Addis Abeba — A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on Thursday between the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and governments of Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom for the provision of $ 12 million towards the UN agency's activities in gender, governance, regional integration and intra-African trade from January 2008 to December 2009.

Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Abdoulie Janneh and ambassadors of the three donor countries, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective parties, the UN agency said in a statement.

Mr. Janneh, speaking on the occasion said it was a happy day for ECA to be able to secure the resources.

He assured the donors that ECA will be totally transparent with allocation of resources and provide donors with regular reports, the statement said.

Danish Ambassador to Ethiopia, Pernille Dahler Kardel, said on his part that agreement was a very important one and takes Denmark's relationship with ECA to a new level.

She said of Denmark's continued support to African institutions and welcomed the good collaboration "that exists between ECA and the African Union." On behalf of the Government of Sweden, Ambassador Staffan Tillander said he was honored to be able to provide support to the United Nations entity he said was doing very important work for Africa.

He said that in Sweden, "even before we get rid of our diapers, we learn to love the United Nations." He thanked Janneh for his leadership in the negotiations process which led to the signing of the memorandum.

Representing the UK government, John Marshall, Charge d'Affaires at the British embassy in Addis Ababa, reiterated his countries commitment to the United Nations and the cause of African development.

He stated his commitment to making the agreement work, which would establish the framework for long-term cooperation.

The ECA business plan for 2007-2009, outlines ECA plans for the three-year period and resources requirements, both from the regular budget and extra-budgetary sources, necessary to fully deliver the plan, according to the statement.

The government of Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom collectively form the Pooled Fund Partners- for financing arrangement-and has provision for other partners to join.

According to the statement, similar discussions are currently underway with partners.