London, June 4, 2019 (AltAfrica)– The Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), LI Yong, has signed a Relationship Agreement with the Director General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO), Professor Stanley Okolo, to support the development of the pharmaceutical industry in the ECOWAS region and to implement the regional pharmaceutical upgrading framework that has been developed.

“The Agreement is a new milestone in the cooperation between UNIDO and WAHO, establishing a long-term partnership between our two organizations to support the development of the pharmaceutical industry in West Africa,” said Li.

READ ALSO: AFDB SUSPENDS NIGERIAN FIRM FOR 3 YEARS OVER ALLEGED FRAUD

“In accordance with last year’s Joint Declaration, WAHO looks forward to building on the existing collaboration and for UNIDO to be our partner in developing and coordinating a comprehensive programme for the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in West Africa,” said Okolo.

Following the signing of the Agreement, an initial inception phase will commence to develop the comprehensive programme, engage with Member States and partners, and mobilize the requisite resources. The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is a priority for the ECOWAS Commission and the partnership with WAHO will be implemented in close collaboration with the ECOWAS Department for Industry and Private Sector Promotion.

UNIDO’s pharmaceutical initiative is in line with the inclusive and sustainable industrial development or ISID model championed by the Organization, with local ownership, critical involvement of partners and the use of UNIDO’s convening power.

The pharmaceutical industry in Africa is a priority sector for the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III), which is operationalized by UNIDO as per the resolution of the UN General Assembly.