UNDP Administrator to Visit Ethiopia (dhr. elkert)

Mr. Ad Melkert, the Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be in Addis Ababa on a two- day visit to Ethiopia from August 31- 1st September 2006, according the Agency's Ethiopia office.

The purpose of his visit, UNDP said, is to visit UNDP Country office including UNV, UNCDF colleagues) and the UN Country Team.

According to the UNDP office, during his stay, the administrator will also hold meetings with higher of the government officials, civil society and donors to get an on-the ground appreciation of UNDP partnerships.

"As part of the Support to Information Communication Technology Development and SchoolNet, UNDP has been involved in the establishment of Internet laboratories in preparatory schools in 181 secondary schools of urban and rural Ethiopia, Mr. Melkert will be visiting one of the internet laboratories the Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) high school," UNDP said.

He will also see Belbela "door" Soil Dam Small Scale Irrigation, which is sustainably managed by the farming community.

Belbela provides support to 300 households and supports a population close to 1500/2000 and a significant number of livestock. The farmers produce onion, potato, tomato, green pepper by irrigation, UNDP said.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Ad Melkert to serve as UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Mr. Melkert, a Dutch national, took up his assignment on 1 March 2006.

Since November 2002, Mr. Melkert has represented the Dutch constituency as an Executive Director of the World Bank, where he has been a strong advocate for increased donor coordination and harmonization, and the need for more equitable development policies, good governance and democratic institutions.

As Associate Administrator, Mr. Melkert oversees UNDP's programme operations worldwide and takes on other leadership responsibilities in the organization.