On 29 July, 2013, a signing ceremony for a project document to establish the Ethiopian International Peacekeeping Training Center (EIPKTC) took place between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the UNDP.  Based upon this document, the Government of Japan sponsored this project through the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund in New York by providing 790,000 USD [equivalent to about 14.77 million ETB at the current exchange rate]. Out of this, 590,000 USD will be used for the construction of a lecture building, while 200,000 USD will be used for the formulation and rollout of peace-keeping courses related to conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction.  

   H.E. Ato Ahmed Shide, State Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Maj. General Hassan Ebrahim, Head of the Ethiopian International Peacekeeping Training Centre (EIPKTC) and Dr. Samuel M. Bwalya, UNDP Country Director, signed the document, while H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, witnessed as a donor.

   Commending Africa’s efforts and leadership in keeping the continent’s peace and stability, H.E. Ambassador Kishino on the occasion remarked that this year Japan already disbursed 550 million USD to support the consolidation of peace in Africa. 0912010886

   As expressed at the fifth Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD V) in Yokohama this June, we will continue to support Africa’s efforts on conflict prevention and resolution, peace-building, peace support operations and post-conflict reconstructions, in particular those carried out by the African Union and Regional Economic Communities”, His Excellency Ambassador Kishino said.

   His Excellency Ambassador Kishino also mentioned, “Since 2008, Japan has supported 11 Peacekeeping Operation (PKO) Training Centers and similar programs in Africa by extending 31 million USD and dispatching 27 lecturers to make intellectual contributions.”  

   His Excellency also noted the EIPKTC is the twelfth PKO Center Japan will support in Africa, adding that Ethiopia has played an important role in peace-keeping operations, commending Ethiopia’s role in UNISFA in Abyei and UNAMID in Darfur.

   Finally, His Excellency Ambassador Kishino expressed his strong desire for the EIPKTC to play an essential role in developing the necessary skills of Ethiopian and other African troops.

29 July, 2013
Embassy of Japan
Addis Ababa