France and Ireland sign Ethiopia's IHP+ Country Compact

10 November 2009, Addis Ababa – The Ethiopian Health Minister, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, representing the Federal Government of Ethiopia, Ms. Colleen Wainwright, Head of Development at the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and H.E. Ambassador Jean Christopher Belliard on behalf of the French government signed the International Health Partnership (IHP) Compact to harmonise their efforts and boost aid effectiveness in order to enable Ethiopia meet the Millennium Development Goals. The signing ceremony that took place at the Addis Ababa Sheraton Hotel – in conjunction with the 20th Global Fund Board Meeting 09-11 November 2009.

France and Ireland joined the African Development Bank, DFID, European Commission, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and World Bank, who signed the IHP document on 26 August 2008.

The IHP Compact, based on Ethiopia’s own strategy, known as the Health Sector Development Programme (HSDP), to improve health care services, would be closely monitored by both the government and its global development partners to ensure its effectiveness. Back in August 2008 both the government’s and its development partners agreed to adhere to the ‘one plan, one budget, one report’ mechanism underpinning the HSDP harmonisation and alignment manner - deemed to reduce financial gaps and ensure coordination.

Speaking on the occasion Ms. Wainwright said Ireland was a keen supporter of aid effectiveness and ready to assist Ethiopia’s encouraging results in the health sector.

Similarly, H.E. Ambassador Belliard expressed Ethiopia’s efforts as worth supporting. “We have witnessed effective progress due to strong government commitment and strong partnership. The French government is therefore pleased to be part of this remarkable effort”, added the Ambassador.

H.E. Dr. Tedros thanked Ireland for being part of the Joint Financial Agreement (signed on 16 April 2009) and both countries for joining the IHP Compact, which strives to place disease prevention and health promotion as the primary weapon as well as channel funding to crucial needs of the country. In his final words, the Minister urged, “... I would encourage more countries to join the IHP. I would also appeal to the global aid community to continue to foster greater harmonisation and to mobilise the financing needed to achieve the health MDGs”.

Dr. Fatoumata Nafo-Traore, Country Representative, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Nejmudin Kedir, Director General of the Policy, Planning and Finance General Directorate – FMoH and other dignitaries attended the signing ceremony.