Fifth International Conference on Federalism opens for the first time on African soil

Addis Ababa, 14 December 2010 (ECA) - Thousands of participants attended an inaugural ceremony of the Fifth International Conference on Federalism hosted by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa. The opening, held on December 13 brought together Heads of States, politicians, civil servants, academicians, civil society organizations and think-thanks, as well as young professionals working on federalism related issues.

The theme of this year’s conference, which ends on December 16 is ‘Equality and Unity in Diversity for Development’ and aims to tackle five topics: Federalism and the Democratization Process; The Impacts of Regionalization and Globalization on Federations; Unity in Diversity through Federalism; Federalism and Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Mechanisms; and Fiscal Federalism and Equitable Development.

The Economic Commission for Africa is among other partners supporting the Forum on Federation and the Ethiopian Government, in the organization of the substantive part of the Conference at the United Nations Conference Center.
For regular updates, visit the conference website: http://www.ethiopianfederalism.org/index.php?id=96

:: Statement by Ms. Jennifer Kargbo, Deputy Executive Secretary on behalf of Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA during the opening ceremony

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