Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Hon. Bernard K. Membe meets the USAID Boss in New York

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Itnernatioanl Co-operation in a photo with Dr. Rajiv J. Shah (left), Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  Dr. Shah had paid a courtesy visit to see Hon. Membe today at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel situated in downtown New York, USA.  Hon. Membe is in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania in this year's 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA - 67). 

 Dr. Shah of the USAID in talks with Hon. Membe at the Double Tree of Hilton Hotel in New York, USA.

 Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in discussion with Dr. Rajiv J. Shah (left), Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel situated in downtown New York, USA.  Also in the photo is Ambassador Celestine Mushy (2nd right), Director of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Itnernatioanl Co-operation in discussion with Hon. Dr. Rajiv J. Shah (left), Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel situated in downtown New York, USA.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, yesterday met with the Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel situated in downtown New York, USA. 

During their meeting, the two discussed issues of mutual interests to both countries, in particular, the implementation of the G8 Summit Declaration of May 2012, along the lines of G8’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition Program.  Dr. Shah expressed satisfaction in President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete’s leadership in championing for this Program.

“The Government of the United States of America is ready to expand the beneficiary countries to this Program to include Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Mozambique,” pointed out Dr. Shah.  Tanzania and Ethiopia are already among the countries beneficiaries of the Program.

Dr. Shah also made a specific request to H.E. President Kikwete to highlight the importance of food security and nutrition in the forthcoming meeting of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) scheduled to be held in Arusha, Tanzania from 26 to 28 September, 2012.

For more African countries’ participation, Dr. Shah requested the Government of Tanzania to champion the Program during the AU meetings, especially through the newly elected Chairperson of the AU, Madam Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. The objective here is to make the Program an African initiative in the efforts to address food security and nutrition issues in the continent.

On his part, the Minister said that the Tanzania Government has prioritized agriculture agenda.  This will sustain agricultural productivity growth in line with the poverty alleviation with goal to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. 

On issue of AU’s support, Hon. Membe assured Dr. Shah that he will extend the same cause to Madame Zuma as agriculture growth, poverty alleviation; food security and nutrition have always been among the top agendas for African countries.

The Minister is in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania in this year’s 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA -67).

Meanwhile, the High Level Meeting convened yesterday in its one day meeting with the theme of the “Rule of Law at the National and International Levels”.  The General Debate of the UN General Assembly will convene on 25 to 28 September, 2012 and on 1 October, 2012 with the theme of “Bringing about Adjustment or Settlement of International Disputes or Situations by Peaceful Means”. 

By 

TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO, New York

25 September, 2012

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