economic portunities for corridors of electrical and Statistical Observatory for (1) Dynamic support for economic transmission, transportation and Sub-Saharan Africa (AFRISTAT) integration, development and new technologies of information in the development of thinking on infrastructures and communications (NTICs). the importance and use of statisti- cal data to stimulate development To facilitate economic and social integration of the continent, the UN- Infrastructure ECA has played a preponderant role for the Organization of African Unity today the African Union, in setting up and strengthening the capacities of the Regional Economic Commu- nities and especially the ECOWAS.

This assistance was extended to the transportation sector where, with a view to assisting African countries to establish good policies in this area in order to reduce poverty and the shortcomings in this sector, in 1987 the United Nations Economic Com- mission for Africa and the World Bank created the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP). In West Africa, this pro- gramme made it possible to finance many studies and training sessions as well as tools for communication and dissemination of knowledge as well as support for sub-regional institutions, including the ECOW- AS. Along the same lines, the ECA contributed to the identification of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Senegal. These plans have made the main trunk roads for African it possible to promote the convergence of national policies on telecommunications, integration, including three in West information technology and the media.

50 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions / Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO/WA)

in West Africa. It also supported the climate and the environment (3) The contribution of the UN to the drafting of the Strategic Re- into resources for the sustainable efforts to maintain and consolidate gional Framework of Reference for development of Africa. The Center peace helped to avoid the general strengthening statistical capacities also contributes to strengthening the conflagration of countries at war with a view to inspiring an im- capacities of States in climate fore- proved understanding of the role of casting and in the processing and At the beginning of the nineties, statistics, to improve their quality dissemination of meteorological and West Africa experienced inter- and to favor their increased use for climatic information for sustainable state conflicts with devastating sustainable development. development. effects for society, the state and re- gional stability. The past and recent Since its creation in 1962, the In connection with these efforts history of the sub-region has been African Institute for Economic related to climate change, since 2012 characterized by instability and con- Development and Planning (IDEP) the West African Development flicts which have affected a certain has benefited from significant Bank (BOAD), a common financing number of countries, particularly financial support on the part of the organization for priority actions for Mali, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte United Nations and particularly the development and economic integra- d’Ivoire, Togo, Guinea-Bissau and UNECA. At the heart of the IDEP tion of the West African Economic Guinea Conakry, with a significant mission is capacity strengthening and Monetary Union and the United socio-economic impact. and training, in order to provide Nations Framework Convention on African states with qualified hu- Climate Change, has set up a regional Faced with these new challenges, the man resources. To this end, the collaboration center on the problems sub-region mobilized, particularly Institute has provided training and of the environment. The centre pro- in the framework of the Economic capacity-strengthening for hundreds vides direct support to governments, Community of West African of senior executives in West Africa non-governmental organizations and States, which played a leading role through short and long courses. to the private sector in the identifica- in all the efforts to seek solutions tion and development of projects to these conflicts. Thus it benefited (2) Constant support to institu- eligible for the Clean Development from strong support from the UN tions working on climate change Mechanism in Africa. through major operations and mis- and food security sions for the maintenance of and In the framework of the integrated support for peace, the mandates The Sahelian subregion attracted the management of water resources of which ranged from traditional attention of the international com- and the improvement of the liv- methods of peaceful settlement of munity by its great droughts, begin- ing conditions of people residing differences, such as reconciliation ning in the 1970s and 1980s. Cli- around water bodies, in 2000, the and assistance with the implementa- matic variations continue to weigh ECA conducted a study on the tion of peace agreements or me- heavily on agriculture that is 90 per development of the water resources diation and good offices, to more cent rain-fed. Thus, to mitigate the of trans-boundary river/lake basins coercive interventions including a unpredictable climatic conditions in Africa. In West Africa, this selection of measures such as the and the vulnerability that accompa- study involved the Niger Basin use of force under the provisions of nies them, in 1987, the ECA Confer- Authority (NBA) and the Senegal the United Nations Charter. ence of Ministers, in collaboration River Development Organization with the World Meteorological (OMVS). ECA also contributed to The most well-known cases include Organization (WMO) created the the creation of the Liptako Gourma the United Nations Multidimen- African Center for Meteorological Authority (LGA) based in Ouaga- sional Integrated Stabilization Applications for Development (AC- dougou. The Commission identified Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and MAD), the headquarters of which is the measures that made it possible the United Nations Operations in located in Niamey, Niger. to mobilize financial resources and Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) created to improve agricultural production for the Security Council to replace This objective of this Center is to and electrical energy, to promote the support missions led by the contribute to the sustainable devel- mineral resources, transportation, ECOWAS and the AU in these opment of different socio-economic communications and health within two countries. The United Nations sectors by transforming the weather, these river basins. Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was

UNECA - StaffVoice 51 Contributions / Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO/WA)

created by the Security Council in The prospects are to continue to tions which began in June 2013 in 2003 to support the implementa- support the engagement of the order to rationalize operations in the tion of the ceasefire agreement sub-region to deal with the scourge framework of a common regional and the peace process and the of transnational organized crime, development programme. For the reform of the security sector after including drug trafficking, piracy and outlook, it is undeniable that better the second civil war in Liberia, other crimes at sea, as well as growing coordination of the agencies and while the United Nations Observer terrorist activities, which constitute programmes of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) new threats to peace and security. System in order to take advantage of was launched in September 1993 technical skills and create new syner- to provide their good offices in (4) Towards improved coordina- gies to support the sub-region will support of efforts deployed by the tion of the actions of UN pro- be a value-added in the future. This ECOWAS and the national transi- grammes and agencies to better is why the operationalization of the tion government in favor of the serve West Africa Sub-Regional Coordination Mecha- implementation of the peace agree- nism will enable it to develop into a ments. The UNOMIL was replaced In this area we should underline major asset for the effectiveness, ef- in 1997 by the United Nations the initiative to set up the Forum ficiency, and impact of the actions of Peacebuilding Support Office in of Inter-Governmental Organiza- the UN in support of the ECOWAS. Liberia (UNOL). Food and Agriculture The United Nations Mission in Si- erra Leone (UNAMSIL) was created on October 21, 1999, to replace the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) in order to facilitate the application of the Lomé peace agreement and to assist with the disarmament, demobiliza- tion and reinsertion of former com- batants. It completed its mandate in December 2005 and was replaced by the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL).

The UN also played an active role in the creation of the military ECO- WAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in 1990. To better sup- port these peace efforts, in 2002 the UN decided to establish the Office of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa (UNOWA) in Dakar.

The efforts of the UN have contrib- uted greatly to peaceful political transitions in Guinea-Bissau, to holding peaceful and transparent elections in Liberia and Sierra Leone, with widely accepted results, as well as to the re-establishment of the rule of law and to launching post-conflict Pictures provided by Ingoila Mounkaila Communications Officer Bureau sous régional reconstruction in other countries. pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest Commission Economique des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique

52 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions / Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO/WA)

L`ONU : Plus de cinquante ans tiques et plans nationaux relatifs à l’infrastructure en matière de réalisations concrètes pour d’information et de communica- soutenir le développement de tion, appelés Plans NICI, au profit de treize pays de l` Afrique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest l’Ouest, à savoir : Benin, Burkina Faso, Cap-Vert, Côte d’Ivoire, Ingoila Mounkaila Communications Officer: Bureau Gambie, Ghana, Guinée, Mali, Mauritanie, Niger, Nigeria, Sénégal sous régional pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et Sierra Leone. Ces plans ont per- mis de promouvoir la convergence L`ONU et la CEA, son bras rienne (Sub-SaharanAfrica Trans- des politiques nationales des télé- technique en Afrique, ont été très port Policy Program (SSATP)).En communications, d’informatique et engagées dans le développement Afrique de l’Ouest,Ce Programme des medias. socioéconomique de Afrique de a permis de financer de nombreus- l`Ouest tout au long de ces 70 an- es études et formations ainsi que La CEA, dans ses efforts de pro- nées d`existence de l`Organisation. des outils de communication et de motion des Statistiques, appuie C’est ainsi que l`ONU a répondu à diffusion des connaissances sans l’Observatoire Economique et plusieurs questions aussi bien dans oublier l’appui aux institutions Statistique d’Afrique Subsaha- le domaine de l`accompagnement sous-régionales dont la CEDEAO. rienne (Afristat) dans le dével- du développement, de l’intégration Dans le même ordre d’idée, la CEA oppement de la réflexion sur régionale que celui de maintien et a contribué à l’identification des l’importance et l’utilisation des de consolidation de la paix dans la grands axes routiers d’intégration données statistiques pour impul- sous région. de l’Afrique dont trois en Af- ser le développement en Afrique rique de l’Ouest.Elle a également de l’Ouest. Elle a aussi soutenu (1) Dynamique appui à soutenu la sous-région dans la l`élaboration du Cadre Stratégique l`intégration économique, au mise en place d’un concept de « Régional de Référence pour le développement et aux infrastruc- ciel ouvert » en matière de trans- renforcement des capacités statis- tures port aérien. tiques en vue de susciter une meil- leure prise de conscience du rôle Pour faciliter l’intégration économ- Plus récemment dans le cadre de de la statistique, d`en améliorer la ique et sociale du continent, la son appui au NEPAD-UA, la CEA qualité et en favoriser une utilisa- CEA a joué un rôle prépondérant est en train de soutenir l`Afrique tion accrue pour des besoins de auprès de l’Organisation des l’Unité de l`Ouest à travers le Programme développement durable. Africainedevenue aujourd’hui de Développement des Infra- l’Union Africaine pour la mise en structures en Afrique (PIDA). L’Institut Africain de Développe- place et le renforcement des capac- Le PIDA a identifié les priorités ment et de la Planification (IDEP) ités des Communautés Econom- d`investissement et les opportu- a depuis sa création en 1962 bé- iques Régionales et en particulier nités de financements en matière néficié d’un fort soutien financier de la CEDEAO. de corridors de transmission de la part des Nations Unies et de électrique, transport et Nouvelles la CEA. Au cœur de la mission de Cet accompagnement s’est pour- Technologies de l’Information et l`IDEP figurent le renforcement suivi dans le domaine de transport de la communication (NTIC). des capacités et la formation, en où, en vue d’aider les pays africains vue de doter les Etats africains des à établir de bonnes politiques en la Dans le cadre de la promotion ressources humaines qualifiées. matière afin de réduire la pauvreté des NTIC, la CEA, a joué un rôle Dans cette optique,l’Institut a et les déficiences dans le secteur, de premier plan en Afrique de l` formé et renforcé les capacités des la Commission Economique des Ouest. Ainsi à travers l’Initiative centaines de cadres supérieurs de Nations Unies pour l’Afrique et sur la Société Africaine à l’ère de l’Afrique de l’Ouest à travers des la Banque mondiale ont créé en l’Information (AISI), elle a fi- cours de courte et de longue durée. 1987, le Programme des Politiques nancé le processus d’élaboration de Transport en Afrique Subsaha- et de mise en œuvre des poli-

UNECA - StaffVoice 53 Contributions / Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO/WA)

(2) Soutiens constants aux in- régionale (CCR) sur la problé- stitutions s’occupant du change- matique environnementale. Le ment climatique et de l’insécurité CCR apporte un soutien direct alimentaire aux gouvernements, aux or- ganisations non gouvernemen- La sous-région sahélienne a sus- tales et au secteur privé dans Your cité l’attention de la communauté l’identification et le développe- internationale par les grandes ment des projets éligibles au sécheresses qu’elle a connues au Mécanisme du Développement Comments début des années 1970 et 1980. Les Propre (MDP) en Afrique. variations climatiques continu- ent de peser fortement sur une Dans le cadre la gestion in- about agriculture à plus de 90% pluviale. tégrée des ressources en eaux Ainsi, pour pallier à l` imprévisi- et l’amélioration des condi- bilité des conditions climatiques et tions de vie des populations la vulnérabilité qui les accompa- riveraines des cours d’eau, la Staff Voice gne, la Conférence des Ministres CEA a conduit une étude pour de la CEA, en collaboration avec la mise en valeur des Bassins l’Organisation Météorologique fluviaux lacustres transfron- are most Mondiale, a créé, depuis 1987, le taliers en Afrique. En Afrique Centre Africain pour les Applica- de l’Ouest, cette étude a porté tions de la Météorologie au Dével- sur l’Autorité du Bassin du welcome oppement (ACMAD), dont le siège Niger (ABN) et l’Organisation est à Niamey, au Niger. pour la Mise en Valeur du Fleuve Sénégal (OMVS). La Ce Centre a pour objectif de con- CEA a également contribué tribuer au développement durable à la création de l’Autorité du des différents secteurs socio- Liptako Gourma (ALG) à économiques en faisant du temps, Ouagadougou. La Commis- du climat et de l’environnement sion a identifié des mesures des ressources pour le dével- ayant permis de mobiliser oppement durable de l`Afrique. des ressources financières et Il contribue aussi à renforcer d’améliorer les productions les capacités des Etats dans la agricoles et d`énergie élect- prévision climatique et procède rique, de promouvoir les res- au traitement et à la diffusion sources minérales, le transport d’informations météorologiques et communications et la santé et climatiques pour les besoins du au sein de ces bassins fluviaux. développement durable. (3) La Contribution de l’ONU Dans le cadre de ces efforts liés au aux efforts de maintien et changement climatique, la Banque de consolidation de la paix a Ouest-Africaine de Développe- évité l’embrasement des pays ment (BOAD), organisme com- en guerre mun de financement d’actions prioritaires de développement Dès le début des années 90, et d’intégration économique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest est en l`UEMOA, et la Convention proie à des conflits intra- [email protected] Cadre des Nations Unies pour les étatiques aux effets dévasta- Changements Climatiques (CC- teurs pour la société, l’Etat NUCC) ont mis en place depuis et la stabilité régionale. 2012 un centre de collaboration L`histoire passée et récente de

54 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions / Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO/WA)

la sous région a été caractérisée d’Observation des Nations Unies l`engagement de la sous-région par l’instabilité et les conflits qui au Libéria (MONUL) a été lancée pour faire face au fléau de la crimi- ont affecté un certain nombre de en septembre 1993 pour exercer nalité transnationale organisée, pays notamment le Mali, le Liberia, de bons offices à l’appui des ef- dont le trafic de drogue, la piraterie la Sierra Leone, la Côte d’Ivoire, forts déployés par la CEDEAO et la criminalité en mer, ainsi que le Togo, la Guinée-Bissau et la et le Gouvernement national de les activités terroristes croissantes, Guinée Conakry, avec un impact transition en faveur de la mise en tant que nouvelles menaces à la socio-économique important. en œuvre des accords de paix. La paix et la sécurité. MONUL a été remplacée en 1997 Face à ces défis inédits, la sous- ré- par le Bureau des Nations Unies Pour une meilleure coordination gion s`est mobilisée notamment pour la consolidation de la paix au des actions des programmes et dans le cadre de la Commu- Libéria (BUNUL). agences de l’ONU pour mieux nauté Economique des Etats de servir l’Afrique de l’Ouest l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO), La Mission des Nations Unies qui a joué un rôle moteur dans en Sierra Leone (MINUSIL) a A ce niveau, il y a lieu de souligner tous les efforts de recherche de été créée le 21 octobre 1999, en l’Initiative portant sur la mise en solutions à ces conflits. C’est ainsi remplacement de la Mission place du Forum des Organisations qu’elle a bénéficié d’un fort soutien d’observation des Nations Unies Intergouvernementales qui a vu le de l’ONUà travers d’importantes en Sierra Leone (MONUSIL) pour jour en juin 2013 en vue de ra- opérations et missions de main- faciliter l’application de l’accord tionaliser les interventions dans le tien et de soutien à la paix qui ont de paix de Lomé et aider dans le cadre d’un programme commun de eu des mandats allant des méth- désarmement, la démobilisation et développement régional.Comme odes traditionnelles de règlement la réinsertion des anciens combat- perspectives, il est indéniable de pacifique des différends, telles que tants. Elle a achevé son mandat en noter qu’une meilleurecoordina- la promotion de la réconciliation, décembre 2005 et a été remplacée tion des agences et programmesdu l’aide apportée à la mise en œuvre le Bureau intégré des Nations système des Nations Unies pour des accords de paix, où la média- Unies en Sierra Leone (BINUSIL). exploiter davantage les compétenc- tion et les bons offices, aux inter- es techniques et créer de nouvelles ventions plus coercitives compre- L`ONU a aussi joué un rôle synergies dans l’appui à la sous nant toute une gamme de mesures actif dans la création du Groupe région sera une plus value impor- y compris l’emploi de la force en d’observateurs militaires de la tante dans le futur. C’est pourquoi, vertu de la Charte. CEDEAO (ECOMOG) en 1990. Opérationnaliser le Mécanisme Pour mieux soutenir ces efforts Sous-Régional de Coordina- Les cas les plus connus incluent de paix, l’ONU a décidé en 2002 tion devient un atout majeur à la Mission multidimensionnelle d’établir le Bureau du Représent- l`efficacité, l`efficience et l` impact intégrée des Nations Unies pour la ant Spécial du Secrétaire général de l`action de l`ONU dans son ap- stabilisation du Mali (MINUSMA) pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest (UN- pui à la CEDEAO. et l’opération des Nations Unies OWA) à Dakar. en Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI) créées par le Conseil de sécurité pour Les efforts de l` ONU ont con- remplacer les Missions de soutien tribué à des transitions politiques sous la conduite de la CEDEAO apaisées en Guinée-Bissau, à la et de l’UA dans ces deux pays. tenue d’élections pacifiques et La Mission des Nations Unies au transparentes au résultat largement Libéria (MINUL) a, quant à elle, accepté au Liberia et en Sierra été créée par le Conseil de sécurité Leone ainsi qu`au rétablissement en 2003 pour soutenir la mise en de la règle de la loi et le lancement [email protected] œuvre de l’accord de cessez-le-feu de la reconstruction post-conflits et le processus de paix et appuyer dans d` autres pays. la réforme du secteur de sécurité à l’issue de la deuxième guerre civile Comme perspectives, Il est im- au Libéria alors que la Mission portant de continuer à appuyer

UNECA - StaffVoice 55 Contributions / Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO/CA)

Thinking it first for Africa: A letter your palapalic enjoyment!). And come to think of it, can you ever do from Molakisi to Mwalimu it, without thinking it? How do you think Africa would use its hammer, Letter transcribed by Abel Akara Ticha, nail, chisel and plainer without first Communications Officer ECA/SRO-CA doing the math on the furniture in sight? Think, Mwalimu! Think! You see why we are resolved to thinking Ndenge Nini Mwalimu na ngai ? that sub-region of yours where all and rethinking it before showing it that seem to matter 24/7 are Palapa- to our leaders across the continent? I know you are probably saying: la by Manie Bella and Original by That’s how ECA has been steadily “Hakuna Matata, my friend!” Fally Ipupa?” refining the architecture behind what will eventually be Africa’s Yes, there’s no wahala this way too, Well, I tell you this: For starters, all ultimate engineering works. Mwalimu; just to set a few things work without play makes Jacque- straight after we got cut-off our line dull and Jack stupid, to say the As you and I make a mix of Lin- Google hangout yesterday, due to least. So allow us dance to those gala and Ki-Swahili whenever we bandwidth issues here. Well, guess beats when we can (BTW, I enclose chat, don’t you see we understand we shall soon be on our way to “original” videos of both songs for each other better and can operate broadband, if our Makossa bud- dies go fast on linking my duty station in Yaounde to their fibre optic network especially as they just acquired the WACS sea-cable land- ing point in Limbe on the country’s West coast. You remember our cry at ECA for Africa to use ICTs as a good place to start in leapfrogging certain stages in its development? Broadband would be no mean marker on this route. And we have been doing much concretely on this thematic. You can Google innova- tion prize for Africa and check. Cameroon’s Economy Minister (third from left) pays keen attention to a briefing related Anyways, let’s save this ICT palaver to ECA policy advisories, during a COPIL meeting in Yaounde for another day.

Whilst on the hangout yesterday, you kept poking me about how puffy my jaws had grown and how protruded my tummy was becom- ing due to my sitting all day, swive- ling at my desk and either paging through those heavy reports of ours or adding stats and literature to a draft volume which you think will never help Africa concretely. I remember you asked me: “When the UN turns 70 in 2015, what concretely will you have to show as Time to remember: COPIL meeting in Yaounde; in the front row are five Cameroonian your contribution to the develop- ministers, the Vice-President of the CEMAC Commission (woman in front) and top ment of our continent especially in officials from ECCAS, ECA and other partners

56 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions / Subregional Office for West Africa (SRO/CA)

with more ease to bind our several mittee for the Rationalisation of the good thing to provide relief when nations together as one big African Programmes and Instruments of needed – I guess people can see that Economic Community? Have you the sub-region’s Economic Commu- clearly! But it’s even a better thing been deaf to our agenda-setting on nities (known for short as COPIL) to develop the social and economic regional integration? Or you think is working. We know these things models that will preempt such we must shout it from the roof take time, so we regularly ring the humanitarian crisis in the long run. tops that we continuously give a alarm for the stakeholders. That’s the work of our architects, so prod to Africa on the great things let me continue paging and draft- it can achieve with regional inte- Mwalimu, I could go on and on ing. You’ll soon see how all of these gration? This is what SADC, EAC about how we are changing the come together with our calls for and COMESA are trying to achieve mindsets of leaders in Africa in structural transformation in Africa. with their Tripartite Free Trade general and Central Africa in Patience, Mwalimu, patience! Area taking shape. We have been particular especially on integra- encouraging ECCAS and ECOWAS tion but I know you are rushing Tikala malamu for now. to build such a bridge. At least, here to check things out in the refugee Your buddy, Mopao Molakisi – the in Central Africa, a Steering Com- camp under your supervision. It’s a great teacher!

For UN Staff Union Members UNECA - StaffVoice 57 Contributions from Staff

Literature resources on Ebola

The ECA Knowledge and Library on the crisis – immediately there This libguide juxtaposes a variety of Services has recently published a is a map, a daily casualty count scholarly sources, website, op-eds libguide on the topical concern of and scholarly content on the virus. and up-to-date information taken Ebola. A libguide is an electronic The Ebola: How to... page provides from twitter and a variety of news document which provides research advice, guidance and resources on feeds on this issue which concerns assistance on a subject of explorato- how to know, prevent, help and re- not only Africa but the world. ry interest. This particular libguide spond to the issue. What the world Instead of having to go to multiple not only reflects the voice of the is saying about Ebola provides links sites to get current news, multime- ECA Executive Secretary, Carlos to Youtube videoes and twitter feeds dia, pictures, videos, articles and Lopes on the topic but also presents on the impact of and response to social responses to the Ebola re- the voice of the wider Ebola Re- Ebola and finally Sources of News sponse, the ECA Library has made sponse effort being coordinated by on Ebola provide the most up-to- it easy for you to just go to one spot the United Nations. date newsfeeds from Reuters, BBC at: http://libguides.uneca.org/ebola. News and Podcasts, CNN, AllAf- Let us know what you think at lib- The first page, titled Ebola Virus is rica, UNNews press releases, NPR, [email protected]. the landing spot, and it pulls togeth- Relief Web and the Guardian. er multiple sources of information Up-to-date information on Ebola / Informations à jour sur le virus Ebola @ http://libguides.uneca.org/eca_ebola

5% discount for UN Staff Union members on purchases of 500 or more

58 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions from Staff

Thank you, President Barack Obama, for taking immediate action on Ebola

By Seble Demeke

2014 will be remembered as one of the most difficult years for Africans United States of America President Barack Obama holds a meeting with cabinet because of the challenge brought agencies coordinating Government Ebola response at the White House on 15 October 2014. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters about by the Ebola epidemic, which is looming over the continent. At a time when Africa is doing all it can to Governments’ efforts and resulted lets, are not giving enough attention lift itself out of poverty and achieve in the production of antiretroviral to the Ebola crisis in Africa. Ebola middle-income status, the shadow of drugs that helped to vastly improve has killed thousands of Africans death is spreading over it, threaten- the quality of life of HIV/AIDS pa- and infected many more within a ing to move slowly but surely from tients and control mother-to-child very short space of time since the one country to the next unless im- transmission. outbreak was officially recognized by mediate action is taken by all. the affected countries. It seems that Today, Africa is faced with yet an- the media are waiting to see deaths In this regard, a big thank you goes other epidemic, another crisis that in the hundreds of thousands before to President Barack Obama, who requires coordinated effort by the drawing the world’s attention to this took concrete and immediate action global community. Unfortunately, rapidly moving epidemic. by sending 4,000 US military men however, the world has adopted and women to affected countries a “wait and see” approach. Before My personal view, which echoes the and allocating $500 million dollars long, just as with HIV/AIDS, the concerns of many, is that, just like to help African countries to contain situation will get worse and require HIV/AIDS, the Ebola disaster will the spread of the virus. urgent global attention, which will knock at each individual’s door and cost much more in terms of human then the world will be forced to take Once again, the United States of and financial resources – resources action. Should we be witnessing this America has taken the lead in that could have been better used in a world so full of resources and tackling a major crisis facing Africa. for development purposes. The knowledge? My other question is, Former president George W. Bush World Health Organization first “Why are we so quick to forget our visited Africa several times during drew the attention of Governments tragedies until they rear their heads his presidency. During one of his to the issue way back in 1976, again in a worse form?” visits to Southern Africa, he became when the first Ebola outbreak was aware of the devastating impact that identified. If the global scientific Lastly, I would like to conclude by the HIV/AIDS epidemic was hav- community had come together thanking the doctors, nurses and ing, and immediately allocated $15 to come up with a vaccine imme- other individuals from around the billion to fight the epidemic global- diately after that tragic event, we world who are sacrificing their lives ly through the Emergency Plan for might have avoided the situation to help others. A special thank you AIDS Relief. As a result, the num- we are faced with today. goes to the Red Cross society, both ber of Africans receiving antiretro- national and international, and viral therapy increased from 50,000 It is also surprising to note that the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors in 2004, when the initiative began, giants of world news broadcasting, Without Borders) for their support to at least 1.2 million in early 2008. such as BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera, in the fight against Ebola. We are in This contributed tremendously to and even some African media out- this together.

UNECA - StaffVoice 59 Contributions from Staff

Executive Secretary’s Town Hall, We are kindly requesting the ES to convey to the Secretary-General, 21 October 2014: Statement on ECA staff’s readiness to join the staff concerns mission and also to contribute financially to the trust fund.

By Makane Faye, President, ECA Staff Union Executive We pay tribute to our three fallen Committee colleagues, the last one passed away yesterday. Sincere condolences to the UN and to their respective families.

On the Classification of G3 to G4 level This was authorized by you as soon as you took office, I was informed last week that out of around 15 very long serving G3 staff members who were expected to be classified, only 4 were recommended. Fortunately we reviewed the process with the Chief of Staff and agreed that the clas- sification criteria will be reviewed Makane Faye, SU, Carlos Lopes, ES & Collen Pelakile, Chief of Staff in order to bring the maximum number of staff on board; some staff have already retired and others are Dear Mr. Executive Secretary, On Ebola on their way out and would like to Mr. Executive Secretary, as of today, benefit from this process before leav- On behalf of the ECA staff and that over 4,500 deaths are recorded due ing the Commission. of myself, I would like to congratu- to Ebola in West Africa. As you late you for your notable achieve- rightly said during your interview I hope also that other staff members ments. Our best wishes accompany with Radio France International, no whose posts were supposed to be you in your plans ahead. economic development is expected classified several years ago and who from those countries in the coming are still in the pipeline will see their Dear Colleagues, year, in fact we expect zero or nega- process finalized soon. This was tive growth. discussed with Chief of Staff and he We welcome Mr. Collen Kelapile, made firm commitments towards a Chief of Staff, and other staff As part of the UN community, the successful settlement. members who joined the Com- ECA staff would like to participate mission here in Addis, in the in the UN Mission for Ebola Emer- On SCMS lateral moves SROs or in Dakar, since the last gency Response (UNEEMR). Africa We hope that the process is in Town Hall. We wish you all suc- First, means we should help ourselves line with the rules and regulations cess in your new assignments and before others come to our rescue. governing reassignments affecting enjoyable stay in your respective Hence, our staff is ready to volunteer. a large number of staff. Following duty stations. discussions with Chief of Staff, we In addition, Staff would like the were informed that this was in line Mr. Executive Secretary, today, we UN to put in place a mechanism to with the on-going restructuring in have many issues in our basket enable us and other UN staff to con- the Commission and specifically and hope you will be patient as tribute to the UN Ebola Trust Fund. lateral moves within Division of usual to listen to us and work I believe the same mechanism which Administration. Most importantly, with us to find acceptable solu- was set up after the 2010 Haiti’s it was agreed to hold consultations tions. earthquake would be suitable. with the affected staff to appease

60 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions from Staff

them and consider their choice Abuse of Authority and prohibited staff are subjected to degrading towards existing vacant positions conduct treatments. There are norms and on this lateral move. We were also Mr. Executive Secretary, we are values in this organization which informed that other amicable op- concerned regarding the on-going should be respected by everyone. tions would be considered. We are abuse of authority by some supervi- Some of the supervisors should be liaising with the Chief of Staff and sors which is counter productive aware that such actions are con- monitoring closely the situation. and major obstacle to get expected trary to SGB 2008/5. It seems that results from staff. ECA is an organ- those who know very well the issue Staff Union Restaurant ization which has a diverse makeup are exercising their abusive man- The Staff Union has been operat- of nationalities and cultures. Those agement system through the PIP ing a restaurant since 10 November who are joining it should be aware and staff e-performance thinking 2011 at the Green House, with an that there is a standard of behav- that their abusive character can opening ceremony graced by the ior, especially from those with a be covered-up through the PIP or former Director of Administration. supervisory responsibility. They e-performance system. Such staff The aim was to avail affordable food are expected to set examples of an members/supervisors were made and also local food for the majority international standard work ethic. in normal circumstances to accept of staff in a green environment with But instead, their treatment of staff receipt of the SGB upon taking the same or higher standard of the working under their supervision is their assignments with the organi- other restaurants operating in the totally unacceptable by any stand- zation. Furthermore, staff members compound. In addition, as we have ard let alone by the UN. The Unit- are required to undergo mandatory a group of staff working on week- ed Nations is an advocate of human training on the content of the SGB. ends, especially security officers, the rights and one of its core values We have discussed this issue with restaurant was mandated to open enshrined in the Staff Regulations the Chief of Staff and looked at the on Saturdays up to 3pm in order to which states that, “Staff members various cases which were made cater for these staff members. The shall exhibit respect for all cultures; known to the Staff Union. We have service provider’s contract has ended they shall not discriminate against been promised informal resolu- over one month ago, a new service any individual or group of individ- tions and further capacity building provider was selected following a bid uals or otherwise abuse the power programme. We are hoping that which was put out by SCMS. When and authority vested in them.” this action will help to solve the planning the contract contract current serious problems of abuse signature by the Staff Union, as we Unfortunately, it has been brought of power and prohibited conduct used to do, we were informed this to the Staff Union’s attention on going on in the Commission by time that the Staff Union cannot sign several occasions that some su- some supervisors and will not a contract with the service provider. pervisors are putting unnecessary require a further action by the ECA For the Staff Union, it is important pressure on their staff and at times Staff Union alone. to resume the services of the restau- rant whoever the signatory will be to enable the service provider start its operations and service adequately our clients. Discussions are still underway with OES but I would appreciate your kind intervention to speed up the process.

Headquarters Agreement The Staff Union would be grateful if discussion on the revised Head- quarters Agreement be engaged with the relevant Government Officials and be signed as soon as possible, replacing an obsolete agreement still in vigor. Staff at the Town Hall meeting

UNECA - StaffVoice 61 Contributions from Staff

CONCLUDING ON: Tree planting by Staff Members

Tree Planting of UN system organizations This year in the context of FUNSA, we have initiated a tree planting By Makane Faye, President of FUNSA exercise supported by the Minister of Environment Protection and Forest, (Message read by Abraham Tameru, Vice-President, ECA where the UN was represented by the Staff Union, Addis Ababa, 21 August 2014. ECA Chief of Staff. We would like to undertake this exercise on a yearly basis as our contribution to the green- H.E. Ato Belete Tafere ing of the planet, especially to the Desta, Minister of Environ- country which is hosting a large part ment and Forest, of the UN Organizations in Africa. Mr. Collen Pelakile, Chief of Staff and Representative Implementation of the Arusha of the Executive Secretary, Agreement Economic Commission for Signed by the Staff Management Africa (ECA), Committee (SMC) and approved by Dear FUNSA Council Col- the Secretary General, the Arusha leagues, Agreement aims at giving the former Dear Colleagues from ECA 200 series (Regional Advisors and and the UN agencies, project personnel) the opportunity to go through the required vetting Planting a tree is a won- process, (Central Review Bodies) in derful way to honor our order to be part of the One contract ancestors and also to honor system approved by the General the importance of what Assembly. In this context those staff the tree will provide to the members holding a 200 series con- world through its lifetime. tract would be eligible for continuing Trees take many years of appointments and would participate growth; and they are a symbol a bid to increase the forest cover- fully in the UN mobility scheme. of longevity, tranquility, and life age of the country. Deadline for implementing this itself. Trees can literally save lives agreement is 31 December 2014; and through the shade they produce, As you know, Ethiopia hosts I am pleased to inform you that the provide shelter for birds and small the ECA Secretariat for the 54 process has been concluded in ECA, animals, provide food to human Member States and offices for 6 months ahead of the deadline. beings; and add much to the over 20 UN Agencies. Hence, we appearance of the landscape, the see the involvement of the UN in E-Performance compliance atmosphere of natural beauty and this endeavor as very important. ECA has 95% compliance rate for serenity. Honoring the planting The participation of UN staff in the 2013-2014 cycle. I wish to con- of a new tree, like we are doing Ethiopia in this unique initia- gratulate all staff members for hav- today, through ceremony is an ex- tive would touch and change the ing finalized their e-performance cellent way of honoring the trees, lives of millions of people and process on time and HRSS for which are living creatures. also it plays an important role in having led the process successfully challenging Global Warming and on an innovative way. I urge staff to Ethiopia is planning to plant more Climate Change. Trees are closely undertake the mid-term review (if than eight billion tree seedlings linked with weather patterns and not yet done), which was expected across the country during this also the maintenance of a crucial to be carried out in September. rainy season. The country has balance in nature. Hence, envi- been planting trees in millions ronment protection is a universal I wish you all a nice evening. since the Ethiopian millennium in responsibility of all of us. Thank you.

62 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions from Staff

Planting a tree is a wonderful way to honor our ancestors and also to

Mr. Collen Pelakile, Chief of Staff and Representative of the Executive Secretary, delivering honor the importance of a message on behalf of the Executive Secretary accompanied by Abraham Tameru, Vice-President, ECA Staff Union, who delivered a message from the President of FUNSA what the tree will provide to the world through its lifetime. Trees take many years of growth; and they are a symbol of longevity, tranquility, and life itself. Trees can literally save lives through the shade they produce, provide shelter for birds and small animals, provide food to human Staff of United Nations system organizations ready for tree planting beings; and add much

This opportunity is a unique and im- 1,000 trees this year, which hope- to the appearance of the portant vehicle to raise awareness and fully will be the beginning of an landscape, the atmosphere strengthen the sustainable manage- annual event to make our mark felt ment, conservation and sustainable by the country. of natural beauty and development of all types of forests serenity. for the benefit of current and future I hope that the many Ethiopians generations. Our action is, we believe and foreigners who will see these an important gesture to Ethiopia in trees in the coming years will demonstrating UN staff’s concern notice that there were UN staff and at the same time making our own members who stayed in Ethiopia little but significant, contribution to and loved this land of Lucy; and we the cause of environment protection. are very happy to see that you are all observing with us this unique In collaboration with the Ethio- moment of the life of the UN in pian Ministry of Environment and Ethiopia. Long life to the trees, Forest, FUNSA is expected to plant Long life to All of You.

UNECA - StaffVoice 63 Contributions

Enhancing UN-Africa partnership using technology (ICT)

Special Contribution to UNECA staff magazine on the occasion of UN 70 years Anniversary

By Yimer Al Amin, Information Systems Technology Supervisor, ITSS/UNECA

such as food security, water, un- employment, energy, international migration, conflict, environment and climate change, communicable diseases, and human security – all with global dimensions, demanding global solutions.

UN-African relationship which is how to cement and enhance the partnership by exploiting the op- “Wherever I look, I see how tech- the other hand, there are situations portunity created by the advance- nology is transforming our world that led to frustration and disap- ment of Technology. for the better.”, Secretary-General pointment. The remarkable sup- Ban Ki-moon, Tallinn (Estonia), 16 port extended by UN to decolonize In the past, UN has focused on November 2013 African Countries from European social and economic policies Power and the failure to prevent the development and implementation The spirit of the UN is embodied Rwanda genocide can be cited as to address Africa’s development in its work addressing the world’s a case in point for both situations challenges. However, results show problems that no single country respectively. that sound policies alone could not can tackle on its own. Similarly, yield economic growth and human Africa’s tremendous challenges can- There has been controversy and development for Africa continent. not be tackled without the support criticism of the UN organiza- Studies suggested that policies must of International bodies like UN. tion and its activities since at least be supported by Africa’s public par- Present time, the main areas of UN- the 1950. Some have questioned ticipation in the decision making Africa relationship include conflict whether the UN might be relevant processes to bring meaningful solu- management, peace keeping/peace in the 21st century. tion to eradicate poverty, to achieve building, economic, social and millennium Development goals and technological sectors. The question now is what the future to attain sustainable and equitable holds to UN- Africa Partnership? development etc. My article revolves around one Does the UN still valuable to Africa? aspect of the United Nations turns In my opinion, the answer is a The UN’s strength lies in its univer- 70 next year. During these long resounding “yes” as Africa needs the sality and perceived legitimacy as periods of time, the UN-Africa United Nations now more than ever. these gives crediability and power relationship can be elucidated as a in formulating global norms and genuine partnership characterized The role of the UN will become principles which are acceptable by mutual respect and collabora- even more important in the years to the people of the World. Using tion which ends with success. On ahead as interlocking problems technology UN can enhance its vis-

64 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions

ibility to build trust and exert global novative ideas from Africa. The leadership. valuable inputs of Africa’s pub- lic can assist UN to formulate Visibility is an asset , UN should and promote the ideas which keep on investing on ICT to en- could reflect the best of UN hance the way it does business and over the past seven decades Your to improve its web presence as there and to achieve its vision to be a are UN Agencies in Africa whose “ power House of Ideas” . existence and activities not much Comments known to Africa’s people. 3. Engage Africa’s youth Furthermore, by using the appro- Technology is a vital tool to en- about priate technological solution, UN gage Africa’s youth in the work can support Africa in the following and processes of the United ways: Nations. It facilitates youth participation in all UN pro- Staff Voice 1. Support for advancement of e- jects and programs. It will also governance help to enhance debate among youth who are one of the main are most UN can facilitate knowledge and protagonists of the change in experience sharing on e-governance the society. among African and Developed welcome countries. For Instance, The re- To wrap it up, UN- Africa part- markable achievement of South nership is critical to Africa’s so- Korea, which was ranked 1st from cial and economic development the world both in terms of the E- and the partnership should be Government Development Index based on mutual respect and and the E-Participation Index as per genuine collaboration. Tech- UN e-Government Survey 2012, nology can be used as means can be shared to Africa. to provide support to Africa in many ways. With enhanced e-governance policies and implementation, It is through genuine and Africa’s government can redefine strong partnership that UN and reform the government sys- can build a better world for the tems through which services are people of the globe who will be delivered in a way that maximizes guided by common rules and development and enhance people shared values. There is also a participation. It will also enable need to steer together in the them to deliver better service to all multilateral institutions like citizen including the poorest and the UN that the enlightened most vulnerable citizen in equitable leaders of the last century have manner , to ensure transparency bequeathed to us, then indeed and accountability in the adminis- we can explore the hopes of tration process and to modernize the UN’s founding fathers, and Government Institution to deliver fulfill the continuing adventure effective services. of making this century better than the last. [email protected] 2. Attract innovative ideas Strong UN. Better World! Using the social media and other web resources, UN can lure In-

UNECA - StaffVoice 65 Contributions

The pragmatic relationship between organizational culture and knowledge management: the Case of ECA

By Bewketu Bogale, ECA/HRSS

In 2012, I joined the graduate pro- processes; to examine how the two gramme of Addis Ababa University dimensions fit or match to provide and completed a two-year Master the knowledge-culture interface of tive division, Division of Adminis- of Science programme in Human the Commission and also to explore tration, Sub-Regional Offices and Resources and Organizational how the two categories of UNECA IDEP. A representative sample size Development. In partial fulfill- knowledge-workers (i.e. knowledge- form Professional, National Officer ment of the requirements for the generators and knowledge-deliver- and General Service categories were programme, I conducted a research ers) perceive UNECA’s organization- chosen using a mixed sampling aimed at examining the relationship al culture dimension. Moreover, this method of stratified purposive and between organizational culture and research endeavored to examine the random-sampling took part in the knowledge management imperatives relationship and the predicting im- study. The data obtained through the of ECA. I am pleased to share the pact between organizational culture questionnaire was analyzed using executive summary of the research and knowledge management. descriptive and inferential statistical work which highlights the key find- tools such as percentage, frequency, ings, conclusions and recommenda- A cross-sectional and descriptive mean scores, standard deviation, tions of the study. I would like to design; and quantitative -survey standard mean error, t-Test, correla- take this opportunity to extend my method were employed for this tion and regression coefficient. heartfelt appreciation to UNECA study. Data gathering instruments staff members who willingly and en- such as a questionnaire and docu- The data collected and analyzed thusiastically devoted their precious ment analyses were used. An online has revealed that UNECA has an time and provided genuine inputs questionnaire was distributed to imbalanced organizational culture to the research work by completing 163 knowledge-workers, (working where one or two attributes of its the online questionnaire on time. I in seven offices of the Commission organizational culture profoundly hope this research work will have an located across the four corners of dominating its common values and added value to UNECA endeavors in Africa); 67 knowledge-generators; 96 behavior of its knowledge-workers. providing knowledge-based services knowledge-deliverers from Substan- Moreover, UNECA heavily relied to its member states and partners.

Executive Summary

The overall objective of this study is to examine the practical rela- tionships between organizational culture and knowledge management imperatives in the context of UN- ECA configuration. An attempt was made to identify the dominant or- ganizational culture and dominating knowledge management trends; to explore the fit between the dominant organizational culture and the most practiced knowledge management Figure 1: The knowledge-culture interface of UNECA

66 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions

on and limited to very few distinct essary level of alignment between or- knowledge deliveries, tolerate mis- knowledge management processes to ganizational culture and knowledge takes and build trust, on one hand deliver knowledge. Consequently, its management but also to ensure that and employees (knowledge-workers) knowledge-culture interface com- UNECA knowledge culture interface who should exhibit willingness to piled to accommodate a mismatch linkup with a feedback system that cooperate, show creativity and inno- between organizational culture and would further affirm organizational vation, demonstrate boldness to take knowledge management variables effectiveness. The required level of risks and enhance networking and and failed to bring the conceptual knowledge culture could be put in openness to change. knowledge management model place through a shared responsibil- (as indicated in the figure below). ity between management who are Key words - knowledge manage- The two categories of knowledge- expected to empower employees, ment and organizational workers perceived the organizational provide incentives, motivate, ac- culture of the Commission differ- ently and the variation was utterly significant. The organizational culture not only created a posi- tive and strong relationship with knowledge management dimen- sions but also had a predict- ing impact on the latter. These findings summed up to lead to a conclusion that UNECA has no effective knowledge culture that would have been streamlined and aligned to its refocusing theme to help in enhancing its contempo- rary efforts towards becoming a knowledge-based organization. That in turn would have contrib- uted tremendously to achieve the Commissions primary objective, i.e., to become and remain the premier think thank on Africa’s transformative agenda through purpose-oriented knowledge management.

In ordered to bring the required amalgamation between organi- zational culture and knowledge management, the overall recom- mendation of the study was that UNECA should revamp and dou- ble up the existing efforts to build an effective knowledge-culture by creating, developing and sustain- ing a strong and balanced organi- zational culture. UNECA should introduce organization-wide interventions that would not only last long to commence the nec-

67 5% discount for UN Staff UnionUNECA Members - StaffVoice Contributions

How is the UN perceived by its staff members?

By Tamra Tekeste, International Labour Organization (ILO)

Greetings! So today’s topic is about was first used in the Declaration knowing the historical background by United Nations of 1 January of the UN and finding out how it 1942, during the Second World is perceived by the general staff. War, when representatives of 26 Now, when we discuss about find- nations pledged their Govern- ing out how the UN is perceived ments to continue fighting by the general staff, I believe that together against the Axis Pow- we must initially define the follow- ers. Thus, states first established ing terminologies: vision, mission, international organizations to objectives, and goals so that we cooperate on specific matters. may be able to get a clear picture of where “we” the staff members of In 1945, representatives of 50 the organization stand. countries met in San Francisco nations of the African continents at the United Nations Conference following a recommendation of the According to encyclopedic refer- on International Organization to United Nations General Assembly. ences, a vision is defined as the draw up the United Nations Char- resulting perception gained after ter. Those delegates deliberated on On the other hand, many young a person has interpretedhis or the basis of proposals worked out staffs of my generation have ad- her surrounding environment by by the representatives of China, the vised me that their sole purposes or processing information that is Soviet Union, the United King- missions of working for the UN is contained invisible light. A mis- dom and the United States at to make a living and make great op- sion is defined as the purpose of Dumbarton Oaks, United States in portunities for themselves without a company or organization that is August-October 1944. The Charter feeling that they actually belong to guided by its actions, overall goals was signed on 26 June 1945 by the the system or that they are families and strategies. An objective is representatives of the 50 countries. of the UN itself. In fact, they have defined as basic tools that underlie Poland, which was not represented explained to me that the reason why all planning and strategic activities at the Conference, signed it later they think this way is due to the which serve as the basis for creat- and became one of the original 51 lack of awareness on the historical ing policy and evaluating perfor- Member States. background of the UN. mance.Lastly, a goal is regarded as Thus, the United Nations officially a desired result aperson or a sys- came into existence on 24 October Putting this issue into considera- tem envisions plans and commits 1945, when the Charter had been tion, I vehemently feel that there to achieve a personal or organiza- ratified by China, France, the Soviet should be a program organized tional desired end-point in some Union, the United Kingdom and by the staff union to bring about sort of assumed development. the United States and by a majority awareness of the historical back- of other signatories. In this regard, ground of the UN so as to enable Hence, coming to the history of the the United Nations Day is celebrat- all staffs to be aware of the potential United Nations, several research ed on 24 October each year. of their impactson their long-term findings including senior staff The United Nations Economic careers and also to enable them to members of the UN have defined Commission for Africa was estab- develop a sense of belongingness the historical background of the UN lished in 1958 by the United Na- into the system. as follows: The name “United Na- tions Economic and Social Council tions” itself coined by United States to promote economic cooperation President Franklin D. Roosevelt among its member states that is the

68 UNECA - StaffVoice Contributions

I am a mom and a UN employee, it can be done!

ZebibTekle, HumanResources Assistant DoA/HRSS (UNECA)

balance among five core pillars in hu- man life. These are education, family, spiritual life, physical fitness/health, career/finance. Most people spend so much time and energy focused on only few of them at the expense of the rest. However, all are equally critical to maintain a balanced and happy life.

The other most important thing I be- lieve is that these core areas are support- ive to one another. Failing in one affects Work life balance, going to the gym before or after work enables you to perform the stability of success of the others. We better (ECA Gym) may not feel it for the time being. But in the long run, we surely will.

I am a mom of a girl and a boy, who are 2.5 and 1.1 Therefore, I left myself with no option rather to en- years old respectively. After I gave birth to my second gage myself and my time properly to ensure that I am baby, I used to be 68kg, which is 11kg higher that my on the right track in these core areas, of which, physi- weight before giving birth. Now my weight is 58kg. cal exercise is one of them. I heard that most moms I do exercise regularly for the last 9 years. I even did excuse that they should give time to their kids rather YOGA until my pregnancy was 8.5 months and con- than going to gym. Yes, it is not easy but it surely is tinued to do simple exercise two months after delivery. possible to maintain a balance. We should also not forget that our kids also highly aspire to have healthy, Doing exercise is not an option for me. It is rather a fit, happy and motivated parents. lifestyle. One of my principle in life is to maintain a

I am Tsehay your cleaner at the ECA gym. We do our best to keep your fitness area clean. Come and get fit!!!!!!

UNECA - StaffVoice 69 Announcement

Message from CCISUA on the Pension Fund

Dear Colleagues, Chères et chers collègues, Firstly thanks to the 13,000 of you who signed the petition supporting our campaign to keep the pen- Nous tenons tout d’abord à remercier les 13.000 d’entre sion fund in the UN. vous qui ont signé la pétition de soutien à notre campagne pour garder notre fonds de pension au sein de l’ONU. The board of the fund supported this approach and asked that staff representatives be included in ne- Le Conseil d’administration du Fonds a soutenu cette ap- gotiations for an administrative relationship agree- proche et a demandé que les représentants du personnel ment, to be concluded by 30 September. soient inclus dans les négociations pour un nouvel accord administratif entre le fonds et l’ONU, et de finaliser cet ac- As of today, we have not seen a draft of this agree- cord avant le 30 septembre ment and regret the culture of secrecy instituted by fund CEO, Sergio Arvizu and his team. A aujourd’hui, nous n’avons toujours pas vu le projet de cet accord et regrettons la confidentialité extrême mise en We also regret the reports reaching us of an escala- place par le PDG du fonds, Sergio Arvizu, et son équipe. tion in threats and intimidation against pension fund staff, elected representatives and suspected Nous regrettons également les rapports d’actes de menaces whistleblowers since the start of our campaign. et d’intimidation, qui nous parviennent depuis le début de notre campagne, à l’encontre du personnel du fonds, leurs Furthermore, pension fund staff have been told that représentants et des dénonciateurs présumés. they may no longer report suspected fraud to OIOS but must report instead in-house. We have notified En outre, il a été demandé au personnel du fonds de ne OIOS of this and they are examining the matter. plus signaler les cas de fraude à l’OIOS. Nous en avons informé l’OIOS et ils étudient la question. And if it couldn’t get any worse, the Secretary-Gen- eral recently appointed a new Assistant Secretary- Cerise sur le gâteau, le Secrétaire général a récemment General of investments, with an interesting back- nommé un nouveau Secrétaire général adjoint des inves- ground (see news reports below). tissements. Cette personne a un passé intéressant (voir les rapports de presse ci-dessous). http://pension360.org/united-nations-appoints- new-cio-to-pension-fund/ http://pension360.org/united-nations-appoints-new-cio- to-pension-fund/ http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2001-10-30/ news/0110300143_1_pension-system-pension- http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2001-10-30/ fund-percentile news/0110300143_1_pension-system-pension-fund- percentile http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2002-11-19/ news/0211190230_1_pension-system-pension- http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2002-11-19/ board-bond news/0211190230_1_pension-system-pension-board- bond When we asked New York administration for an explanation, they confirmed that the incidents were Lorsque nous avons demandé des explications à known and discussed with the appointee during the l’administration de New York, ils ont confirmé que les inci- interview process; moreover, several background dents étaient connus et discutés avec la personne nommée checks were made and did not unearth any new au cours du processus de selection. En outre, plusieurs fact. The Secretary-General subsequently decided to vérifications d’antécédents ont été faites et n’ont pas mis à maintain his appointment. jour de nouveaux incidents. A la suite de notre réunion, le Secrétaire général a décidé de maintenir sa décision. The way our fund is managed affects each and eve- ryone of you and we will keep you informed on the La manière dont le fonds est géré nous concerne tous. progress of our campaign. Nous vous tiendrons informés du déroulement de notre campagne. Best regards, Meilleures salutations, The ECA Staff Union

70 UNECA - StaffVoice Announcement

Statement of the Coordinating Much therefore, hangs on the out- come of this once-in-a-generation Committee of International Staff compensation review, which while Unions and Associations (CCISUA) taking place in difficult financial times, needs to be fit for the perfor- to the Fifth Committee of the mance goals that you set us over the next five, 10, 20 years. A review that General Assembly needs to bring in staff that, we all hope will continue to raise the bar. Item 139, UN Common System, Monday 27 October 2014 Delivered by Ian Richards, President The staff federations are not the only ones saying this. Organizations have been vocal as well. Thank you Mr. Chairman and dis- mon system has shown itself more tinguished members of the Commit- relevant than ever before. Let me Last week I was in Bhutan, a beauti- tee, and good morning, give you an example from our host ful country, although challenging for country, the United States, where last our colleagues who live and work I speak to you today on behalf of the week’s survey showed that 74 percent there. At the UN Day reception I Coordinating Committee of Interna- of likely voters here believe the UN asked a few of them, drawn from tional Staff Unions and Associations, to be relevant and needed1. That’s the many languages and cultures, what better known as CCISUA. highest it’s been since they started the they valued most in their compensa- poll five years ago. tion package. They agreed the salary Allow me first to congratulate you was fair. However, the compensa- Mr. Chairman, and the Bureau, on And indeed, delegates, hardly a day tion package needed to respond to your election and trust that under goes by when our colleagues aren’t the sacrifices they and their families your wise leadership, this Com- in the news, handling ever more had made. One colleague told me mittee will this year complete its challenging tasks. The quality of our how her husband gave up his job deliberations by Christmas. output, our impact and reach is on to accompany her to a country for the rise. The expectations on our which he would find no employ- I would like to thank the ICSC for staff are even higher. ment. The higher salary for staff with their annual report, A/69/30, as well non-working spouses was therefore as the Chairman’s presentation. I Compensation review a clear motivating factor. Another would also like to thank the Chair said they liked that the education of ACABQ, the Director of PPBD, Therefore we must make sure that grant allowed them to send their the delegates speaking this morning, the globally mobile, diverse and children to school abroad in order and my colleague Diab El Taberi of performing staff our organizations to benefit from instruction in their FICSA. recruit to confront these challenges mother tongue, not available locally. are the brightest and the best, and Yet another appreciated the ability I will take this opportunity to com- naturally we need the right compen- to ship in much-need staples such as ment on particular aspects of the sation package to attract them. children’s clothes, food and medi- report on which we have concerns. cines from their visits to Bangkok. But first let me introduce my60,000 For this purpose, you, the member colleaguesat CCISUA. Many work States, have reaffirmed time and again It is clear that if our organizations in difficult locations, some in danger that professional staff be paid by wish to get their best staff to the of their lives. For example,on the reference to the best paying national field, which includes, as pointed out, frontline against extremism in Iraq civil service - the so-called Noble- more women, we need a compensa- and Syria, or responding to ebola in maire principle. And as the US Gov- tion package that is family friendly, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. ernment Accountability Office has respects cultural and linguistic certified, in two consecutive reports, diversity, and addresses the sacrifices Distinguished delegates, in the midst this is basically already the case. that our colleagues’ families need to of many global crises, all begging for make. 1 Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research Associ- a coordinated response, the UN com- ates

UNECA - StaffVoice 71 Announcement

Mandatory age of separation Women and UNFPA has publicly and the General Assembly will be urged support for this measure. more attentive to this. Once you get the best staff to the right locations, it’s important not Some agencies have complained We also take note of the Commis- to let them go. It’s regrettable that that this will upset their workforce sion’s conclusions on the undesir- some of our most experienced and planning. Others are undergoing able effects of trying to manage the productive staff are still required yet another round of reforms and five-year average margin. Managing to retire at 60 or 62. This stands in saythis isn’t the right time. Let’s not a trailing average of the previous five contrast to the comparator service, forget though that thishas been un- years is like driving a car, looking which has no retirement age at all. der discussion since 2009 and should out the back window. The graph have already been taken into account on Page 68 of the report, shows the Last year you considered the option in workforce planning in the or- disastrous and yo-yo-like effects that of current staff being able to choose ganizations where it exists, which ac- would result. to retire at 65 as of 2016. You asked cording to the Joint Inspection Unit for an in-depth study on the impact is almost nowhere3. As a result, 71 Pension fund of such a measure and now, this de- percent of retirees are rehired and we tailed and comprehensive study is in regularly receive reports of executive Let me end with a common system your hands. The results are clear. heads using their discretion to either issue of great concern to us, the extend staff beyond retirement age management of the pension fund, an Not only will this measure reduce or rehire them by demanding loyalty item you are also considering today. after-service healthcare liabilities of the kind that requires staff mem- by $31 million, it also reduces the bers to turn a blind eye to violations We welcome the decision of the pension fund’s actuarial deficit by of the rules4. fund’s board that it should continue almost a fifth – not to be dismissed to be administered by the UN Sec- when for the first time, the number If organizations are concerned about retariat, ensuring that the neces- of beneficiaries – those who take the impact on workforce planning sary management controls can be money out – is increasing while we propose that staff simply be asked maintained. participants – those who pay money to state well in advance their inten- in – are decreasing2. tion on whether they wish to avail of But we are concerned that the man- the choice to retire at 65. agement team at the Fund is actively Furthermore, the principal concerns seeking waivers to four important raised last year can be put to rest. Margin elements of the staff regulations. If The analysis shows this measure approved, we foresee reduced op- affects neither gender diversity, nor We also welcome the Commission’s portunities for qualified pensions geographic diversity, nor rejuvena- findings on the net margin5. We take experts in your countries to work at tion, nor organizational perfor- note of the Commission’s forecast the Fund and aweakened ability of mance. Other tools such as selection that the margin will reach the 115 OHRM to check abuses of authority. policy and performance manage- desirablemidpoint within two years. ment exist to address these, and the For CCISUA, even if we do not agree Firstly, management has requested use, or rather non-use of these tools with the freeze, this shows that the exemption from the UN mobility needs to be examined. current margin management system policy as its functions are special- has broadly proved itself, although ized. Yet, as you are aware,having And this, distinguished delegates, we should recall that in the last 15 passed the mobility policy in April, may well be why Secretary-General of 20 years, UN staff have received mobility already exempts specialized Ban Ki-moon, whose authority less than the 115 margin. We trust posts; this matter is moot. extends over the Secretariat, UNDP, therefore that both the Commission UNOPS, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN- Secondly, management wants discre- 3 Note of the Joint Inspection Unit,JIU/NOTE/2014/1, tionary authority to keep somestaff para. 107: “In general, organizations have no com- 2 The figure of 18.1 percent is reached by dividing the prehensive workforce/succession planning policies or beyond retirement, citing an IT estimated reduction in the actuarial deficit, reported practices”. in A/69/30, para. 95, as 0.13 percent of pensionable 4 Note of the Joint Inspection Unit,JIU/NOTE/2014/1, project. Such discretion will remove remuneration, by the total actuarial deficit, reported Executive Summary. incentives for workforce and suc- in A/69/9, para. 70, as 0.72 percent of pensionable 5 Now at 117.4 percent, with the five-year average at remuneration. 116.4 percent cession planning and does not make

72 UNECA - StaffVoice Announcement

strategic sense. The Fund’s new IT system will need to be implemented Ms. Judith Karl, a US national is by staff who can stay on for years appointed as the New Executive to come in order to manage and maintain it. Secretary of the United Nations Capital Development Fund Thirdly, management wants to promote certain colleagues from the (UNCDF) on 1 August 2014 G to P categories without passing through the exam, an issue on which you may well have an opinion. UNECA Staff Voice would like to take this opportu- nity to welcome Ms. Karl to the new leadership po- Finally, management has asked for sition as the Executive Secretary of UNCDF. “UN- the right to laterally assign staff in CDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the contravention of your own instruc- world’s 48 least developed countries. UNCDF has a tions, reiterated on many occasions, unique financial mandate within the UN system: it that all vacancies be advertised provides investment capital and technical support externally. to both the public and the private sector. UNCDF has proven its ability to deliver true leverage on smaller and more Distinguished delegates, all this is risky investments and interventions within its core areas of expertise: taking place in a UN department Inclusive Finance and Local Development Finance. UNCDF’s work whose management recently is- on inclusive finance seeks to develop inclusive financial systems and sued a directive forbidding staff ensure that a range of financial products is available to all segments from reporting fraud to OIOS. We of society, at a reasonable cost, and on a sustainable basis. UNCDF have also received reports of al- work on local development finance aims at ensuring that people in all leged threats against suspected regions and locations benefit from economic growth”.. whistleblowers. With $51 billion at stake, this is alarming. As Member During the month of September, the new Executive Secretary, visited, States,ultimately responsible for the Uganda, Ethiopia, and the United Republic of Tanzania. fund’s finances. I therefore trust that you will seriously examine these risks to the Fund.

In conclusion United Nations Women’s

To conclude, I am proud to speak Association (UNWA) before you today for members of staff, many of whom are serving in UNWA has published a COOK BOOK, entitled “Women United for hardship and in extremely difficult A Better World”. You can obtain a copy for Birr.200 (two hundred locations, far removed from this el- Birr). As you all know all funds raised by UNWA go to different egant conference room. In countless charities in Ethiopia. To obtain your copy please contact: areas across different continents they are doing incredible work, offering 1) Mrs. Amina Musa Latif shelter to the dispossessed, rebuild- UNWA Chair Lady ing countries and societies from the [email protected] rubble of conflict, working tirelessly Mobile Number:0920128258 to bring to life to the fine words that are spoken in this building. 2) Mrs. Marie Claere Nyiransabimana UNWA ViceChair Lady I trust that you will be able to give [email protected] serious considerations to the points Mobile Numbe: 0937449791 we have made, and I thank you.

UNECA - StaffVoice 73 From the News

The African Union Commission the regional mechanisms to prevent and control animal diseases that pledges one million to Ebola can be spread across the borders response and diseases which can be transmit- ted to humans from animals. These initiatives are being integrated into AU/WHO Joint Press Statement, 13 August 2014 established institutional structures of Regional Economic Communi- The African Union Commission Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to step up ties and Member States in order to and the World Health Organization Africa’s efforts and to consolidate ensure political support and long- Urge Member States to replenish global support. term sustainability. the AU Emergency Fund and the African Public Health Emergency “The Ebola Virus Disease outbreak The West Africa Ebola Response Fund to support affected countries demonstrates that there is still an Plan, developed by WHO in con- urgent need for the African coun- junction with the governments of Addis Ababa. 13 August 2014 – tries to strengthen their health Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone The African Union Commission systems and disaster risk man- requires more than $ 100 million pledged on Wednesday, 13 August, agement”, said Dr Pierre M’Pele- for additional health personnel, to support the ongoing continental Kilebou, WHO Representative to supplies and support to coordinated and global efforts to turn the tide Ethiopia, “The African Union and action. Surveillance systems and against the Ebola Virus Disease the World Health Organisation are community education needs to be outbreak in Guinea, Sierra Leone, working closely to mobilize African strengthened urgently to stop the Liberia and Nigeria with one mil- countries and the international epidemic. lion US dollars from its Humanitar- community to respond effectively to ian Fund. this public health emergency.” The current epidemic is the big- gest and most complex that the “The African Union Commission The African Union established the world has experienced since the is committed to ensure that meas- African Public Health Emergency first human outbreak occurred in ures are put in place to prevent the Fund in 2012 which is managed 1976. The current epidemic has a further spread of the epidemic and by WHO. More than $700,000 has total of 1848 suspected cases with that adequate support is provided been spent from the fund since the 1013 deaths reported by the World to the affected communities”, said Ebola outbreak began. The first Health Organization (WHO) as of 9 Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Com- Joint AU/WHO meeting of African August 2014. missioner for Social Affairs of the Ministers of Health held in April African Union Commission. 2014 in Luanda, Angola, issued For more information, visit a strong statement of solidarity, http://www.africa-union.org The African Union will call for which is now translating into action http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola an extraordinary Meeting of the with the contribution of $3.5 mil- Bureau of the 6th Conference of the lion by the Federal Republic of Ni- AU Ministers of Health in Sep- geria and $200, 000 by the Republic tember to lobby Member States to of Botswana to the on-going efforts. replenish the African Union Special Emergency Fund for Drought The Ebola outbreak is providing and Famine which will also now the impetus to speed up the estab- cover public health. In addition the lishment of the African Centre for meeting will also call for the WHO Disease Control and Prevention managed African Public Health for early detection, preparedness Emergency Fund to be replenished and response. It is expected that by to support affected countries. The early 2016 at the latest, the centre meeting will coincide with a donor’s should be functioning as an insti- conference on the Ebola Outbreak tution of the African Union. The taking place in September 2014 in African Union is also strengthening

74 UNECA - StaffVoice From the News

Six toxic beliefs that will ruin your always or never do. You may do something a lot or not do some- career thing enough, but framing your behavior in terms of “always” or Source www.linkdin.com, Emotional Intelligence “never” is a form of self-pity. It (Provided by Tsetargachew Zewde, Finance Assistant, makes you believe that you have no UNECA, Staff Union) control of yourself and will never change. Don’t succumb to it.

There is nothing wrong with mak- and earnings is so direct that every Toxic Belief #4: I Succeed When ing a mistake. It’s what you say to point increase in EQ adds $1,300 to Others Approve of Me yourself after you mess up that an annual salary. Regardless of what people think matter. Your self-talk (the thoughts of you at any particular moment, you have about your feelings) can When it comes to self-talk, we’ve one thing is certain you’re never as either magnify the negativity or discovered six common, yet toxic, good or bad as they say you are. It’s help you turn that misstep into beliefs that hold people back more impossible to turn off your reac- something productive. than any others. Be mindful of your tions to what others think of you, tendencies to succumb to these but you can take people’s opinions Negative self-talk is unrealistic, beliefs, so that they don’t derail with a grain of salt. That way, no unnecessary, and self-defeating. It your career: matter what people think about sends you into a downward emo- you, your self-worth comes only tional spiral that is difficult to pull Toxic Belief #1: Perfection = Success from within. out of. Human beings, by our vary nature, are fallible. When perfection is Toxic Belief #5: My Past = My All self-talk is driven by important your goal, you’re always left with a Future beliefs that you hold about yourself. nagging sense of failure, and end Repeated failures can erode your It plays an understated but power- up spending your time lament- self-confidence and make it hard ful role in success because it can ing what you failed to accomplish, to believe you’ll achieve a better both spur you forward to achieve instead of enjoying what you were outcome in the future. Most of your goals and hold you back. able to achieve. the time, these failures result from taking risks and trying to achieve As Henry Ford said, “He who Toxic Belief #2: My Destiny is something that isn’t easy. Just believes he can and he who believes Predetermined remember that success lies in your he cannot are both correct.” Far too many people succumb ability to rise in the face of failure. to the highly irrational idea that Anything worth achieving is going Talent Smart has tested the emo- they are destined to succeed or to require you to take some risks, tional intelligence (EQ) of more fail. Make no mistake about it, and you can’t allow failure to stop than a million people and found your destiny is in your own hands, you from believing in your ability that 90% of top performers are high and blaming multiple successes to succeed. in EQ. These successful, high EQ or failures on forces beyond your individuals possess an important control is nothing more than a cop Toxic Belief #6: My Emotions = skill—the ability to recognize and out. Sometimes life will deal you Reality control negative self-talk so that it difficult cards to play, and oth- Look at your feelings and separate doesn’t prevent them from reaching ers times you’ll be holding aces. fact from fiction. If not, you might their full potential. Your willingness to give your all in want to read it. Otherwise, your playing any hand you’re holding emotions will continue to skew These successful people earn an determines your ultimate success your sense of reality, making you average of $28,000 more annu- or failure in life. vulnerable to the negative self- ally than their low EQ peers, get talk that can hold you back from promoted more often, and receive Toxic Belief #3: I “Always” or achieving your full potential. higher marks on performance “Never” Do That evaluations. The link between EQ There isn’t anything in life that you

UNECA - StaffVoice 75 Continued from page 19 over the world and renewing our ness about clean energy and the pledge to peace. Our pledge never options available to access it. clearer than ever, that the social and to wage war is something that will economic transformation agenda of be handed down and fostered by We are completing assessments for the continent cannot be effectively the Japanese people for generation other African countries, including achieved unless child malnutrition upon generation to come. Ethiopia, where UNCDF’s annual is addressed as a priority. CleanStart Connect forum will take Ladies and Gentlemen, place on 29-31 October 2014 as None of this would have been part of a joint event with PAMIGA. possible without the support of As the only country in human his- Please visit us at www.uncdf.org/ our donors. I would like to specifi- tory to have experienced nuclear cleanstart. cally appreciate the support of the devastation firsthand, Japan bears African Development Bank, the a certain responsibility to advocate Rockefeller Foundation, the French for “a world free of nuclear weap- Continued from page 44 Government and OCHA. ons”. Japan has been, and is now, and will continue to be, a force lenging yet rewarding. Despite the Finally, I would like to take the op- providing momentum for proactive heavy burden of both communica- portunity to thank the team at the contributions to peace. ble and non-communicable dis- WFP Africa Office for their dedi- eases, the impact of climate change cation and commitment in 2014, We hope that this resilient sapling and disease outbreaks, Ethiopia has efforts that have paved way for one will grow into to a resilient tree, made remarkable progress towards of the best years to date for the Of- and that this tree with its message the achievement of the health relat- fice, hence laying solid grounds to of peace will live longer than any of ed Millennium Development Goals. achieve even greater results in the us, and stay alive forever in peaceful I see this as a result of the commit- years to come. surroundings here in Addis Ababa. ment, hard work and joint efforts of all health partners under the leader- Continued from page 27 I thank you for your kind attention. ship of the Government of Ethiopia. The United Nations cannot succeed resign ourselves to never letting alone, but in partnership with all something like that happen ever Continued from page 40 the stakeholders concerned. again. provide both partners with techni- Indeed, the United Nations is for H.E. Mr. Kazuhiro Suzuki, Ambas- cal assistance to design and market the united people from all corners sador of Japan, Mr. Eugene Owusu, new energy loan products, and of the world. The success of the UNDP Ethiopia Resident Represent- reduce the loan risk by provid- United Nations is for all, but its fail- ative, Mr. Abdalla Hamdok, Deputy ing risk capital to financial service ure, is only for us, the staff. Peace, Executive Secretary ECA, Ms. Lulit providers. solidarity, better health and quality Zewde, Acting Director-General of of life, can be achieved if we, the the International Organization, Min- We encourage the involvement United Nations work as One with istry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal of micro-entrepreneurs who can the united people of the world. Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. assist with local distribution and customer service and support the Ladies and Gentlemen, application of a number of tech- nologies like solar systems, biogas, At the time the United Nations was improved briquettes and more founded, Japan was recovering from efficient cook stoves. having been reduced to ashes. Since then, Japan has never for a mo- In Uganda, UNCDF will also sup- ment forgotten the horrors of war. port the government to promote We set out along our postwar path clean energy innovation, better abhorring the atrocities of war that product standards and work with bring tragedy to innocent people all partners to spread public aware-

76 UNECA - StaffVoice