ADDIS ABABA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A signing ceremony was held on Friday between the Ethiopian government and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) for the renovation of UNECA Headquarter in Addis Ababa that is expected to cost 57 million U.S. dollars to finish.
The renovation project will focus on the oldest building in the UNECA, the Africa hall inaugurated by Ethiopia's last emperor Haileselassie I in February 26, 1961 was at the time dubbed a representation of Africa's history, culture and unity during the optimistic early years of post-colonial Africa.
However, the building's deterioration in recent years prompted the UN General Assembly in 2016 to approve 57 million dollars from the regular budget for the purposes of UNECA HQ renovation.
UNECA Executive Secretary Vera Songwe said the renovation of UNECA HQ is being done with a view to ensuring her organization can give efficient and modern services for the 21st century.
"The whole construction is one of the biggest budget for construction that we have in the whole of the UN, this is how important this project is not only in the continent but also beyond," she said.
"In the UN offices in the likes of Geneva and New York cities, we have state of the art facilities, this expansion of UNECA HQ in addition will add a few more state of the art rooms and facilities," she further said.
UNECA was established by the UN Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions. Its mandate is to promote economic and social development of its member states, foster intra-regional integration and promote international cooperation for Africa's development.
