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Japan contributes USD 10 Million to UN Democracy Fund

Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies

United Nations -- Japan contributed USD 10 million to the United Nations Democracy Fund, an initiative which supports projects to strengthen new and restored democracies. Nearly 30 member states contribute to the Fund and Japan's contribution makes it one of the largest donor along with India, the United States and Qatar. "Japan sincerely hopes the assistance through the UN to those countries that wish to promote and consolidate their democracies would contribute to the realisation of a peaceful and prosperous world," Ambassador Kenzo Oshima said in a letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announcing his country's intention of contributing to the fund. "The Fund currently finances more than a hundred projects around the world aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and supporting democratic civil society organisations," said Michele Montas, the Secretary-General's spokesperson.

Japan's donation brings the Fund's current capacity to USD65 million, which Montas said will finance a new round of projects to be announced shortly. Projects receiving the Fund's assistance include two awarded to Liberia late last year in the amount of USD500,000 to fight corruption, professionalise the legislature and increase youth participation in the political process.

The Fund was established in July 2005 by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan and has its headquarters in New York. It is supported through voluntary contributions and aims to complement the work of UN agencies.

 

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