Mr Abdul Minty, the acting Director-General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, yesterday handed over a cheque for R 940 000 to the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr David Whaley as South Africa's yearly voluntary contribution towards meeting the local operational costs of the UNDP.
The UNDP has, since the first democratic elections in South Africa, played a very important role in support of a wide range of development initiatives launched by national institutions, agencies and the civil society, towards the reduction of poverty, promotion of sustainable livelihood and sound governance.
The UNDP has during 1998 assisted in the formulation of policies regarding Health Service and Population Development. It has provided valuable assistance in the small and medium business projects as well as assisting in community based projects such as Working for Water, in Tsitsikama, the Reproductive Health Centre and housing.
South Africa became a member of the UNDP Executive Board during 1998. The Board visited South Africa during the period 1 to 9 August 1998 to carry out a comprehensive over-all assessment of the progress made by the UNDP regarding its programme of assistance to South Africa.
The UNDP has assisted in capacity building for provincial and local governments, especially in the provision of medical officers in rural areas within the provinces.
The South African Government will continue to cooperate with the UNDP in all its programmes intended for the promotion of poverty eradication, good governance and small and medium businesses.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
18 MARCH 1999