UNDP restates support for NEPAD   Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - The UN Development Programme (UNDP) Monday restated its support for and technical assistance to the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiatives. Speaking at the opening of the conference on the private sector's role in NEPAD's financing, at the Senegalese capital, UNDP Deputy Director Zepherin Diabre hailed "NEPAD's highly innovative character," adding that his agency would help the private sector to play a key role for the project to benefit the African populations. Diabre, who revealed that the private sector provides 86 percent of development financing in the industrialised countries, said UNDP would assist NEPAD to secure adequate investments. To this end, he said three key programmes would be launched, explaining that financial allocation is planned in addition to the creation of specialised agencies. Diabre, however, called for the creation of a "favourable" climate for NEPAD's implementation, including good governance and guarantees for stability, noting that Africa's development, is contingent on the restoration of peace. The UNDP official said his agency would also promote Stock Exchanges as key instruments for NEPAD's success, and also host a conference and investment forums involving private sector actors for the mobilisation of funds. Diabre said the HIV/AIDS issue should also draw as much attention as the search for peace, and called for greater partnership in tackling the pandemic.   Dakar - 15/04/2002