Economic and Social Developments 13. The Commission welcomes the: i. progress made towards the economic growth and social development of the country, as illustrated in the information and data regarding macroeconomic performances provided in the Report; ii. adoption of the Growth and Transformation Plan, setting the path for the Ethiopian renaissance and creating opportunities for the promotion and protection of human rights. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 14. The Commission commends Ethiopia on the: i. improvement in income and living standards of citizens and measures taken to reduce unemployment through the expansion of micro and small enterprises, the increase in per capita income and the decline in the poverty level; ii. the launching of the Health Extension Program to provide basic health services to the rural communities; iii. establishment of Health Service Clinics in 76 detention centres for detainees to receive free medical services; iv. introduction of Alternative Basic Education, Early Childhood Care Education, Functional Adult Literacy and mobile schools to respond to the diversified educational needs of the people; v. the building of new schools both in urban and rural areas, the increase in the number of primary schools, the provision of primary education in 25 local languages; and the implementation of programs to improve the literacy rate for girls and women; vi. the establishment of Offices of Housing Development and Government Houses Agency to provide adequate housing needs; and the issuance of 5|Page