Addis Ababa, April 19/2024(ENA)- As Ethiopia assumed its membership in the esteemed BRICS alliance in January 2024, the country's active involvement in various BRICS meetings has begun to yield a multitude of benefits. From economic opportunities to technological advancement and global collaboration, Ethiopia's BRICS membership is proving to be a catalyst for growth and development. Ethiopia wasted no time in making its mark within the BRICS community, with its first-ever participation in a major BRICS meeting held in January 2024. This initial engagement focused on issues of common concern, allowing Ethiopia to contribute to the group's agenda and forge meaningful connections with fellow member nations. One of the key advantages of Ethiopia's BRICS membership lies in the technological sphere. BRICS nations are renowned for their advancements in technology and innovation. By joining BRICS, Ethiopia gains access to a vast pool of technological expertise, best practices, and collaborative opportunities. This strategic positioning empowers Ethiopia to strengthen its own technological capabilities and advance its digital transformation agenda. Ethiopia's commitment to information security has also been showcased through its active participation in the BRICS Working Group on Security in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). During the 10th meeting held in Moscow, Ethiopia emphasized the significance of international information security and the peaceful utilization of ICTs. The country stressed the need for close cooperation and coordination among BRICS member nations to proactively prevent cyber attacks, fostering a secure digital landscape. The recent meeting focused on 'Security in the use of Information and Communications Technologies' saw Ethiopia's enthusiastic engagement alongside all member countries. The Information Network Security Administration (INSA), Director General , Tigist Hamid who represented who represented Ethiopia at the forum, highlighted the nation's commitment to leveraging its abundant young talent for Ethiopia's journey to prosperity. Recognizing the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing information and technology ecosystem, she emphasized the need for swift adjustments to mitigate the growing global threat of cyber attacks. The issue of information security resonated strongly among BRICS member countries, who collectively recognized its significance. Tigist also called for continued emphasis on the topic, stressing the importance of cooperation and coordination among member nations. Strengthening resilience to cyber threats and fostering a secure global digital environment emerged as shared priorities within the BRICS community. The 10th BRICS Working Group Summit concluded on a high note, with member countries reaching a comprehensive agreement. This agreement encompassed various aspects of information communication security, including information exchange, joint prevention of cyber threats, capacity building programs, increased resilience to cyber attacks, and the sharing of best practices. The 10th BRICS Working Group meeting confirmed the mutual interest of all the participants of the group in strengthening cooperation among members. An important practical result of the work was the decision to establish a register of BRICS contact points for the exchange of information on computer attacks/incidents in the expanded membership. The partners received a positive response to the Russian proposals on strengthening the regulatory and legal framework for cooperation, as well as on launching a dialog through the scientific and academic community. During the event, the delegations agreed to continue close cooperation in all aspects at multilateral platforms. They reaffirmed their commitment to the exclusively peaceful use of ICTs, to prevent militarization of information space, to prevent conflicts in it, and to overcome the digital divide. They agreed to jointly promote these principles in the UN.

Ethiopia is recognized by UNESCO as one of the leading African countries by registering different tangible and intangible heritages. In addition to the more than dozens of tangible heritages, the country occupies the most conspicuous place for registering various intangible world heritages at UNESCO including Meskel, Finding of the true Cross, Fichee Chambalala, the New Year celebration of the Sidama people, the Gada System, Oromo indigenous democratic socio-political system, Timket or Ethiopian Epiphany, and the Shuwal Eid Festival. These world intangible cultural heritages represent the rich diversity and cultural identity of Ethiopia and its various ethnic groups. They play a significant role in preserving traditional knowledge, promoting social cohesion, and fostering intergenerational transmission of cultural practices and values besides their economic benefits as tourist attractions. Shuwal Eid is one of these precious gifts that Ethiopia contributed the world. Shuwal Eid Shuwal is the tenth month in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. It comes after the holy month of Ramadan, which Muslims worldwide are required to observe by fasting and other religious activities. The faithful will continue their six-day fast in the month of Shuwal following the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The voluntary fasting of Shuwal provides the faithful to have a chance to reap significant rewards to compensate the wrongdoings they might have committed during the holy month of Ramadan. Though Muslims across Ethiopia also fasts during Shuwal, the people of Harari, one of the regional States in Ethiopia, celebrate the end of the six day fasting on the 8th day of Shuwal with unique cultural festivities in a mammoth cultural and religious extravaganza. The celebration is observed in Harar for three days. Shewal Zikr, or the recollection and glorification of GOD (Allah), is held for three nights in different locations to start the celebrations. On the last day, there is a 24-hour ongoing celebrity event that draws large crowds of individuals dressed in vibrant costumes. Hararis congregate in the city from all directions and neighborhoods, usually taking part as spectators. Shuwal Eid, which has been inscribed by UNESCO in 2023, brings together people from all age groups and genders in the society. The streets of Harar will be crowded with people celebrating Shuwal Eid, including girls and boys who are exquisitely dressed in vibrant traditional clothing that captivates onlookers. The festival includes prayers and spiritual music, as well as scripture readings, dancing, music, and blessings of the almighty Allah. More than any other holiday, Shuwal Eid is adored by the teenagers of Harari as the platform is assumed conducive venue where youngsters throw eyes to each other, for marriage. The event also provides an opportunity for elders to bless the future generation and share their wisdom, while also teaching young people about cultural values, norms, customs and traditions. Shuwal Eid is transmitted within families and by participating in the celebration, as well as through formal educational and safeguarding measures in the sites where the festival takes place. It is a platform for the transmission of performing arts, oral traditions, traditional dress and other cultural elements. Shuwal Eid promotes social cohesion and a sense of identity. It also contributes to cultural exchange and supports the local community and artisans. Shuwal Eid was inscribed at UNESCO in November 2023 as a world intangible world heritage. This year, the Festival is being colorfully celebrated with multiple shows at Harar City this year for the first time after being inscribed at UNESCO last year. In addition to being a unique platform for marketing Ethiopia's tourism sector, the festival provides global sociologists and anthropologists with a study subject. The Ministry of Tourism could exploit this excellent opportunity for tourism development and image building for the country while media outlets are expected to document the entire process of the festival and prepare it to be used for tourist consumption. Harar is one of Ethiopia’s attractions as it is a museum of world heritages. The old city of Harar is a custodian of various cultural heritages which are being visited by tourists here and across the world. Squeezed into a mere 1 square kilometer, Harar boasts 368 passageways, making it the fourth holiest city in the world after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. The fortified city contained 102 shrines and 82 mosques, making it the biggest concentration of mosques in the world. It was renowned for being a hub for Muslim learning and trade, and it had its own currency at one point. Harar was the most significant commercial hub in the Horn of Africa for many centuries, connecting the ports of the Somali coast to the lush interior of Ethiopia, as evidenced by the vibrant markets and distinctive gey gar (city houses) of the city. In 2006, UNESCO designated Harar Jugol as a World Heritage Site. Shuwal Eid and other tangible and intangible cultural heritages found in the city need to be preserved and developed to enhance their contribution to the tourism sector. In this regard, four museums in Harar City have already been selected to introduce Shuwal Eid to local visitors and tourists with various cultural shows. The Ethiopian Heritage Authority is working with pertinent players to exploit the tourism potential of Shuwal. Deputy Director of Ethiopian Heritage Authority, Elias Shukur told ENA that various activities are being conducted to introduce the festival both at the national and international level. He added that efforts are being made to further develop the festival with its original cultural assets and values. The old city of Harar is a custodian of various cultural heritages including Shuwal Eid which are being visited by tourists here and across the world. Elias stressed that Shuwal Eid and other intangible and tangible cultural heritages found in the city need to be preserved and developed to enhance their contribution to the tourism sector mentioning that four museums in Harar City have already been selected to introduce Shuwal Eid to local visitors and tourists with various cultural shows. Harar is indeed a living museum that should be preserved to generation as it depicts ancient wisdom vital to our future. (By Solomon Dibaba )