Talking points:

SEEDS | Ireland-UNDP Signing Ceremony

Turhan Saleh, UNDP Resident Representative

July 4, 2019

Ambassador Sonja Hyland,

Colleagues and Friends,

·      We at UNDP are delighted to be formalizing our partnership with Ireland in support of the upcoming general elections in Ethiopia.  I wish to thank you Ambassador Hyland for your and your team’s trust in UNDP’s substantive offer through the SEEDS project and for having committed to join us in this journey that goes beyond the Elections…  It is a journey that strengthens and deepens democratization and the respect of human rights and diversity in Ethiopia.

·      We know that Ireland and many other partners who will be supporting the general elections share this vision and look at the upcoming elections as pivotal in Ethiopia’s democratization process.

·      The country has recently overcome a challenge that was threatening its political and security stability.  The most recent security breach – if I may call it as such – in Bahir Dar and here in the Capital City Addis, reminded all of us that political, social and economic reforms are always accompanied with critical risks and may prompt or result in destabilizing events.  In an Election period, these risks are exacerbated and we as the international community, as partners in development of Ethiopia, share the responsibility to equip and work jointly with the Government and all non-governmental stakeholders to ensure that the elections are performed in the most peaceful, inclusive and transparent manner.

·      UNDP’s support is centered on providing a platform for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.  A guiding principle for us in designing this project has been the enfranchisement of all segments of society, with specific focus on Women, IDPs and other minority groups. 

·      Democratic participation is all about inclusivity and providing the space for participation and we are confident that the SEEDS project will provide the support to NEBE to create these conditions for all segments of society to be empowered and provided with the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the public life of the country.  This will be a stabilizing contribution to the process.

·      Indeed, we see in this support an element of stabilization of the country and we are pleased to record today Ireland’s investment and support to supporting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections that would allow the empowerment of all factions of society and their engagement in the political process.

·      In closing, and on behalf of UNDP, I wish to reiterate our appreciation to the Government and People of Ireland for the support to the work UNDP is undertaking in Ethiopia.  We are very keen on seeing this support flourish and reach its anticipated outcomes.