NEW YORK, 8 March: The United Nations Democracy Fund, an initiative which supports projects to strengthen new and restored democracies, has received a 10 million US dollar (57 mio. DKR) contribution from Japan, and the country now joins the ranks of the United States, India and Qatar as the Funds largest donators.
Established in July 2005 by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Fund “currently finances more than a hundred projects around the world aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and supporting democratic civil society organizations,” said Michele Montas, the Secretary-Generals spokesperson.
Projects receiving the Funds assistance include two awarded to Liberia late last year in the amount of 500.000 dollar to fight corruption, professionalize the legislature and increase youth participation in the political process.
The Fund, headquartered in New York, is financially supported through voluntary contributions and aims to complement the work of UN agencies.
To date, almost 30 Member States have contributed to the Fund, and Japans donation brings the Funds current capacity to 65 million dollar, which Ms. Montas said will finance a new round of projects to be announced this spring.
Kilde: FNs nyhedstjeneste
