President Riyale talking to Mr. Mark Bowden, coordinator for the UNDP Humanitarian office

Hargeysa, Somaliland, 12 June 2008 - The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Dahir Riyale Kahin hosted an official reception for the delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) last night at the presidency in Hargeysa.

The UNDP delegation included Mr. Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Director for the UNDP office for the Arab region, Mr. Mark Bowden, coordinator for the UNDP Humanitarian office, Mr. Bruno Lemarquis, Somaliland and Somalia office coordinator and several other senior officers from the UNDP office in Hargeisa. The UNDP delegation is on a short visit to Somaliland to evaluate the current UNDP projects in the country.

Mr. Abdoulaye Mar Dieye gave a brief statement to thank the government and the people of Somaliland for the warm welcome afforded to the delegation during their stay in Somaliland and also praised Somaliland for the security and stability currently prevailing in the nation.

 Mr. Mar Dieye also stated that the UNDP has been able to increase its funding for projects in Somaliland during this fiscal year.

In response, the President of Somaliland, Dahir Riyale Kahin thanked the UNDP office for its continued support of the development in Somaliland and gave an overview of the nation's recovery from the destruction at the hands of the Barre regime during the civil war between 1988-1991.

President Riyale also stated that it is the aim of Somaliland to continue on its democratic path coupled with good governance and strong social development through dialogue, discussion and consensus.

President Riyale assured the visiting delegation that the upcoming Somaliland Presidential and local assembly elections will be held as declared in the recent tri-party agreement.

In conclusion, President Riyale requested that the UNDP and other UN agencies take further steps to assist Somaliland in combating the global increase in food and fuel prices, especially, since Somaliland does not receive direct aid due its lack of international recognition.

Attendees at the official reception for the UNDP delegation included, Madame Huda Burkhad, the first lady, and several senior Somaliland ministers including the Finance minister, Mr Hussien Ali Duale, Minister of Planning, Mr Ali Ibrahim, Foreign Minister, Mr Abdillahi Mohamed Duale and staff from the President's protocol office.

Source: Qarannews