NEW YORK – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday inaugurated a new UN office complex in Addis Ababa, saying the UN is better placed to deliver better results.
A UN statement issued in New York said that the new office was inaugurated at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) compound in the Ethiopian capital.
“This is a milestone for the UN and for its already close partnership with Ethiopia and with people across Africa,’’ Ban said.
He added that being together under one roof meant common services, economies of scale and the harmonisation of operations.
He noted that with the addition of the new facility, the ECA had become the third-largest UN duty station in terms of building portfolio, following New York and Geneva.
He commended the progress being made in Africa, and attributed much of the successes to the work done at the ECA.
“This is a time of multiple crises, but also one of great opportunity.
“It is also a crucial time for Africa, when great progress is being made in many ways,’’ Ban added.
The UN chief’s visit to the new facility came ahead of a visit to Djibouti.
It is part of a joint trip to the Horn of Africa uniting the capacities of the UN, World Bank, EU, Islamic Development Bank, and African Development Bank. (PANA/NAN)