A two-day high-level national social protection conference underway under the theme “Social Protection for Nation Building in Ethiopia" with the objective to expand and improve social protection programs in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, AU Deputy Commissioner, Monique Nsanzabaganwa and other high government officials, representatives of various partners and other pertinent stakeholders are attending the conference.

The conference aimed at enhancing awareness about the role of social protection in contributing to sustainable development, social cohesion and nation building.

It also aimed to generate ideas and have a common understanding among stakeholders about the expansion and improvement of social protection programs and systems though collaboration between the government, non-governmental actors, private sectors and development partners.

The conference will also help to cultivate and enhance stakeholders' understanding and support towards the social protection agenda for better positioning amongst national development priorities.

Moreover, it will contribute to learn lessons from other countries, review status of the key social protection pillars in the Ethiopia context and devise a way forward for further improvements for better impact.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency