Month: May 2023

Synergy among stakeholders is significantly fundamental in order to help expedite the implementation and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ethiopia, researchers underscored.

The 3-day national conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was held under the theme "The Road to Sustainable Development Goals in Ethiopia: Drivers, Challenges, and Prospects."

Researchers and ministries of various sectors and development partners have participated in the national conference organized by the Addis Ababa University, College of Development Studies.

Speaking to ENA, Addis Ababa University, College of Development Studies Dean, Tesfaye Zeleke said the overarching aim of the Conference is to create an environment for academic community, policymakers and development practitioners to communicate existing research findings, share development practices, and foster debate on development issues to guide policies towards achieving SDGs.

The Conference focused on thematic areas including population and development, development governance, gender and inclusive development, energy transition and inclusive urban development.

Natural resources management and green development, food security and poverty, and infrastructure development were also among the thematic areas, he said.

According to him, regarding SDGs, several efforts are underway by the government, academia and different non governmental organization and civil society organizations.

However, a full scale implementation and achievement of goals requires even more collaboration among of stakeholders in order to help achieve the implementation of SDGs, he said.

The importance of drawing synergy between academia has also been indicated by the researchers, Tesfaye added.

Some of the major findings of several research papers presented over the last three days include the need for better resources mobilization for achieving the SDGs in addition to the strong collaboration among all stakeholders, he said.

Lack of coordination among different stakeholders involved in the implementation of SDGs and integrating various sectors is among the key findings of the papers presented during the conference.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia should focus on completing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and work on related developments, Addis Ababa University Environmental and Development Studies Professor Belay Simane said.

Recall that the Arab League issued a resolution regarding GERD, and Ethiopia criticized it saying that it's an affront to African Union member states efforts to amicably resolve the issue.

Professor Belay told ENA that Ethiopia should focus on completing the dam and work on related developments rather than reacting to the Egypt-led Arab League decisions because it will not affect GERD's success.

"I am sorry to react this way. But for me, whatever is decided or issued by the Arab League is irrelevant and we do not have to give emphasis to it."

Instead, the professor stressed that Ethiopia needs "to focus on how to successfully implement and enhance the success of GERD and other related development-oriented works."

According to him, the Egyptians are using the Arab League to calm down their internal problems and get support from the West as they are the center of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

Professor Belay suggested that Ethiopia focus on finishing GERD and work on related development works such as tourism, fishery, transport, and greening of the buffer zone, among others.

“What we need to focus on is to really work hard in order to finish it (the dam) as soon as possible, and also to work on other development-oriented works like the tourism sector, like the fishery, like the transport sector, and other related issues like the buffer zone, the greening of the buffer zone, and upstream greening in order to protect from siltation.”

The scholar elaborated that Ethiopia has made it clear from the beginning that the outcome of GERD should be used in a very joint and win-win situation for the three countries.

“We have also made very clear and transparent offer to work together. What is bad news from that end is the resistance from the Egyptian side. They do not want to lose the hegemony over the Nile River. On the other hand, they want to deny and maintain the colonial treaties, which we cannot really accept.”

Professor Belay said the downstream countries are aware of the long-term benefits of GERD, but the Egyptians, in particular, are ignoring that to continue the colonial time water hegemony.

“We've done the environmental and social impact assessment of the GERD, and to be honest, with the exception of short time decrease during the filling, they are not going to be impacted by the GERD. Rather, the Sudanese and next to Sudanese the Egyptians are going to benefit from the GERD in the long run. They know it, but what is the focus of their attention is different from the hydrology impact. It's a political game that they're playing,” he elaborated.

The scholar advised that the Egyptian side understand the hydrologic impact, the environmental impact as well as the social impact of the GERD and agree on equitable use of trans-boundary rivers and also admit that Ethiopia has the right to use its own resources and also contribute to the upstream development in order to maintain the life of the Blue Nile.

“We are protecting it (the river), and they are using it. This does not work forever. So if they're reasonable and they come with their conscience to negotiate, I think the Ethiopian government and even the panel of experts are open to work and to discuss with Egyptian scientists and politicians. So it's up to them. The ball is in their hands.”

According to Professor Belay, “many people are really blaming Egyptians. Egyptian scientists are misinforming the world, the region, and particularly the West because the GERD does not significantly impact the livelihood and water availability of downstream. (And), they know it!”

The scholar recommended that the three countries work together in a win-win situation to benefit from the river's water resources in a peaceful, environment friendly, and politically harmonious way.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Government of Japan has provided 3 million USD to support the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission.

Japan’s Ambassadors to Ethiopia Ito Takako and UNDP Resident Representative Tuhan Saleh inked the agreement.

The grant will be channeled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), it was learned.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the grant today, Japan’s Ambassador Ito Takako said the assistance will enable the commission to become more efficient, transparent and ultimately credible institution.

The finance will go toward enhancing the staffing and technical office capacity of the ENDC and strengthening public awareness of the national dialogue process.

According to a press release of the embassy, the project is expected to contribute to the participation of approximately 1.5 million people in the national dialogue across Ethiopia. Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission Chairperson, Professor Mesfin Araya extended gratitude to the people and Government of Japan for the financial support, and extended his optimistic view about the success of the dialogue in the country.

“While carrying out extraordinary task on the ground, we count on development partners, the Government of Ethiopia, and friends of Ethiopia to support us throughout the process where we value and acknowledge open heartedly the support and enthusiasm,” the chairperson said.

UNDP Resident Representative Tuhan Saleh said the assistance is a showcase of what Ethiopia’s partners and the international community around the world are doing to support the national dialogue.

“The Ethiopian national dialogue is a significant and unprecedented initiative with the potential to write a new social contract for Ethiopia through dialogue and debates around critical issues with direct relevance to democratization, lasting peace, and sustainable development of the country,” Saleh added.

The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission was established by the House of People’s Representatives in February 2022 with a three-year mandate to lead an independent, inclusive, and transparent national dialogue across the country.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The first round rehabilitation and restoration of former Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces was officially launched today.

The rehabilitation and restoration work started in Mekele City at a place called Quiha.

During the launching of the program, National Rehabilitation Deputy Commissioner Brigadier General Deribie Mekuria said that the rehabilitation and restoration will be undertaken in line with the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

Accordingly, psychological and technical training will be offered to the former TPLF forces, he added. Militants who return to normal life must not only change their lives, but also work to support the development of the region, the deputy commissioner noted.

He also called on them to play their part in making the peace lasting.

According to him, the government will help the militants who have entered the rehabilitation program to settle until their livelihood are restored in cooperation with development partners.

TPLF forces representative, Brigadier General Migbey Haile, said on his part that the ex-militants should be a force for development when they mingle with the society after completing the program. The former militants in the rehabilitation center stated that they are ready to return to a normal life with the support they receive.

Members of the African Union Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM) have attended the launching program.

Some 10 rehabilitation camps have been established in the region for this purpose.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency