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Norway will provide UN-HABITAT with funding to the
tune of USD 25.6 million to help implement a new
medium-term strategic plan aimed at strengthening
the agency, sharpening its focus on urban poverty
reduction around the world, and improving its
internal management.
A UN-HABITAT statement said that Ambassador
Elisabeth Jacobsen of Norway, had signed the funding
agreement with UN-HABITAT’s Executive Director, Mrs.
Anna Tibaijuka, on Thursday 3 April.
It provides for the provision of NOK 62 million (USD
12.2 million) for 2008 and NOK 68 million for 2009,
subject to Parliamentary reserve. At hand for the
signing ceremony were Mr. Erik Berg, of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Per Nygaard of the Ministry
of Local Government and Regional Development, and
Mr. Thomas Eid, the Deputy Permanent Representative
of Norway to UN-HABITAT and the UN Environment
Programme (UNEP). |
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Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, UN-HABITAT’s
Executive Director |
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Ambassador Jacobsen said the agreement signaled the
importance the Norwegian government attaches to the
work of UN-HABITAT and the agency’s efforts to
successfully implement its new Medium Term Strategic
and Institutional Plan. She said Norway paid
particular attention to the efforts relating to the
focus area on excellence in management.
Expressing her gratitude to Norway, Mrs. Tibaijuka
said: “To us the support given by Norway is a major
vote of confidence and consolidating Norway as one
of UN-HABITAT’s most important development partners.
We will make sure that the funding provided is put
to the intended use.”
UN-HABITAT’s new plan provides a road-map that
enables it to better assume its role in the
coordinated implementation of the Habitat Agenda in
a reformed UN. It gives concrete expression to its
mission by strengthening it, sharpening the urban
poverty reduction focus, aligning its work, and
improving the agency’s management systems.
The new plan also aims to hone UN-HABITAT’s network
of partners around the world. Key objectives include
developing and advocating norms of sustainable and
harmonious urban development. Others entail
improving global knowledge and understanding of
urban development issues, as well as building the
capacity of governments, local authorities and other
UN-HABITAT Agenda partners through technical
cooperation and training.
Courtesy: UN-HABITAT
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