The Executive Secretary of Intergovernmental Authority on Development His Excellency Eng. Mahboub M. Maalim and Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Finland Counsellor Mr. Simo-Pekka Parviainen signed today in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia a wide ranging multi-year cooperation and support agreement, which steps up Finnish support to the IGAD organization and strengthens regional integration in Horn of Africa/IGAD region. Apart from the African Union, regional integration process is practically advanced by the African Regional Economic Communities, which are the  relevant building blocks of the African Union.

This cooperation has 3 components. The first component aims to establish in the IGAD Secretariat a Project Preparation and Management Unit to prepare and run significant regional infrastructure projects. This unit is in the first stage manned by experts from IGAD region and Finland. The unit will be operational from October 1st 2011 and the approved budget is 1,43 million euros.

The second component is to contribute to IGAD capacity building – the Joint Financing Arrangement in line with Paris declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Finland has now contributed 360 000 euros to this fund supported by Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The third component continues the ongoing Finnish support to crucial IGAD peace and security activities in the Sudan – the office of the Special Envoy to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of year 2005. This support amounts to 110 000 euros in the fiscal year 2011.

For further information please contact:
IGAD: Program Manager  Planning & Coordination  Mr. Ahmed Habbane
Tel. +253 35 40 50, + 253 31 27 04 email: ahmed.habbane@igad.int
Embassy of Finland: Counsellor, Mr. Simo-Pekka Parviainen
Mob. +251911507827, email: simo-pekka.parviainen@formin.fi