Clermont-Ferrand, le 16 octobre 2008

Clermont-Ferrand, le 16 octobre 2008


Clermont-Ferrand, 16 October 2008

The Auvergne Region and AFD enter into partnership for development

Signing of the framework agreement on Thursday 16 October at 11 a.m. at the Hôtel de Région – Clermont-Ferrand

René Souchon, President of the Regional Council, and Jean-Michel Severino, Chief Executive Officer of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), will be signing a framework agreement on 16 October by which the two parties will pledge to implement actions of mutual interest in common cooperation countries and areas in Africa (Mali and Madagascar) and Asia (Liaoning Province in China).

This framework agreement will mean that recipient country needs will be met more effectively thanks to the integration of both parties’ individual specificities, respective thematic priorities and geographical intervention areas. Support for sustainable inclusive tourism should be a core element of the agreement.

This agreement is also in line with a process for more effective coordination and consistency in terms of commitments and resources to help populations that have the greatest development needs.

By signing this agreement AFD and the Auvergne Region wish to develop an exchange of information, reflection and consultation for decentralized cooperation programs. It will also make it possible to define the way operations decided and implemented within this framework are conducted and evaluated.

A permanent cooperation working group for heritage, sustainable development, culture and tourism was set up for this mission in 2008, within the framework of the National Commission for Decentralized Cooperation, and will be chaired by Mr. Jean-Claude Mairal, Vice President of the Auvergne Region.

The Auvergne Region goes to great lengths to welcome new inhabitants, is consequently naturally outward-looking, and increasingly exports its know-how. These constant exchanges mean it can build up new economic, cultural and scientific relations. Three topics have been selected in order to ensure the relevance of this international cooperation: water, tourism and volcanoes. Auvergne has underscored its vocation to be a “water tower” by creating the “SoleAuvergne” platform to promote inclusive international cooperation with emerging countries in the water sector. Moreover, the Region has confirmed its commitment to tourism in Africa (Mali and Madagascar) and its special relations with Liaoning Province in China for the economic and cultural components.

Agence Française de Développement (AFD), a public institution, has been working to combat poverty and promote the development of South countries within the framework of France’s official development assistance for over 60 years.  AFD is active in the field in over 70 countries and Overseas France and finances and supports projects to improve living conditions for populations, boost economic growth and protect the planet: education for children, support for farmers, support for small businesses, water supply, tropical forest preservation, fight against climate change… In 2007 AFD pledged 3.5 billion euros to finance operations in South countries and Overseas France. Thanks to this financing 5.8 million children received schooling and 4 million people gained access to drinking water. Energy efficiency projects for the same year saved 2.7 million tons of CO2 annually.

 

Press contacts


AFD
Laure Weisgerber, weisgerberl@afd.fr - Tel.: 33 (0)1.53.44.30.57
Anne-Sophie Morizot (Hopscotch), asmorizot@hopscotch.fr – Tel.: 33 (0)1.58.65.00.88
Auvergne Region
Zakia DOUAKHA, z.douakha@cr-auvergne.fr – Tel.: 33 (0)4.73.31.93.58