New York: UN chief tasks international community on Somali 'New Deal'

Thursday, September 19, 2013

advertisements

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the international community to align their political and financial support with Somalia's 'New Deal' to drive the country’s economic and political recovery.

'Today (Monday) we take forward that commitment by endorsing the Somalia New Deal Compact and aligning international support to implement its principles and priorities,' Ban said in his message to the High-Level Conference on a New Deal for Somalia delivered in Brussels by his Special Representative Nicholas Kay.

PANA learnt that 'The New Deal' was finalized on Monday.

It is seen as a roadmap for promoting state-building and peace-building over the next three years by focusing on the Somali political processes, security, legal system and economic foundation.

During the one-day meeting, hosted jointly by the European Union and the Somali Federal Government, the Somali leadership set out its priorities and plans on a course to deliver on them, while the international community laid out future support for those priorities.

The secretary-general noted that the New Deal was about the people, for the people, and with the people of Somalia.

'The meeting on Monday is a milestone, the beginning of a new partnership based on mutual commitments and accountability that bind all of us in support of Somalia,' he stressed.

He said the United Nations stood ready to assist the Government to coordinate international assistance in line with UN Security Council resolution 2102.

The UN chief also said that the UN would continue to support the Government’s efforts to bring the political process, security needs, human rights protection and development activities together under one framework.

The Organization will also continue to improve its own operations in Somalia, promoting international coordination and working progressively towards strengthening national systems'.

'The United Nations stands ready to play its part, particularly in promoting progress in relations between the Federal Government and other entities, including those in Puntland and Somaliland,' he added.

Some 200 government delegates attended Monday's meeting, along with aid groups and global finance institutions, and representatives of the UN.

Meanwhile, the UN Assistance Mission to Somalia (UNSOM) said it was also working to enhance the government’s capacity to provide basic services, justice and the rule of law.

Addressing the African Union Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Kay, who is also the head of UNSOM, said this support was not limited to the capital, but expanded to various regions including the facilitation of dialogue Somaliland and supporting an inclusive process for future elections in Puntland, among other issues.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online