UN, World Bank pledge peace, security and economic development for Great Lakes regions
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim pledged that both of their global organizations will work closely together to bring peace, security and economic development for the Great Lakes region.
The two global leaders made the pledge Friday May 24, 2013, after ending a three day historic mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda, a press release has said.
“The Framework agreement is the first step in bringing peace and security to this region. Each country’s leader must now take full advantage of the opportunity to cement stability and provide the benefits of economic progress to all of their people, “I believe the United Nations-World Bank Group collaboration injects a new spark of hope into a region desperate for good news,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
The World Bank President Jim Yong Kim praised the leaders of the three countries as well as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for their commitment in supporting the framework agreement, but added that more needs to be done.
“We need to take united action now because peace will not happen without development, and development will not happen without peace, “The leaders of the Great Lakes region have an opportunity to build on the United Nations’ and World Bank Group’s commitment to do whatever it takes to end poverty and build prosperity for so many who suffered for years. The world needs to say loud and clear that what has happened for more than a generation in the Great Lakes can no longer continue. It is a stain on our collective moral conscience,” he added.
The release stated that, the visit by the heads of the United Nations and the World Bank Group heralds an unprecedented level of cooperation between the two global institutions and signals their determination to support African leaders who lead their countries out of conflict and into a new era of peace, stability and prosperity.
By Dorcas Appiah