H.E. Alemante Agidew, State Minister of Government’s Legal and Justice Service Division, Meets with UNODC East Africa Representative Mr. Neil J. Walsh
HE Alemante Agidew, State Minister of Ethiopia’s Government Legal and Justice Service Division, held a productive meeting with Mr. Neil J. Walsh, the East Africa Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
During the meeting, HE Alemante Agidew extended a warm welcome to Mr. Neil J. Walsh and his team and acknowledged the invaluable support provided by UNODC to Ethiopia in various areas of interest to the Ministry of Justice, including crime prevention, free legal aid services, asset recovery, and international cooperation.
HE Alemante Agidew emphasized the importance of strengthening the justice sector to promote peace, reduce poverty, and achieve Ethiopia’s prosperity. He highlighted the significance of upholding human rights as an integral part of this transformation.
HE Alemante Agidew also highlighted the key areas where Ethiopia seeks continued support from UNODC, including international cooperation in criminal matters, crime prevention, free legal aid, and asset recovery, as well as the protection of witnesses and whistleblowers.
Mr. Neil J. Walsh, UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, on the other hand, lauded the leadership of the Ministry of Justice for the opportunity to partner and work collaboratively. Mr. Neil J. Walsh expressed his delight with what he called “a world class partnership” afforded by the Ministry and allowing UNODC to thrive and engage in Ethiopia productively. Mr. Neil J. Walsh and his team has expressed their sincere interest to continue to work with the Ministry and vowed to assist with the key areas noted above such as in including international cooperation in criminal matters, crime prevention, anti-corruption, free legal aid, and asset recovery, as well as the protection of witnesses and whistleblowers.
Both parties expressed their commitment to working collaboratively to achieve the goals outlined during the meeting, emphasizing the importance of partnership and cooperation to bring about positive change in Ethiopia’s justice sector.
