Sri Lanka signs MOU with UN/ESCAP for Third Country Training Programme

Bangkok (United Nations/Information Services) -- Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of UN/ESCAP and H.E. Mr. Tyronne Fernando, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide technical assistance to developing countries for their economic and social development.

The MOU between UN/ESCAP and Sri Lanka was signed against the backdrop of the UN/ESCAP 58th Commission session, which is debating a re-orientation of its programme and conference structure.

"The Government of Sri Lanka has been carrying out a programme of human resource development for nominees from developing countries in South and South Asian region as a contribution to economic cooperation among developing countries in the region" said Mr. Tyronne Fernando.

The objective of the MOU and the programme is to supplement the efforts of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and UN/ESCAP in the provision of technical assistance for the benefit of the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Both the Sri Lanka Government and UN/ESCAP will share the cost of this programme. "UN/ESCAP has a mandate to carry out such programmes for the benefit of the developing nations in the region and we welcome this assistance in the spirit of South-South cooperation," said Mr. Kim Hak-Su.

UN/ESCAP is the United Nations' regional arm in the most populous region of the world and has the mandate to carry out technical assistance programmes for the benefit of its developing members.

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