PM Abiy advocates for savvy vision to achieve zero hunger worldwide
The three-day ‘World Without Hunger’ Conference is being held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa in the presence of over 1,500 high-level stakeholders, including Heads of State/Government, Ministers, UN agencies, the private sector, financial institutions, donor community, DFI/IFI, civil society, non-governmental organizations, academia, and media.
In the Conference, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that hunger is not an isolated issue but it requires unified and relentless global response.
In his statement, PM Abiy Ahmed stated that the vision for zero hunger extends beyond merely addressing hunger and malnutrition. It calls for the creation of sustainable and equitable food systems where everyone has access to sufficient food. It is about enabling our population’s dignified lives’, free from basic ones.
Achieving this is just more than a goal. It is a moral imperative and our collective responsibility to build resilient and sustainable agricultural systems that uplift all our communities.
PM Abiy said Ethiopia has embraced these principles through its national economic reforms by increasing farmland productivity, advancing drought-resilient crops, launching the Ethiopian Green Legacy initiative through which the nation planted over 40 billion tree seedlings.
“During the session on mobilizing investment for sustainable food security initiatives, the necessity of substantial investments and strategic partnerships to drive lasting change has been acknowledged,” he indicated.
PM Abiy said “Made in Ethiopia” initiative exemplifies the power of such investments. Ethiopia’s integrated agro-industrial parks serve as hubs for job creation, income generation for farmers, and economic resilience in enhancing the country’s role in the global agricultural market.
Guinea PM expresses his country’s desire to implement Green Legacy initiative
Guinea’s interest in adopting the Green Legacy initiative, which was introduced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, during a meeting between Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah of the Republic of Guinea and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Gedion Timothewos.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Bah emphasized the effectiveness of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative and expressed interest in applying this successful model in Guinea.
Prime Minister Bah also indicated that Guinea wishes to learn from Ethiopia’s experience and expertise in various economic development sectors and requested necessary technical support to implement these strategies in Guinea.
The Prime Minister noted the need to work jointly toward implementing previously signed bilateral cooperation agreements.
On the occasion, Gedion affirmed Ethiopia’s readiness to share its experience in various fields with Guinea.
Gedion also highlighted the significant role of the Green Legacy initiative in helping Ethiopia manage its water resources more sustainably.
The Minister further noted that the visit of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Guinea in 2020 was a landmark that strengthened the historical relationship between the two nations.
Guinea’s Prime Minister also recalled the vital role that former OAU Secretary-General Diallo Telli played in fostering Ethiopia-Guinea relations, as per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
FM Gedion Timothewos holds talks with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov
Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia held discussions with Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on 08 November 2024.
The two exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and utilize the untapped potential of their economic relations.
The meeting took place ahead of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum scheduled to be held from 09-10 November 2024 in Sochi, Russia.
28th Ethio-Djibouti Joint Border Administrators & Commissioners meeting underway in Bishoftu
The 28th Ethio-Djibouti Joint Border Administrators and Commissioners (JBAC) two-days meeting held in Bishoftu. The meeting was co-chaired Director General of FDRE Immigration and Citizenship Service, Selamawit Dawit and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior of Djibouti, Souleiman Moumin.
The deliberations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, mainly focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in border management, security, and economic development.
Ms. Selamawit Dawit, Head of the Ethiopian Delegation and Director General of Immigration and Citizenship Services, highlighted the historic and enduring relationship between the two countries, describing it as “a bond bound by blood beyond common border management.”
Selamawit further stressed the need for coordinated efforts to combat transnational organized crimes including human trafficking, terrorism, and illicit trade along the border, ensuring the protection and welfare of citizens from both nations.
She also emphasized the importance of continuing to reinforce collaboration in the economic, social, and security sectors.
Head of the Djiboutian Delegation and Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, Souleiman Moumin, on his part, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to maintaining the strong ties between Djibouti and Ethiopia.
He expressed his confidence in their shared vision of enhancing cross-border cooperation, particularly in infrastructure, peace, and security, to ensure mutual benefits.
15th AfCFTA Council of Ministers Meeting underway in Addis Ababa
The 15th meeting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers is taking place at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The opening ceremony was attended by President Taye Atske-Selassie and various ministers from member states.
This two-day meeting will feature a performance report regarding the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between Wamkele Mene, the Secretary General of AfCFTA, and Henry Rotich, the Chairman of the Pan African Infrastructure Development Institute.
AfCFTA, which brings together 54 African nations, including Ethiopia, aims to foster trade among the continent’s 1.3 billion population, with the potential to generate intra-continental trade valued at $3.4 trillion.
Ethiopia set to host 51st AIO Conference and General Assembly
Governor Mamo Mihretu received the Chairwoman and Secretary General of the African Insurance Organization (AIO) at his office, expressing the National Bank of Ethiopia’s eagerness and preparedness to host the upcoming 51st AIO Conference and General Assembly.
The event is scheduled to take place from May 24 to 28, 2025. Ethiopia looks forward to welcoming Africa’s insurance leaders and fostering valuable discussions aimed at advancing the insurance sector across the continent, the Governor said.
Diplomats of various countries impressed by the progress and level GERD
The Ambassadors of various countries based in Addis Ababa have expressed their astonishment at the progress made by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the level it has reached.
During their tour, the ambassadors were accompanied by Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Engineer Habtamu Itefa, where they witnessed firsthand Ethiopia’s success in the Green Legacy Program, which was scientifically elaborated during the inaugural International Hydromet Conference in Addis Ababa on Monday, which was held in the presence of the ambassadors. The minister stated this while sharing his thoughts on the diplomatic community’s visit to GERD.
They also observed that the dam is releasing an adequate amount of water for the downstream countries, according to Habtamu.
The U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin J. Massinga, who was part of the visiting delegation, expressed his surprise at the construction process and the level of the dam.
Massinga congratulated the people and government of Ethiopia for their unwavering efforts to make the dam a success.
For his part, the Ambassador of India to Ethiopia, Anil Kumar Rai, stated that Ethiopians should be proud of the great legacy they are leaving for future generations by building the dam with their own capabilities. The ambassador mentioned that he was informed about the dam and learned that the GERD will strengthen regional cooperation. According to him, this project is important not only for Ethiopia but also for the neighboring countries
Acquisition of A350-1000 aircraft by Ethiopian sets new standards for Africa’s aviation
The addition of A350-1000 passenger plane to the Ethiopian Airlines represents a significant leap forward in Ethiopian journey to set new standards in Africa’s aviation industry, Ethiopian Air Force Commander and Chairperson of the Ethiopian Airlines Group Management Board, Lieutenant General Yilma Merdasa, underscored.
Ethiopian Airlines, the biggest carrier in Africa, received the first A350-1000 passenger plane in Africa named: “Ethiopia: Land of Origins” from Airbus company in a ceremony held in Toulouse, France.
On the occasion, Chairperson of the Airlines, Lieutenant General Yilma said that Ethiopia is now undergoing a comprehensive reform and transformation guided by a socioeconomic growth strategy.
“With our mission at the Ethiopian Airlines, we aim to connect Africa to the rest of the world and support the continent’s economic growth,” he stated.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his address to the parliament last week, disclosed that Ethiopia has already embarked on building a mega airport.
This new airport is projected to have the capacity to serve 130 million passengers each year, which is more than four times the current capacity of the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
The Premier also pointed out that Ethiopian Airlines has ordered 124 new modern planes, its growth that will continue to be universal.
To this effect, the delivery of Africa’s first Airbus A350-1000 is now considered a historical move to Ethiopian Airlines.
During the handover ceremony, Lieutenant General Yilma said that the addition of A350-1000 passenger plane to the Ethiopian Airlines represents a significant leap forward in Ethiopian journey to set new standards in Africa’s aviation industry.
