VIENNA, 29 May 2013 - At the margins of the Vienna Energy Forum the Managing Director of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Brigitte Öppinger-Walchshofer, and Mr. Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE signed a funding agreement marking the next operational phase of the Centre in line e with its business plan. "By signing the contract today, Austria grants an additional two million Euros for the next phase which ends in 2016", Ms. Öppinger-Walchshofer noted. While congratulating Mr. Kappiah and his team she observed the major achievements within a relatively short space of time .

She highlighted in particular the adopted ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policies, the ECOWAS Small Hydro Power Program, the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facility, the RETScreen train the trainers network and several launched energy efficiency initiatives and programs.

Mr. Kappiah expressed his appreciation to ADA for its continued trust and support to the centre and also thanked the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for its technical support throughout the first first operational phase.

Also present at the ceremoney were the ADA Managing Director, Mr. Robert Zeiner, Head of International Programs and Projects, Ms. Ursula Steller, Deputy Head of International Programs and Projects and Mr. Hannes Bauer, Sustainable Energy Expert of ADA. Also in attendance was  Mr. Martin Lugmayr, renewable energy expert and former seconded UNIDO chief technical advisor at the Centre, who represented UNIDO at he ceremony.