Unicef chief to visit Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): The president of the executive board of the United Nations Children Fund (Unicef), Anna Semamba Makinda, will visit Indonesia next week as the UN agency is preparing to renew its cooperation program in the country.

The Unicef office in Jakarta said in a statement yesterday that Makinda, who is also Tanzania's Minister of Community Development, Women's Affairs and Children, will meet with a number of top Indonesian officials and visit the East Nusa Tenggara province during her Sept. 11-17 stay in Indonesia.

Among the officials she has been scheduled to meet include Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Health Sujudi and State Minister of Women's Affairs Mien Sugandhi.

In East Nusa Tenggara, she will observe activities and programs sponsored by the UN agency and have talks with local officials there.

Unicef and the Indonesian government will renew their cooperation program for the 1995-2000 period. The Country Program of cooperation will be submitted for approval to the Unicef's executive board next April.

Makinda, according to the Unicef office, has a wealth of experience in development management both at national and international levels. She has held very senior positions in the Tanzanian cabinet and has headed her country's delegation to many international forums. (emb)