United Nations Development Programme

Xafiiska Horumarinta ee Qaramada Midoobay

Ref: UNDP/SO/CD/2018/031 9 November 2018

Subject: Implementation of Letter of Agreement dated 19 August 2018

Honorable Speaker,

UNDP Somalia has been working to provide technical assistance and capacity development support to the House of
Representatives of Puntland over recent years, and we remain very committed to supporting the important legislative
and representative work that the House is doing for the people of Puntland State of Somalia.

With reference to the Letter of Agreement (LoA) signed between UNDP and the Puntland House of Representatives
dated 19 August 2018, I note that the LOA entailed support to construction of a Parliament Constituency Office, but
with the location not specified in the LoA itself.

It has been recently brought to my personal attention for the first time that the Puntland House of Representatives
decided to undertake this construction for a Constituency Office in Badhan district, and that the Government of
Puntland has proceeded with commencing the construction works.

Please be advised that, as notified by our UNDP team members on the phone earlier this week, and as per long-
standing UN Somalia Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 125 covering Operations in the Sool and Sanaag Regions,
the UN inclusive of UNDP are not able to support activities in these Regions in the following areas: “State building
activities; support to government apparatus; Capacity development support; Long-term development support.”

For this reason, and in line with SOP 125, I regret that I am obliged to inform that UNDP will not be able to provide
financial or other support for this construction project in Badhan District. I apologize for any prior mis-
communications on this issue from UNDP team members.

Please be assured of our continued commitment to support the Puntland State House of Representatives, and the
funds as per the LoA remain committed for activities in Puntland. Our Head of Office of the UNDP Garowe Area
Office, Mr. Sayed Sahibzada, will be in contact with your office to discuss alternate use of the funds available under
the LoA.

We remain at your disposal to provide any additional support or clarification required.

Please accept, Honorable Speaker, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Digitally signed by George Conway
DN: cn=George Conway, o=UNDP,
ou=UNDP Somalia,
email=george.conway@undp.org,
c=SO
Date: 2018.11.09 18:28:09 +03'00'

George Conway
Country Director
UNDP Somalia
Hon. Ahmed Ali Hashi
Speaker of the Puntland House of Representatives

Cc. H.E. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, President, Puntland State

Cc. Ali Ahmed Salah, Secretary General, House of Representative, Puntland State

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