Addis Ababa: A two-day conference that critically discusses the strategic, policy, structural and implementation limitations and possible innovative concepts and best practices that contribute to Ethiopia's sustainable infrastructure development has been underway in Addis Ababa. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the National Conference on Climate Resilient Sustainable Infrastructure today, State Minister of Urban and Infrastructure, Wondimu Seta said Ethiopia has been working to ensure building more resilient and sustainable future. According to him, a legal framework that makes infrastructure in the country sustainable and consider the impact of climate change is being formulated. The state minster pointed out that many infrastructures are underway and these lay the foundation for tomorrow's social and economic change. The mega projects being built since the reform should answer today's development needs and ensure sustainability, he stressed. Wondimu, who noted that infrastructures have direct or indirect impact on the environment, stated that development works should therefore be explored from the perspective of future generations. In this regard, billions of tree seedlings have been planted in Ethiopia under the Green Legacy Initiative. Yet, the state minster underscored that it is necessary to formulate a policy which protects the atmosphere and ensures sustainability in terms of infrastructures. He said the previous construction policy of the country is being revised since it does not include sustainability and to ensure the sustainability of infrastructures by adapting it to climate. Therefore, the decisions we make here at the conference will have far-reaching implications for generations to come, shaping the future landscape of our nation and our planet, Wondimu remarked. United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Multi-Country Office Director, Worknesh Mekonnen said on her part that the initiative for the conference is timely for Ethiopia as a country that is on an ambitious jo urney of achieving middle income status by 2030. "Ethiopia has been undertaking infrastructure projects ranging from mega projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam to improving access to basic social infrastructure. I strongly believe the experience in the country so far has given us ample opportunities to reflect and take stock of achievements and challenges to contribute towards policy and implementation improvement areas." Over the last several months, UNOPS has worked diligently to gather the key stakeholders and expertise in Ethiopia and the diaspora in the diverse areas of infrastructure development, she said. The infrastructure efforts in the middle-income countries are focused both on the project management support in construction of climate resilient and sustainable structures and on the provision of technical assistance to the governments implementing large-scale projects themselves. Worknesh finally expressed her hope that the conference will allow the space to critically discuss the strategic, policy, structural and implementation limitations and possible innovative concepts and best practices that contribute to the country's sustainable infrastructure development and achievement of the key national strategies and SDGs targets. Source: Ethiopian News Agency