Japan made additional contribution of 5.52 million USD to UNIDO projects in Africa and the Middle and Near East
2017/3/30
The Government of Japan has funded further humanitarian assistance projects in Africa and the Middle and Near East, to be carried out in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with approximately 5.52 million USD from its supplementary budget. With this funding, eight projects in total will be implemented in seven countries, namely, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Somalia, South Sudan and Turkey.
The project kick-off ceremony was held at the Vienna International Center on 30 March 2017, in the presence of Ambassador Mitsuru Kitano of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Mr. Li Yong, Director-General of UNIDO, and the representatives of the recipient countries, including H.E. Ambassador Al-Khairalla of the Permanent Mission of Iraq. UNIDO staff members, including Japanese members who formulated the projects, also attended.
The project kick-off ceremony was held at the Vienna International Center on 30 March 2017, in the presence of Ambassador Mitsuru Kitano of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Mr. Li Yong, Director-General of UNIDO, and the representatives of the recipient countries, including H.E. Ambassador Al-Khairalla of the Permanent Mission of Iraq. UNIDO staff members, including Japanese members who formulated the projects, also attended.
These UNIDO projects support societies which are facing serious difficulties of humanitarian nature. They will support refugees, IDPs and their host communities, giving special attention to those who are most vulnerable to the impact of crises such as women and youth. The projects will provide vocational training, support entrepreneurs and create jobs. Their aim is to assist those affected in strengthening their livelihood, with a view to stabilizing society. They are in line with the ideas of “strengthening the humanitarian - development nexus” and “human security”, which are key policies of Japan’s development aid.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Kitano explained the basic ideas and purposes of Japan’s funding as above, and appreciated the role to be played by UNIDO in bridging the gap between humanitarian and development aid. He expressed his hope that these projects would strengthen the ties between the recipient countries and Japan. He also commended UNIDO for producing tangible outcomes through its projects based on the realities of the recipient’s needs. He further pointed out UNIDO’s advantage in serving as a platform for donor-recipient partnerships, and expressed the hope that the technology and know-how of developed countries, including Japan, would contribute to the industrialization and stabilization of recipient countries.
The Director-General, on his part, emphasized that the idea of “human security” is widely supported by many countries and the UN. He presented the projects funded by Japan which, based on this idea, focus upon the building of self-help capacity of the most vulnerable. He then expressed his deep appreciation for Japan’s support to, and trust in UNIDO.
Partner countries also expressed their appreciation. Ambassador Al-Khairalla of Iraq underlined that Japan was an important partner in the reconstruction of Iraq and the fight against terrorism, and appreciated Japan’s support for humanitarian challenges and stabilization of the affected areas. Representatives of the Missions of Iran, Lebanon and Turkey also thanked Japan for its projects in support of their efforts to address serious national difficulties, respectively, such as the influx of refugees and IDPs.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Kitano explained the basic ideas and purposes of Japan’s funding as above, and appreciated the role to be played by UNIDO in bridging the gap between humanitarian and development aid. He expressed his hope that these projects would strengthen the ties between the recipient countries and Japan. He also commended UNIDO for producing tangible outcomes through its projects based on the realities of the recipient’s needs. He further pointed out UNIDO’s advantage in serving as a platform for donor-recipient partnerships, and expressed the hope that the technology and know-how of developed countries, including Japan, would contribute to the industrialization and stabilization of recipient countries.
The Director-General, on his part, emphasized that the idea of “human security” is widely supported by many countries and the UN. He presented the projects funded by Japan which, based on this idea, focus upon the building of self-help capacity of the most vulnerable. He then expressed his deep appreciation for Japan’s support to, and trust in UNIDO.
Partner countries also expressed their appreciation. Ambassador Al-Khairalla of Iraq underlined that Japan was an important partner in the reconstruction of Iraq and the fight against terrorism, and appreciated Japan’s support for humanitarian challenges and stabilization of the affected areas. Representatives of the Missions of Iran, Lebanon and Turkey also thanked Japan for its projects in support of their efforts to address serious national difficulties, respectively, such as the influx of refugees and IDPs.
[Links]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_001530.html
[The UNIDO projects and funded amounts:]
Iran (500,000 USD)
“Promoting integration of industries in Chabahar into global/regional market through upgrading and market access promotion”
Iraq (1,800,000 USD in total)
Lebanon (600,000 USD)
“Strengthening job creation in the agro-food sector in Lebanon through skills training and improving manufacturing capacities”
Liberia (600,000 USD)
“Promoting social stabilization through vocational training and job creation for the vulnerable people and communities in the Post-Ebola Liberia”
Somalia (600,000 USD)
“Community Stablization for Returnees, IDPs and Host Communities in Dhobley and Afmadow”
South Sudan (600,000 USD)
“Increased Resilience and Self-help Capacities for Reconstruction of Livelihoods and Sustained Nutritional Food Security in South Sudan”
Turkey (840,000 USD)
”Vocational Training on Apparel Manufacture for Syrian Refugees in Turkey”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_001530.html
[The UNIDO projects and funded amounts:]
Iran (500,000 USD)
“Promoting integration of industries in Chabahar into global/regional market through upgrading and market access promotion”
Iraq (1,800,000 USD in total)
- “Creating employment and improving food security for refugees, IDPs, and host Communities in Northern Iraq” (960,000 USD)
- “Integrated stabilization, economic recovery and reconstruction support for communities affected by conflict in Iraq” (840,000 USD)
Lebanon (600,000 USD)
“Strengthening job creation in the agro-food sector in Lebanon through skills training and improving manufacturing capacities”
Liberia (600,000 USD)
“Promoting social stabilization through vocational training and job creation for the vulnerable people and communities in the Post-Ebola Liberia”
Somalia (600,000 USD)
“Community Stablization for Returnees, IDPs and Host Communities in Dhobley and Afmadow”
South Sudan (600,000 USD)
“Increased Resilience and Self-help Capacities for Reconstruction of Livelihoods and Sustained Nutritional Food Security in South Sudan”
Turkey (840,000 USD)
”Vocational Training on Apparel Manufacture for Syrian Refugees in Turkey”