The UN country Team composed of 25 agencies opened its first annual retreat today May 14, 2008 in Mekelle in the Tigray region in Ethiopia in presence of the Mr. Tsegaye Berhe, President of Tigray Regional State. In his opening remarks, Mr. Fidele Sarassoro, the UN Resident Coordination indicated that the overall objective of the meeting was to bring the UN system together to take stock of the activities of the agencies, document lessons learnt and agree on a roadmap for the continuous cooperation with the Government of Ethiopia. The agencies will also address strategic elements of the UN Reforms with the view of improving effectiveness in the UN programs in Ethiopia work in a more coordinated manner.
During the two day meeting the heads of the UN agencies in Ethiopia will discuss such important issues as the global food crisis, climate change, the current drought situation and their implications for Ethiopia.
On May 13, 2008 the Representatives of the UN agencies visited Axum the site of a major initiative undertaken by the Government of Ethiopia to restore and erect an obelisk that was returned by at its original site. This project that is supported technically by UNESCO will be completed in September 2008 according to Mr.Nurleldin Satti, the UNESCO representative in Ethiopia.