Addis Ababa, July 16(ENA)--The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has allocated 50 Million US Dollar for various development projects to be carried out in Ethiopia during the next five years, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said.

An expert with the ministry, Tesfaye Berhanu said the stated sum was allotted to implement, among others, food security, agricultural development, facilitate the provision of potable water and environmental protection programs.

Speaking on Monday at a five-day workshop organized by the ministry in cooperation with the UNDP, he said 80 percent of the fund would be apportioned among the regional states.

Tesfaye said the fund would also be used to give impetus to the key activities geared to build a democratic culture in the country.

Food security and agricultural development activities have been launched in the Tigray, South Ethiopia Peoples', Amhara and Oromia states while a pilot program was being carried out in Afar State.

The provision of potable water and environmental protection programs would be executed in all the states over the next five years, he said.

Currently, UNDP has been carrying out various activities aimed at containing the spread of HIV/AIDS in various parts of the country.

Some 120 participants of the workshop drawn from pertinent governmental organizations are in attendance at the workshop.

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