Day: June 17, 2023

The Government of Ethiopia has been taking bold steps to mitigate climate change and its impacts by incorporating the issue as an integral part of the 10-year perspective development plan, Global Green Growth Institute Country Representative Okechukwu Ogbonnaya said.

The country representative told ENA that when Ethiopia is implementing its Green Legacy Initiative, the ten-year development plan, the Nationally Determined Contribution, it is all doing it as an integral part of fulfilling its commitment, whether at national and regional levels or at the global level.

According to Ogbonnaya, Ethiopia has done fairly well withstanding the challenges of climate change in comparison to may be other countries at the same level as the country.

Most of our projects are aligned with the Green Legacy Initiative, he said, adding that the reason why it is important to align is for the country to transition to a green growth pathway which it needs to not only mainstream green growth and climate actions into its policies and actions, but also to do this holistically in an integrated manner so as to get the results.

The Global Green Growth Institute provides technical advisory for the Ministry of Planning and Development to coordinate the development of Long Term-Low Emission Development Strategy ( LT-LEDS), it was learned.

“Our role is not only to provide technical advisory but also to bring our lessons or the networks we have because we have also supported other member states to develop LT-LEDS," the country representative stated.

Ogbonnaya further said that “it is our belief that the lessons we have learned from a country like Ethiopia as vast as it is would be utilized to support other members in the similar situation, but also globally so that the aim and vision of government to transition from a business as usual approach to a green growth pathway would be achieved.”

Recall that Ethiopia embarked on its Green Legacy Initiative to plant some 25 billion seedlings, including trees, fruits, and cattle feeds by mobilizing over 20 million people during the span of four years.

Following a successful first phase of the planting, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the second phase to of planting another 25 billion seedlings early this month.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ambassadors of MIKTA countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkiye and Australia) stressed the need to use technology for peace and the resolution of conflicts.

Embassy of Indonesia in Addis Ababa in collaboration with embassies of MIKTA countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkiye and Australia) organized seminar yesterday under the theme “Digital Transformation: Towards Collective Response to the Global Challenges.”

The seminar was attended by participants from Ethiopian government officials, ambassadors, international organizations, academicians, among others, it was indicated.

Indonesia's ambassador to Ethiopia, Al Busyra Bansur said digitalization creates great opportunities but at the same time also comes with challenges such as digital skill gap, misinformation and disinformation.

He appreciated the Ethiopian government for the attention it has given to digital transformation and stated that is why this seminar was held on digital transformation.

Mexico’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Victor Trevino said the world faces the development of tools such as artificial intelligence even though it has potential to improve our everyday lives.

The international community faces the challenges of policy making to ensure that digital transformation contributes to peace and development, he added.

“In the sense MIKTA must continue restoring that diplomacy and supporting the engagement into the use of technology for peace and the resolution of conflicts. Our actions should keep contributing to strengthen our rule-based international system,” the ambassador elaborated.

Ambassador of Australia to Ethiopia Julia Niblett said promoting digital inclusive society is a priority for Australia.

The Australian government is currently developing its final data and digital strategy, and this is expected to be released by the end of 2023.

Through this data and digital strategy, the Australian government seeks to deliver simple, secure and connected public services for people and for businesses through world class data and digital capabilities, she said.

To this, she stressed it is important to use technology for the benefit of the international community and development.

Ambassador of Turkiye to Ethiopia, Berk Baran said on his part that digital transformation has been crucial for the economy and development.

“We as MIKTA are making an effort to promote peace and prosperity,” he stated.

Noting all MIKTA ambassadors are residing in Addis Ababa, the political center of Africa, he said that Ethiopia is the best fit place to promote the MITKA principles.

Ambassador of South Korea to Ethiopia, Kang Seokhee said digital transformation is vital for the globe.

Digital transformation may be an opportunity as well as challenges for the international community today, he said, adding it is important to use technology for finding solutions for the current social and economic problem.

MIKTA was formed under Korean leadership in 2013 and is an acronym for the names of five member countries-Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency