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UNIDO DG Yumkella announces $2.5 million support to Ecuador's sustainable industrialization development initiatives: Receives “Key to the City” of Quito

By Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara, Jnr.
UNIDO DG Yumkella announces 2.5 million support to Ecuador's sustainable industrialization development initiatives: Receives Key to the City of Quito
13.06.2012 LISTEN

QUITO, Ecuador - Rafael Vincente Correa Delgado, president of the Republic of Ecuador has accorded the red carpet welcome to United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) director general Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella at his official residence, the Carondelet palace in Quito, amid pomp and pageantry and full state honours.

Central to their discussions was the need for Ecuador to use its resources to encourage the promotion of green growth and green industries to achieve sustainable industrial development which in turn helps to reduce poverty, foster inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.

Pledging to use his organization's resources to help Ecuador achieve its goals, Yumkella announced the sum of $2.5 million to be used in projects undertaken by UNIDO including the provision of technical assistance, energy access and equipment to be used in the removal of toxic substances affecting the ozone layer.

Dr. Yumkella's meeting with President Correa was followed by a Press Conference (una rueda de prensa) accompanied by Minister of Industry and Productivity Verónica Sión de Josse. The three day visit marks DG Yumkella first official mission to the Latin American nation following an invitation delivered by vice president Lenin Moreno on behalf of the government and people of Ecuador and the election of the Minister of Industry and Productivity to the presidency of UNIDO's 14th General Conference held in November, 2011.

58 year old paraplegic Moreno was reportedly a successful lawyer and politician before he was shot in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito. Through the power of laughter, eventually becoming a motivational speaker, he was able to overcome his injury which left him bedridden with neurological pain for about 4 years. Since becoming vice president, Moreno transferred the country's disability services to his office and has since been making sweeping changes to the way Ecuador treats the disabled. Such changes was noticed when the country's budget for the disabled was raised from $100.000 to $65million.

As part of his activities, DG Yumkella also met with Ecuador's VP Moreno and the ministers responsible for Industry and Productivity, Electricity and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Heritage. He also attended an event organized by the Ministry of Industry and Productivity where his delivery on the need for energy access, industrialization and sustainable development was highly commended.

Meanwhile, on another engagement, Dr. Yumkella was also bestowed with the “Key to the City” (Metropolitan District) of Quito for his outstanding contributions around the world on international development. Welcoming him at the Municipality of Quito, the deputy mayor (El vicealcalde), Jorge Alban informed Dr. Yumkella that the city of Quito has over the years developed several policies for the efficient management and control of the environment and climate change. "UNIDO will find in the country, particularly in the city of Quito, a partner that cares deeply about the environment,” noted Alban.

"We are confident that if we have better cities in the areas of services, citizens will have a better quality of life. We are therefore committed to working with the mayors and deputy mayors to become partners in our drive to achieving sustainable development,” responded Yumkella as he registered his appreciation to the deputy mayor and the citizens for honoring him with the “Key to the City.” Following the ceremony, Dr. Yumkella was taken on a conducted tour of St. Augustine's Convent which houses important architectural, religious and artistic paintings by the renowned painter Miguel Quito Santiago.

Both Yumkella (53) and President Correa (49) are proud alumni of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where they also received the Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Award for Exceptional Achievement. Yumkella who graduated in 1991 with a PhD in Agricultural Economics received the award in 2007. President Correa, the 2009 recipient received a Master's degree in 1999 and a PhD in 2001 in Economics.

Both men also served in the academic arena. Yumkella was a professor at the Michigan State University from 1991-96 prior to serving his native Sierra Leone as Minister of Trade, Industry and State Enterprises before joining his current organization UNIDO and Correa was professor and head of the department of Economics at San Francisco de Quito University before he became Minister of Finance and Economy.

DG YUMKELLA AND ECUADORIAN VICE PRESIDENT LENIN MORENODG YUMKELLA AND ECUADORIAN VICE PRESIDENT LENIN MORENO

DR. YUMKELLA AND MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND PRODUCTIVITY DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCEDR. YUMKELLA AND MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND PRODUCTIVITY DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE

DR. YUMKELLA AND PRESIDENT CORREA OF ECUADORDR. YUMKELLA AND PRESIDENT CORREA OF ECUADOR

UNIDO DG YUMKELLA DEPARTS THE PALACEUNIDO DG YUMKELLA DEPARTS THE PALACE

VICE ALCALDE ALBAN DEPUTY MAYOR PRESENTS DR. YUMKELLA WITH QUITO'S PROCLAMATION AND KEYVICE ALCALDE ALBAN (DEPUTY MAYOR) PRESENTS DR. YUMKELLA WITH QUITO'S PROCLAMATION AND KEY

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