Addis Ababa, August 16 (ENA)--Ethiopia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) was launched at a meeting held here at the Ghion Hotel on Thursday.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of Economic Development and Cooperation, Girma Birru, said the strategy paper would help direct the country’s resources to poverty reduction initiatives.

The minister, who is also chairman of the steering committee for the formulation of the PRSP, called upon all stakeholders to fully cooperate with the government in combating poverty in Ethiopia.

The formulation of PRSP was based on the principles governing a comprehensive development framework, Girma said.

He said the PRSP, which is participatory, result-oriented and country-driven, was comprehensive in scope and long-term in perspective.

Girma said the formulation of PRSP for Ethiopia was a continuation of the nation's existing development agenda.

While the PRSP was essentially a government document, the poor and vulnerable groups were the primary stakeholders, Girma said.

He said addressing poverty required the sharing of a common vision with all stakeholders and their active participation in the consultation process.

Government officials, civil society representatives and other PRSP stakeholders attended the launching ceremony.

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