Policy and Legislative Measures The Democratic System Building Policy provides the policy basis and underlines the importance of peoples‟ rights. The Ministry of Federal Affairs is established under the Proclamation No. 256/2001 that defined the powers and duties of the reorganized executive organs of the FDRE. It was first organized into two main sectors, regional affairs and urban development sectors. It was again reorganized in 2005 under proclamation No. 471/2005 whereby urban development was excluded and other powers and duties assigned instead. The Ministry is responsible for resolution of disputes arising between regional states. Without prejudice to the provision of relevant laws, and upon the request of regional states, it devises and implements sustainable political solutions for disputes and conflicts that may arise within or between regional states. In order to provide assistance and support deserving regions, the Federal Board has been established through which various ministries and other bodies deliver overall support to the regions. The Ministry also coordinates the efforts of neighboring regions for support where relevant. The Ministry was later entrusted with further powers under proclamation No. 691/ 2010, working through the Growth and Transformation Plan to achieve equitable development in support of deserving regions, resolving conflicts, strengthening the federal system, and upholding healthy regional relations throughout the country. The Federal Special Support Board has been established to ensure the effectiveness of affirmative support provided by organs of the Federal Government, to provide the necessary assistance for regions in their implementation of sustainable development, in promoting good governance and democratization and to encourage close cooperation between the regions eligible for affirmative support and their neighbors regions. The Regional Equitable Development Office was established under the Ministry to bring about equitable development with four development directorates covering the Afar, Somali, Benishagul Gumuz and Gambela Regions. The Federal Affairs Ministry, the main body entrusted with bringing constitutional objectives down to the practical level, also established an Office of Intergovernmental Relations at the level of a directorate general. This, among other matters, has the responsibilities of providing assistance and advice to encourage regional states to establish good relations with each other on the basis of 111