Headlines
Chinese Supported Ethio-Djibouti Railway Providing Crucial Economic, Social Benefits 
Sep 24, 2023 124
Addis Ababa, September 24/2023 (ENA)- The Ethio-Djibouti railway, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative flagship infrastructure project for African continent, has been providing economic and social benefits to the people of Ethiopia and Djibouti, Chinese companies stated. The Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. Ethio-Djibouti railway is one of the several development projects of the initiative which was put into operation on January 2018. With a total length of 756 kilometers, the railway that starts from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia in the west, and ends in the port of Djibouti in the east, is the first electrified railway project in Africa. The project is being operated and maintained by the joint venture of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and China Railway Group Limited (CREC). Representatives of the companies told ENA that the railway is playing significant role to the development of the countries in terms of increasing transport revenues, enhancing import and export trade as well as in the provision of passenger transport services. They said railway has been facilitating regional connectivity, people to people interaction and economic integration. Deputy General Manager of CCECC-CREC JV project office Yang Anwei, said the Addis Ababa Djibouti railway has been successfully operated nearly six years, which is also the end of the operation service contract of the Chinese management. According to him, over the past six years of operation, the transportation revenue has increased by more than 35 percent every year. The revenue in the first half of 2023 alone has increased by 76 percent compared with same period of last year. This shows that the Addis Ababa - Djibouti railway playing significant role in serving the socio-economic development of Ethiopia and Djibouti. The railway has been providing crucial benefits to Ethiopia as it is transporting Ethiopia’s import and export goods from and to Djibouti port in addition to passengers, he added. He pointed out that the number of Ethiopia’s export goods containers has been increasing every year over the past six years. According to the Deputy General Manager, refrigerated facilities essential to transport export items such as beef, meat, vegetables and coffee will be instrumental for the future growth of cargo transportation in Ethio-Djibouti railway. Ethiopia-Djibouti railway has significant impact to increase development and people to people relation. Addis Ababa - Djibouti Railway is bench mark project of China-Africa cooperation under the "Belt and Road Initiative, he said. The dry port of Mojo and Dire Dawa, built alongside Addis Ababa Djibouti railway have been put into use one after another and the expansion project of Mojo logistic center which is under construction has its own impact for the railway transport. The railway is also vital to stimulating the activities and further development of Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone, it was indicated. All of these activities are expected to increase railway contribution for the economic development of Ethiopia, the deputy general manager said expressing his hope that “the future development perspective of this railway line is very good.”   China Railway No.2 Engineering Group (CREGC), a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited (CREC), international corporation General Manager Hu Tianran on his said the management contract of the Chinese companies will be completed this year. By working together and transfer the infrastructure operation and maintenance responsibility to Ethiopians he noted that “in the near future our Ethiopian friends can manage this whole system as what we have done in the past five years”. He mentioned that even if the maintenance and operation contracts are closed, the technical support from the company will continue. The Belt and Road Initiative 10th year anniversary summit will be held in China on second half of October, 2023, to discuss about the achievements of the initiative and will agreed up on future cooperation areas.  
Quality Legal Education for Promotion of Justice in Ethiopia
Sep 24, 2023 130
BY SOLOMON DIBABA The Addis Ababa University School Law commemorated its Alumnae Convention and 60th Anniversary of its founding in the presence of government higher officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and various institutions on the 23rd of September 2023. Established on 23rd September 1963, Addis Ababa University school of Law is the oldest law school in Ethiopia, pioneering in legal education in both undergraduate and graduate levels. The Law School was established with a mission to produce competent, ethical and responsible profession who can actively contribute towards the prevalence of the rule of law, equality, human rights, democracy, social justice, tolerance and development. The basis for the establishment of the Faculty of Law was laid down by the momentous decision to codify the laws of Ethiopia gave rise to the need of trained lawyers who could understand, interpret, and apply them.   Speaking on the convocation of the former Haile Selassie I University in 1961, the late Emperor Haile Selassie said, “We would ask for the immediate founding of a Faculty of law where our own students may be trained to enter the legal profession. Our empire has need, its government and its commerce for well-educated lawyers and particularly for those who have been trained in their own university, in their own codes and customs.”   The author of this article recalls that the completion of the codification of the laws of the country from 1951-1952 and the consequent issuance of the 1954 Revised Constitution backed up the establishment of such a school for training qualified legal experts. The writer notes that for 40 years out of 60 Addis Ababa University Faculty of Law was the only higher institute for training legal professionals in the country.   Over the last several decades the Law School was engaged in its flagship publication, Journal of Ethiopian Law. Nonetheless, the School was also publishing thematic research publications including Ethiopian Constitutional and Public Law, Ethiopian Civil and Commercial Law series and international law research papers on major contemporary local and global policy and legal issues are debated on regular annual conferences.   As part of its legal social services, the School is running 6 legal aid centers to provide general free legal services to local community members. Out of the 6 one center is reportedly dedicated to providing free legal services for refugees and asylum seekers.   Addis Ababa University School of Law Library established in 1964 boasts one of the finest collections of over 30,000 periodicals, reference books, over 10,000 e-books on law journals and dissertations. To date, the School of Law has graduated more than 6000 highly skilled legal professions who are currently serving in various government institutions.   Over the last several years the author recalls that members of the Law School have been participating in the legal reform programs the government undertaken. The professionals and scholars of the Law School are also networking with Justice and Legal Systems Institute. As stated by several speakers on the occasion, the author is of the opinion that the administrative autonomy granted to the Addis Ababa University could be exploited by the School of Law to further promote the prevalence of quality and practical legal education in the university.   The celebration of the 60th anniversary of the School of Law is of significant importance at a time when Addis Ababa University granted its autonomy very recently. The autonomy status is also crucial in accelerating the growth and development of the school in its aspiration to become a preeminent center of excellence for legal education and scholarship in the changing global, regional and national order, he noted.   The Addis Ababa University Law School can also serve as a unique center for the improvement of legal education in other public universities across the country by establishing projects that are geared towards building the capacity of the legal schools in these universities.   The Law School can assist in developing some kind of public legal education program in cooperation with CSOs and professional associations in the country. This is important because a huge gap is being observed in public adherence to the rule of law, conception of their constitutional rights and obligations as citizens.   The Law School provides lectures and seminars in English and new students are on several occasions challenged by their inability to comprehend legal concepts in their proper context. The author holds the opinion that legalistic English needs to be taught as a full course particularly for under graduate students who may also need extensive tutorial classes. This could be supplemented with practical knowledge with orientations on the practical legal technical application of the laws of the country at the various levels of courts of law.   The author would also like to stress on the growing significance of conducting researches on important legal issues pertaining to the protection of the environment, natural resources of the country, cyber-attacks, computer crimes and other crimes related to the modernization of the socio-economic development of the country.    
GERD Legitimate Dev’t Aspirations of Ethiopians, Region at Large: Deputy PM & FM Demeke
Sep 23, 2023 216
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023 (ENA) The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a project that meets the legitimate development aspirations of Ethiopians and the region at large, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister delivered his statement today at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. During the occasion, he said Ethiopia honored its responsibility by promoting regional integration to advance peace, stability, economic cooperation and people to people ties. “We are working to materialize the development potential of our region. Ethiopia is determined to cooperate with its neighbors to expand trade, investment, and regional integration through infrastructural development, efficient logistics, and connectivity, ” he said. Highlighting that any bottleneck that would constraint the shared prosperity of the region needs to be addressed in a concerted approach, he said fostering a closer approach is critical to create access to seamless connectivity. Cultivating mutual trust and friendship is the right choice for regional cooperation and interdependence, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister said, adding regional integration positively impacts the lives of people especially when complemented by well developed infrastructure development projects. For Demeke, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is one such project that meets the legitimate development aspirations of Ethiopians and the region at large. And he welcomes the resumption of the trilateral talks. Regarding Ethiopia’s commitment on climate change, he stressed “we are committed to finding comprehensive solutions to the climate crisis, Ethiopian owned flagship program, the national Green Legacy Initiative, is a demonstration of this commitment.” Noting that the objective of the program is to cultivate a green culture and ensure the country’s development through rural and urban green initiatives, he said the program has been successful and we are making every effort to share our experience.  
Need for Appropriate Technologies that Reduce Post-harvest Loss Underscored
Sep 23, 2023 241
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023 (ENA) Africa needs to improve investment in appropriate technologies to reduce post-harvest loss, African Union CAADP Coordinator Komla Bissi told ENA. Out of the more than 800 million people facing hunger globally, 278 million are in Africa where 30 percent of the food produced for human consumption is wasted, he added. According to Bissi it is a common knowledge that at least about 30 percent of all the total green produce in this continent is lost in many ways along the value chain from the farm to the processing and to the table. Therefore, “emphasis must not only be made on producing more food to achieve continental food security but also work towards reducing the losses that we are experiencing along the value chain from the farm to the dining table.” He emphasized the need to improve investment in appropriate technologies to reduce post-harvest loss. “We need to improve our investment in the capacities research that enables us to be able to identify the areas of losses, quantify the losses, and then develop mechanisms that allow us to be able to reduce these losses along the value chain,” the coordinator stated. In connection with this, the African Union Commission has approved a continental process that has developed the continental Post-harvest Management Strategy to help countries identify their own priorities on what needs to be done to reduce post-harvest loss. Bissi noted that African Union Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, adopted a remarkable set of concrete agriculture goals to be attained by 2025. “As we speak a number of countries are on a positive movement towards activities. In the last review that we conducted, we are aware that at least 11 countries have done extremely well towards meeting these targets.” South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, among a few, seem to be on track, he revealed. “We encourage countries to continue to innovate and continue to prioritize post-harvest losses as part of the global food security agenda of different countries and the continent,” the coordinator added. Sasakawa Africa Association Strategic Partnerships Director, Mel Oluoch said on his part that post-harvest management is a really critical area in the food chain. “If you look at the entire food systems there's a lot of work which goes into making sure that we produce the food that we eat. And unfortunately, in Africa, up to 30 percent of the food that is produced is lost after harvest.” He stressed that it is important to find solutions in how we can reduce this post-harvest food loss. “Farmers who engage in the agriculture value chain can be able to maximize the profits they get by reducing this food loss and making sure also that the food that ends up in the market for consumers is of top quality, not toxic, and not affected by aflatoxin.” He underlined that the key issue here is partnership, coming together, working together amongst us to be able to find these concrete solutions that we need to be able to reduce post-harvest food loss or food waste in Africa.  
Featured
Chinese Supported Ethio-Djibouti Railway Providing Crucial Economic, Social Benefits 
Sep 24, 2023 124
Addis Ababa, September 24/2023 (ENA)- The Ethio-Djibouti railway, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative flagship infrastructure project for African continent, has been providing economic and social benefits to the people of Ethiopia and Djibouti, Chinese companies stated. The Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. Ethio-Djibouti railway is one of the several development projects of the initiative which was put into operation on January 2018. With a total length of 756 kilometers, the railway that starts from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia in the west, and ends in the port of Djibouti in the east, is the first electrified railway project in Africa. The project is being operated and maintained by the joint venture of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and China Railway Group Limited (CREC). Representatives of the companies told ENA that the railway is playing significant role to the development of the countries in terms of increasing transport revenues, enhancing import and export trade as well as in the provision of passenger transport services. They said railway has been facilitating regional connectivity, people to people interaction and economic integration. Deputy General Manager of CCECC-CREC JV project office Yang Anwei, said the Addis Ababa Djibouti railway has been successfully operated nearly six years, which is also the end of the operation service contract of the Chinese management. According to him, over the past six years of operation, the transportation revenue has increased by more than 35 percent every year. The revenue in the first half of 2023 alone has increased by 76 percent compared with same period of last year. This shows that the Addis Ababa - Djibouti railway playing significant role in serving the socio-economic development of Ethiopia and Djibouti. The railway has been providing crucial benefits to Ethiopia as it is transporting Ethiopia’s import and export goods from and to Djibouti port in addition to passengers, he added. He pointed out that the number of Ethiopia’s export goods containers has been increasing every year over the past six years. According to the Deputy General Manager, refrigerated facilities essential to transport export items such as beef, meat, vegetables and coffee will be instrumental for the future growth of cargo transportation in Ethio-Djibouti railway. Ethiopia-Djibouti railway has significant impact to increase development and people to people relation. Addis Ababa - Djibouti Railway is bench mark project of China-Africa cooperation under the "Belt and Road Initiative, he said. The dry port of Mojo and Dire Dawa, built alongside Addis Ababa Djibouti railway have been put into use one after another and the expansion project of Mojo logistic center which is under construction has its own impact for the railway transport. The railway is also vital to stimulating the activities and further development of Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone, it was indicated. All of these activities are expected to increase railway contribution for the economic development of Ethiopia, the deputy general manager said expressing his hope that “the future development perspective of this railway line is very good.”   China Railway No.2 Engineering Group (CREGC), a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited (CREC), international corporation General Manager Hu Tianran on his said the management contract of the Chinese companies will be completed this year. By working together and transfer the infrastructure operation and maintenance responsibility to Ethiopians he noted that “in the near future our Ethiopian friends can manage this whole system as what we have done in the past five years”. He mentioned that even if the maintenance and operation contracts are closed, the technical support from the company will continue. The Belt and Road Initiative 10th year anniversary summit will be held in China on second half of October, 2023, to discuss about the achievements of the initiative and will agreed up on future cooperation areas.  
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Politics
All Must Come Together for Unity of Purpose for Peace and Prosperity, Says Deputy PM at UN General Assembly
Sep 23, 2023 263
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023 (ENA) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonen, in his statement to the UN General Assembly today, has called on the international community to realize that humanity is at a critical juncture where all must come together for a unity of purpose for peace and prosperity. The deputy premier stressed the need to ask for having the necessary political will to choose the global partnership over geopolitical competition at a time when the world is faced with a multitude of challenges in such times. He further emphasized the need for cooperation in mitigating climate change, de-escalating nuclear weapons-related tensions, and working on reforms in the UN and international financial institutions for the sake of the wellbeing of humanity. Speaking on the Sustainable Development Goals, Demeke said the progress towards achieving them is off track, pushing the objective of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030 even further behind. The deputy premier, who recounted Ethiopia’s measures to align its 10-year Development Plan with the SDGs, has called for a renewed global partnership and firm political commitment to realize the objectives. In his remarks about climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, Demeke noted the need for support for Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. He also emphasized the need for institutional reform in the United Nations in general and the Security Council in particular. Reforming the Security Council is not a choice, but an absolute necessity which requires the politically and morally justified allocation of permanent seats to Africa.   Emphasizing Ethiopia’s commitment to peace, the deputy prime minister mentioned the Pretoria Peace Agreement. According to him, the agreement is a practical embodiment of “African Solutions to African Problems.” In connection with regional peace and integration, Demeke called for coordinated efforts for peace initiatives in Sudan. As part of the demonstration to Ethiopia's commitment to expedite regional integration, he mentioned the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as a demonstration of the legitimate development aspirations of Ethiopians and the region at large. Furthermore, Demeke pointed out the crucial role international financial institutions are expected to play in augmenting the efforts of developing countries to take debt relief measures and provide development finance. The international financial architecture should be reformed with special considerations for Africa’s needs and priorities, he underlined. The general debate of the seventy-eighth session of the General Assembly will continue up to Tuesday, 26 September 2023.  
Ethiopia’s Participation at UNGA78 Successful : Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sep 23, 2023 280
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023(ENA) Ethiopia’s participation at the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA78) has been very successful and created understanding about the interest of the country, said Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Meles Alem. The UNGA78 is going on in New York under the theme: “Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all'. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonen has carried out effective bilateral and multilateral diplomacy with some 30 high level officials of various countries and heads of UN organizations both at the78th Sessions of United Nations General Assembly(UNGA78) and on the margins of the summit. During the discussions, countries, international institutions and partners have got a good understanding of the Ethiopia, underpinning their development partnerships and cooperation, the spokesperson pointed out. The spokesperson also said the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has appreciated Ethiopia's handling of refugees during the discussion he held with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonen. The secretary general described Ethiopia as an important player in multilateral diplomacy, Meles said. Ambassador Meles also said the desires shown by the international financial institutions to support Ethiopia is encouraging. As a result, the 78th UN General Assembly has created a good opportunity to increase Ethiopia's influence on the international diplomatic stage, he added. In an informal meeting convened by Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, Ethiopia has echoed the common position of African continent to get a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, according to the spokesperson. In general, the bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activities Ethiopia has carried at UNGA78 has been successful as part of achieving the target set out by the ministry in the Fiscal year to increase its allies and diplomatic clout, he pointed out. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonon is expected to deliver a speech at the General Assembly today, explaining the position of Ethiopia and his government.  
Air Algérie Direct Flight to Ethiopia Will Bolster Bilateral Ties: Ethiopian, Algerian Officials   
Sep 22, 2023 526
Addis Ababa, September 22/2023(ENA) The direct flight that Air Algérie started to Addis Ababa today will play a great role in bolstering the bilateral relations between the two countries, including people-to-people ties, trade exchange, tourism, and investment flow, according to Ethiopian and Algerian officials. To connect the capital cities of the two countries, Air Algérie will have two flight frequencies a week flying on Mondays and Fridays from Addis Ababa, and every Tuesday and Saturday departing from Algiers. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Algeria, Nebiat Getachew said the new direct flight is expected to improve the bilateral relationship, overall socio-economic interactions, people-to-people, trade, tourism, and investment. Ethiopia and Algeria enjoy strong bilateral relations with a particular focus on political and diplomatic relations and registered various successes, but the economic and trade exchange was not satisfactory as such, he noted. According to him, especially in the past year, high-level government officials of both countries have been discussing and works were underway to particularly facilitate direct flight connection between the capitals of the two countries to bolster the bilateral relations. Algerian Minister of Transport Youcef Chorfa appreciated the efforts made by the Ethiopian authorities, which culminated in the opening of this air route, allowing the opening of new horizons of cooperation in various fields, especially economic and trade, and ensuring the movement of people and goods. “The historic, first, direct flight that Air Algeria started from Algeris to Addis Ababa today will play a key role to boost the relations between the two countries, especially trade, investment, and the people-to-people ties,” Nebiat said. Air Algérie CEO, Yacine Benslimane said the Algers-Addis Ababa direct flight with two weekly frequencies is the 9th destination in Africa for the airlines and the link is crucial to enhance the relations between the countries. “I take also this good opportunity to invite Ethiopian Airlines to open a direct air route between Addis Ababa and Algiers, to make Algiers International Airport a pole and a gateway to world capitals as a hub,” the Algerian minister said. The flight link is the embodiment of one of the commitments of the leaders of the two countries, he said. President Sahle- work Zewde’s working visit to Algeria in July 2022, included the opening of a direct air route between Algeria and Addis Ababa, which will contribute to giving a new dynamism to bilateral cooperation relations, the minister added. Mentioning that Ethiopian Airlines flies to over 63 destinations in Africa using Addis Ababa as a hub, Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Mesfin Tasew said Ethiopian has been aspiring to connect the cities but was not successful thus far in directly connecting the cities and countries in north and Sub-saharan Africa. “But we are ready and willing to partner with Air Algérie in connecting Algeria to Eastern Africa using Addis Ababa as a hub,” Mesfin said. “Today, Air Algérie made the first flight connecting the two cities and it is a great day for the two countries,” he said, adding that it will enhance people-to-people, trade, tourism, and trade. Ethiopian Airlines is also interested in partnering with Air Algérie to enhance this connectivity with more frequencies and better connectivity, Mesfin added.    
Nation Carrying out Successful Diplomatic Work at 78th UNGA: Permanent Representative Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma
Sep 22, 2023 346
Addis Ababa, September 22/2023(ENA)-Ethiopia has been carrying out successful diplomatic work at the United Nations 78th General Assembly (UNGA), Ethiopia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations said. In his briefing about Ethiopia’s participation at the assembly, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma said the country has conducted effective discussion with various countries and international institutions on the sidelines of the assembly. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen had discussions with high-level government and international institutions officials and partners on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of cooperation, he added. According to him, through the discussions consensus has been reached that Ethiopia's reform and peace process is on the right track. On the other hand, Ethiopia has elucidated its position at the discussions on the sidelines of the meeting organized by different countries and institutions, the representative pointed out. During these occasions, Ethiopia has called for reform of the United Nations and the need for Africa to get permanent representation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Ambassador Tesfaye stated that Ethiopia had the opportunity to explain the realty on the ground and reflect its position at the general assembly. The discussions with the various representatives of international institutions and companies were held also fruitful, according to the permanent representative. The desire of global financial institutions and companies to extend financial support and invest in Ethiopia is promising, he disclosed. The ongoing United Nations 78th General Assembly (UNGA) will conclude on September 26, 2023.    
Ethiopia, Pakistan Discuss Parliamentary Cooperation to Boost Bilateral Ties  
Sep 22, 2023 343
Addis Ababa, September 22/2023(ENA) -Ethiopia and Pakistan discussed possibilities of exchanging Parliamentary delegations to further strengthen the bilateral ties and foster robust cooperation in diverse areas. The discussion took place between Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan, Jemal Beker and Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate. During the meeting, both the dignitaries discussed matters of mutual interest including bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Jemal Beker said volume of bilateral trade between the two countries was minimal, while underlining the need to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries by developing economic and business linkages. Highlighting the importance of Ethiopia under Pakistan's Engage Africa policy, the ambassador said Ethiopian market offered lucrative business, trade and investment opportunities to the Pakistan’s business community. Ambassador Jemal invited Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani to visit Ethiopia which was a land of origins and a gateway to the African continent. Chairman Sanjrani expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian parliamentary leadership, government, and the ambassador for extending him invitation to visit Ethiopia. He said the exchange of parliamentary delegations would fortify relations between the two countries. Chairman Sanjrani emphasized the importance of the existing strong bond between the two nations, rooted in shared history, common interests, and mutual support at international platforms. He lauded the Government of Ethiopia for launching the Ethiopian Airlines in Karachi which would not only connect Pakistan with Ethiopia but also with entire Africa.  
Politics
All Must Come Together for Unity of Purpose for Peace and Prosperity, Says Deputy PM at UN General Assembly
Sep 23, 2023 263
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023 (ENA) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonen, in his statement to the UN General Assembly today, has called on the international community to realize that humanity is at a critical juncture where all must come together for a unity of purpose for peace and prosperity. The deputy premier stressed the need to ask for having the necessary political will to choose the global partnership over geopolitical competition at a time when the world is faced with a multitude of challenges in such times. He further emphasized the need for cooperation in mitigating climate change, de-escalating nuclear weapons-related tensions, and working on reforms in the UN and international financial institutions for the sake of the wellbeing of humanity. Speaking on the Sustainable Development Goals, Demeke said the progress towards achieving them is off track, pushing the objective of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030 even further behind. The deputy premier, who recounted Ethiopia’s measures to align its 10-year Development Plan with the SDGs, has called for a renewed global partnership and firm political commitment to realize the objectives. In his remarks about climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, Demeke noted the need for support for Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. He also emphasized the need for institutional reform in the United Nations in general and the Security Council in particular. Reforming the Security Council is not a choice, but an absolute necessity which requires the politically and morally justified allocation of permanent seats to Africa.   Emphasizing Ethiopia’s commitment to peace, the deputy prime minister mentioned the Pretoria Peace Agreement. According to him, the agreement is a practical embodiment of “African Solutions to African Problems.” In connection with regional peace and integration, Demeke called for coordinated efforts for peace initiatives in Sudan. As part of the demonstration to Ethiopia's commitment to expedite regional integration, he mentioned the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as a demonstration of the legitimate development aspirations of Ethiopians and the region at large. Furthermore, Demeke pointed out the crucial role international financial institutions are expected to play in augmenting the efforts of developing countries to take debt relief measures and provide development finance. The international financial architecture should be reformed with special considerations for Africa’s needs and priorities, he underlined. The general debate of the seventy-eighth session of the General Assembly will continue up to Tuesday, 26 September 2023.  
Ethiopia’s Participation at UNGA78 Successful : Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sep 23, 2023 280
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023(ENA) Ethiopia’s participation at the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA78) has been very successful and created understanding about the interest of the country, said Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Meles Alem. The UNGA78 is going on in New York under the theme: “Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all'. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonen has carried out effective bilateral and multilateral diplomacy with some 30 high level officials of various countries and heads of UN organizations both at the78th Sessions of United Nations General Assembly(UNGA78) and on the margins of the summit. During the discussions, countries, international institutions and partners have got a good understanding of the Ethiopia, underpinning their development partnerships and cooperation, the spokesperson pointed out. The spokesperson also said the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has appreciated Ethiopia's handling of refugees during the discussion he held with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonen. The secretary general described Ethiopia as an important player in multilateral diplomacy, Meles said. Ambassador Meles also said the desires shown by the international financial institutions to support Ethiopia is encouraging. As a result, the 78th UN General Assembly has created a good opportunity to increase Ethiopia's influence on the international diplomatic stage, he added. In an informal meeting convened by Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, Ethiopia has echoed the common position of African continent to get a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, according to the spokesperson. In general, the bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activities Ethiopia has carried at UNGA78 has been successful as part of achieving the target set out by the ministry in the Fiscal year to increase its allies and diplomatic clout, he pointed out. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonon is expected to deliver a speech at the General Assembly today, explaining the position of Ethiopia and his government.  
Air Algérie Direct Flight to Ethiopia Will Bolster Bilateral Ties: Ethiopian, Algerian Officials   
Sep 22, 2023 526
Addis Ababa, September 22/2023(ENA) The direct flight that Air Algérie started to Addis Ababa today will play a great role in bolstering the bilateral relations between the two countries, including people-to-people ties, trade exchange, tourism, and investment flow, according to Ethiopian and Algerian officials. To connect the capital cities of the two countries, Air Algérie will have two flight frequencies a week flying on Mondays and Fridays from Addis Ababa, and every Tuesday and Saturday departing from Algiers. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Algeria, Nebiat Getachew said the new direct flight is expected to improve the bilateral relationship, overall socio-economic interactions, people-to-people, trade, tourism, and investment. Ethiopia and Algeria enjoy strong bilateral relations with a particular focus on political and diplomatic relations and registered various successes, but the economic and trade exchange was not satisfactory as such, he noted. According to him, especially in the past year, high-level government officials of both countries have been discussing and works were underway to particularly facilitate direct flight connection between the capitals of the two countries to bolster the bilateral relations. Algerian Minister of Transport Youcef Chorfa appreciated the efforts made by the Ethiopian authorities, which culminated in the opening of this air route, allowing the opening of new horizons of cooperation in various fields, especially economic and trade, and ensuring the movement of people and goods. “The historic, first, direct flight that Air Algeria started from Algeris to Addis Ababa today will play a key role to boost the relations between the two countries, especially trade, investment, and the people-to-people ties,” Nebiat said. Air Algérie CEO, Yacine Benslimane said the Algers-Addis Ababa direct flight with two weekly frequencies is the 9th destination in Africa for the airlines and the link is crucial to enhance the relations between the countries. “I take also this good opportunity to invite Ethiopian Airlines to open a direct air route between Addis Ababa and Algiers, to make Algiers International Airport a pole and a gateway to world capitals as a hub,” the Algerian minister said. The flight link is the embodiment of one of the commitments of the leaders of the two countries, he said. President Sahle- work Zewde’s working visit to Algeria in July 2022, included the opening of a direct air route between Algeria and Addis Ababa, which will contribute to giving a new dynamism to bilateral cooperation relations, the minister added. Mentioning that Ethiopian Airlines flies to over 63 destinations in Africa using Addis Ababa as a hub, Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Mesfin Tasew said Ethiopian has been aspiring to connect the cities but was not successful thus far in directly connecting the cities and countries in north and Sub-saharan Africa. “But we are ready and willing to partner with Air Algérie in connecting Algeria to Eastern Africa using Addis Ababa as a hub,” Mesfin said. “Today, Air Algérie made the first flight connecting the two cities and it is a great day for the two countries,” he said, adding that it will enhance people-to-people, trade, tourism, and trade. Ethiopian Airlines is also interested in partnering with Air Algérie to enhance this connectivity with more frequencies and better connectivity, Mesfin added.    
Nation Carrying out Successful Diplomatic Work at 78th UNGA: Permanent Representative Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma
Sep 22, 2023 346
Addis Ababa, September 22/2023(ENA)-Ethiopia has been carrying out successful diplomatic work at the United Nations 78th General Assembly (UNGA), Ethiopia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations said. In his briefing about Ethiopia’s participation at the assembly, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma said the country has conducted effective discussion with various countries and international institutions on the sidelines of the assembly. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen had discussions with high-level government and international institutions officials and partners on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of cooperation, he added. According to him, through the discussions consensus has been reached that Ethiopia's reform and peace process is on the right track. On the other hand, Ethiopia has elucidated its position at the discussions on the sidelines of the meeting organized by different countries and institutions, the representative pointed out. During these occasions, Ethiopia has called for reform of the United Nations and the need for Africa to get permanent representation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Ambassador Tesfaye stated that Ethiopia had the opportunity to explain the realty on the ground and reflect its position at the general assembly. The discussions with the various representatives of international institutions and companies were held also fruitful, according to the permanent representative. The desire of global financial institutions and companies to extend financial support and invest in Ethiopia is promising, he disclosed. The ongoing United Nations 78th General Assembly (UNGA) will conclude on September 26, 2023.    
Ethiopia, Pakistan Discuss Parliamentary Cooperation to Boost Bilateral Ties  
Sep 22, 2023 343
Addis Ababa, September 22/2023(ENA) -Ethiopia and Pakistan discussed possibilities of exchanging Parliamentary delegations to further strengthen the bilateral ties and foster robust cooperation in diverse areas. The discussion took place between Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan, Jemal Beker and Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate. During the meeting, both the dignitaries discussed matters of mutual interest including bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Jemal Beker said volume of bilateral trade between the two countries was minimal, while underlining the need to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries by developing economic and business linkages. Highlighting the importance of Ethiopia under Pakistan's Engage Africa policy, the ambassador said Ethiopian market offered lucrative business, trade and investment opportunities to the Pakistan’s business community. Ambassador Jemal invited Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani to visit Ethiopia which was a land of origins and a gateway to the African continent. Chairman Sanjrani expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian parliamentary leadership, government, and the ambassador for extending him invitation to visit Ethiopia. He said the exchange of parliamentary delegations would fortify relations between the two countries. Chairman Sanjrani emphasized the importance of the existing strong bond between the two nations, rooted in shared history, common interests, and mutual support at international platforms. He lauded the Government of Ethiopia for launching the Ethiopian Airlines in Karachi which would not only connect Pakistan with Ethiopia but also with entire Africa.  
Social
Addis Ababa University School of Law Celebrating 60th Anniversary
Sep 23, 2023 334
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023(ENA) The Law School of Addis Ababa University, the oldest law school in the country, is celebrating its 60th anniversary and first alumni convention. Addressing the occasion today, Interim President of Addis Ababa University Samuel Kifle said the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the School of Law is of significant importance at a time when Addis Ababa University granted its autonomy very recently. The autonomy status is also crucial in accelerating the growth and development of the school in its aspiration to become a preeminent center of excellence for legal education and scholarship in the changing global, regional and national order, he noted. "I believe the school can attain this aspired preeminence and continue to become the most-sought after center of excellence in legal education by taking advantage of opportunities in its reform activities." For Samuel, the school can claim its fair share of dividend from the autonomy recently accorded to Addis Ababa University. There is an opportunity to redefine its organizational structure and reiterate its mission and goals in light of changing realities of the market for law graduates, Samuel noted. The school can take advantage of its elite status in the country to attract most competent students and cement its position and build a viable revenue base to support its educational and research endeavors, Samuel elaborated. He underlined that building a strong law school is indispensable in our effort to build a prominent and globally competitive autonomous university. President of the Federal Supreme Court, Justice Minister, Governor of National Bank of Ethiopia, Dean of College of Law and Governance studies and among others attended the law school anniversary.   Established on 23rd September 1963, Addis Ababa University school of Law is the oldest law school in Ethiopia, pioneering in legal education in both undergraduate and graduate levels.    
Economy
Chinese Supported Ethio-Djibouti Railway Providing Crucial Economic, Social Benefits 
Sep 24, 2023 124
Addis Ababa, September 24/2023 (ENA)- The Ethio-Djibouti railway, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative flagship infrastructure project for African continent, has been providing economic and social benefits to the people of Ethiopia and Djibouti, Chinese companies stated. The Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. Ethio-Djibouti railway is one of the several development projects of the initiative which was put into operation on January 2018. With a total length of 756 kilometers, the railway that starts from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia in the west, and ends in the port of Djibouti in the east, is the first electrified railway project in Africa. The project is being operated and maintained by the joint venture of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and China Railway Group Limited (CREC). Representatives of the companies told ENA that the railway is playing significant role to the development of the countries in terms of increasing transport revenues, enhancing import and export trade as well as in the provision of passenger transport services. They said railway has been facilitating regional connectivity, people to people interaction and economic integration. Deputy General Manager of CCECC-CREC JV project office Yang Anwei, said the Addis Ababa Djibouti railway has been successfully operated nearly six years, which is also the end of the operation service contract of the Chinese management. According to him, over the past six years of operation, the transportation revenue has increased by more than 35 percent every year. The revenue in the first half of 2023 alone has increased by 76 percent compared with same period of last year. This shows that the Addis Ababa - Djibouti railway playing significant role in serving the socio-economic development of Ethiopia and Djibouti. The railway has been providing crucial benefits to Ethiopia as it is transporting Ethiopia’s import and export goods from and to Djibouti port in addition to passengers, he added. He pointed out that the number of Ethiopia’s export goods containers has been increasing every year over the past six years. According to the Deputy General Manager, refrigerated facilities essential to transport export items such as beef, meat, vegetables and coffee will be instrumental for the future growth of cargo transportation in Ethio-Djibouti railway. Ethiopia-Djibouti railway has significant impact to increase development and people to people relation. Addis Ababa - Djibouti Railway is bench mark project of China-Africa cooperation under the "Belt and Road Initiative, he said. The dry port of Mojo and Dire Dawa, built alongside Addis Ababa Djibouti railway have been put into use one after another and the expansion project of Mojo logistic center which is under construction has its own impact for the railway transport. The railway is also vital to stimulating the activities and further development of Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone, it was indicated. All of these activities are expected to increase railway contribution for the economic development of Ethiopia, the deputy general manager said expressing his hope that “the future development perspective of this railway line is very good.”   China Railway No.2 Engineering Group (CREGC), a subsidiary of China Railway Group Limited (CREC), international corporation General Manager Hu Tianran on his said the management contract of the Chinese companies will be completed this year. By working together and transfer the infrastructure operation and maintenance responsibility to Ethiopians he noted that “in the near future our Ethiopian friends can manage this whole system as what we have done in the past five years”. He mentioned that even if the maintenance and operation contracts are closed, the technical support from the company will continue. The Belt and Road Initiative 10th year anniversary summit will be held in China on second half of October, 2023, to discuss about the achievements of the initiative and will agreed up on future cooperation areas.  
GERD Legitimate Dev’t Aspirations of Ethiopians, Region at Large: Deputy PM & FM Demeke
Sep 23, 2023 216
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023 (ENA) The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a project that meets the legitimate development aspirations of Ethiopians and the region at large, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister delivered his statement today at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. During the occasion, he said Ethiopia honored its responsibility by promoting regional integration to advance peace, stability, economic cooperation and people to people ties. “We are working to materialize the development potential of our region. Ethiopia is determined to cooperate with its neighbors to expand trade, investment, and regional integration through infrastructural development, efficient logistics, and connectivity, ” he said. Highlighting that any bottleneck that would constraint the shared prosperity of the region needs to be addressed in a concerted approach, he said fostering a closer approach is critical to create access to seamless connectivity. Cultivating mutual trust and friendship is the right choice for regional cooperation and interdependence, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister said, adding regional integration positively impacts the lives of people especially when complemented by well developed infrastructure development projects. For Demeke, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is one such project that meets the legitimate development aspirations of Ethiopians and the region at large. And he welcomes the resumption of the trilateral talks. Regarding Ethiopia’s commitment on climate change, he stressed “we are committed to finding comprehensive solutions to the climate crisis, Ethiopian owned flagship program, the national Green Legacy Initiative, is a demonstration of this commitment.” Noting that the objective of the program is to cultivate a green culture and ensure the country’s development through rural and urban green initiatives, he said the program has been successful and we are making every effort to share our experience.  
Need for Appropriate Technologies that Reduce Post-harvest Loss Underscored
Sep 23, 2023 241
Addis Ababa, September 23/2023 (ENA) Africa needs to improve investment in appropriate technologies to reduce post-harvest loss, African Union CAADP Coordinator Komla Bissi told ENA. Out of the more than 800 million people facing hunger globally, 278 million are in Africa where 30 percent of the food produced for human consumption is wasted, he added. According to Bissi it is a common knowledge that at least about 30 percent of all the total green produce in this continent is lost in many ways along the value chain from the farm to the processing and to the table. Therefore, “emphasis must not only be made on producing more food to achieve continental food security but also work towards reducing the losses that we are experiencing along the value chain from the farm to the dining table.” He emphasized the need to improve investment in appropriate technologies to reduce post-harvest loss. “We need to improve our investment in the capacities research that enables us to be able to identify the areas of losses, quantify the losses, and then develop mechanisms that allow us to be able to reduce these losses along the value chain,” the coordinator stated. In connection with this, the African Union Commission has approved a continental process that has developed the continental Post-harvest Management Strategy to help countries identify their own priorities on what needs to be done to reduce post-harvest loss. Bissi noted that African Union Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, adopted a remarkable set of concrete agriculture goals to be attained by 2025. “As we speak a number of countries are on a positive movement towards activities. In the last review that we conducted, we are aware that at least 11 countries have done extremely well towards meeting these targets.” South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, among a few, seem to be on track, he revealed. “We encourage countries to continue to innovate and continue to prioritize post-harvest losses as part of the global food security agenda of different countries and the continent,” the coordinator added. Sasakawa Africa Association Strategic Partnerships Director, Mel Oluoch said on his part that post-harvest management is a really critical area in the food chain. “If you look at the entire food systems there's a lot of work which goes into making sure that we produce the food that we eat. And unfortunately, in Africa, up to 30 percent of the food that is produced is lost after harvest.” He stressed that it is important to find solutions in how we can reduce this post-harvest food loss. “Farmers who engage in the agriculture value chain can be able to maximize the profits they get by reducing this food loss and making sure also that the food that ends up in the market for consumers is of top quality, not toxic, and not affected by aflatoxin.” He underlined that the key issue here is partnership, coming together, working together amongst us to be able to find these concrete solutions that we need to be able to reduce post-harvest food loss or food waste in Africa.  
Coal Washery Plant Built with 500 Million Birr Goes Operational 
Sep 23, 2023 247
Addis Ababa, September 22/2023(ENA) A new state-of-the-art coal washery plant built by the local company Yo Holding Trade and Manufacturing PLC with 500 million Birr has begun operation in Benishangul-Gumuz region. With an annual washing capacity of 1 million tons of high-quality coal, this is the first coal washing plant in Ethiopia, officials of the company announced today. The plant uses advanced processes to remove impurities from raw coal, producing a cleaner-burning product that contains fewer emissions when burned, Deputy CEO of Yo Holding Trade and Manufacturing PLC Ataklti Tesfay said. Local coal washing capabilities will help Ethiopia reduce dependence on foreign sources as Ethiopia imports about 1 million tons of washed coal annually, costing over 227 million USD. According to Ataklti, the washed coal is dried on-site and transported to meet growing demand from industries like cement, steel, ceramics, pulp and gypsum manufacturing across Ethiopia. Many of these companies face coal supply shortages due to lack of foreign currency to import washed coal, he noted, adding that the new local source of washed coal will enable several industries to operate at full capacity. Moreover, the modern plant signifies an important advance for Ethiopia's coal industry and energy development by improving coal quality and reducing polluting emissions. The factory has created 200 jobs for Ethiopians and the goal is to hire up to 700 workers, it was learned. Yo Holding Trade and Manufacturing Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Yetaseb Degu, on his part said the production capacity of the plant will reach 2.1 million tons annually when expansion is completed next Ethiopian fiscal year. He added that would make Ethiopia the 5th largest producer of washed coal in Africa. According to the research done by the company, there is coal reserve in the place that will last for up to 50 years. The chief officer pointed out that the state-of-the-art plant not only substitutes import but also enhance the quality and competitiveness of Ethiopian coal in international markets.  
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Technology
Microsoft Choses Ethiopia as One of Africa New Digital Development Programe
Sep 21, 2023 3468
Addis Ababa, September 21/2023(ENA):- Minister of Innovation and Technoogy, Belete Mola held productive discussion with Microsoft senior leadership about technology collaboration, and philanthropy intersect for the mutual benefit between Ethiopia and Microsoft. The Minister, who is attending the 78th UNGA in New York, briefed the senior leadership of Microsoft about Ethiopia's current state in terms of technological advancement, digital transformation, and areas of growth. He also highlighted Ethiopia's potential as a Business Process Outsourcing (PBO) destination given its large, young, affordable, and trainable workforce, along with the country's strategic location and time zone advantages. The minister has discussed the initiatives and steps taken by Ethiopia to create a conducive environment for BPO, such as infrastructure development, training programs, and policy frameworks; explore opportunities for Microsoft to consider Ethiopia as a potential BPO hub for its operations. Belete also explained Ethiopia's vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to drive growth, innovation, and efficiency across various sectors. The Microsoft leadership reiterated how these can serve as foundations for deeper collaborations with Microsoft; explore opportunities for Microsoft to assist in building AI capacities in Ethiopia, whether through educational programs, research partnerships, or investments in AI startups. He also elaborated Ethiopia’s desire for expanding its digital infrastructure; explore potential partnerships where Microsoft could play a role, such as in providing cloud services, data centers, or other technologies. He further highlighted Ethiopia's emerging startup ecosystem and the potential for innovation; and discussed ways Microsoft could support Ethiopian startups, be it through funding, mentoring, or providing tools and resources. The Minister talked about Digital Governance and Cybersecurity where he explained the need for secure digital platforms for governance and public services. Microsoft has pinpointed how digital solutions could revolutionize sectors like healthcare and agriculture in Ethiopia; discuss potential partnerships, pilot projects, or initiatives where Microsoft's technology can make a meaningful difference. During the meeting bothering sides reiterated on the importance of the partnership, and Belete has expressed gratitude for Microsoft's interest; mutually agreed to take concrete steps in assigning a working team on both sides that will work on an action plan towards steps ahead. The Microsoft leadership has appreciated Ethiopia's keen interest to partner with Microsoft. The minister finally has thanked Microsoft to include Ethiopia to be one of the top 3 African countries for their new Digital Development Program; and appreciated the team the fact that they are planning to visit Addis Ababa on the last week of October for the furtherance of the partnership.  
Finance Ministry, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Launch Gov't Procurement Card 
Aug 31, 2023 2165
Addis Ababa, August 31/2023 (ENA) The Ministry of Finance and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) launched the Government Procurement Card today. The bank and the ministry organized a workshop on government electronic payment performance with representatives drawn from the financial sector and different institutions in the country. During the workshop, CBE President Abe Sano and Finance State Minister Eyob Tekalign officially launched the Government Procurement Card. The Government Procurement Card will enable government budget offices to make digital payments and use government expenditure properly, it was indicated. Implementing government procurement card will play big role in the economy and contribute to the facilitation of Ethiopia’s economic digitization drive. State Minister of Finance, Eyob Tekalgn said works will be underway in collaboration with stakeholders in order to make the procurement card project effective. He said enormous efforts have been carried out to realize the strategy of Digital Ethiopia, noting that the realization of digital transformation is one of the pillars of the country’s home grown economic reform. The use of electronic payment in government procurements is one of the key tasks in this regard, the state minister added. He pointed out that cooperation with the bank will bring a great deal of changes as government procurement plays crucial role in the Ethiopian economy stressing the importance of implementing digital payment system in easing the vulnerability of financial sector. CBE President Abe Sano said for his part the electronic payment system being implemented in the country has been showing encouraging outcomes within a short period of its operation indicating that more than 3.3 trillion Birr was transacted through the system during the concluded Ethiopian budget year alone. More than 170 institutions use CBE electronic transaction, it was learned. .                                            
ICT Not Luxury for Today's Ethiopia: Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations President 
Aug 9, 2023 4663
Addis Ababa August 9/2023(ENA):- Information and communication technology is not a luxury for today’s Ethiopia but a means to transform the agrarian economy to digital economy, Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations President said. A two-day India-Africa ICT Expo 2023, which brought together 30 ICT companies from India and over 10 from Ethiopia opened today in Addis Ababa.   Addressing the expo, Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations (ACCSA) President, Mesenbet Shenkute, said ICT has great potential to accelerate human progress and to develop knowledge societies. ICT is also vital in promoting technology transfer and capacity building, strengthening multi-stakeholders partnership, and enabling data monitoring and accountability, among others, she added. For Mesenbet, information and communication technology is not a luxury for today’s Ethiopia, but a means to transform the agrarian economy to digital economy. Innovation and Technology State Minister Huria Ali stated that the expo is crucial to share experiences of other countries in various areas, including education, health, tourism and other infrastructures, as India has internationally known ecosystem. According to her, the expo will also help to enhance capacity building, strengthen existing relations and work together between India and Ethiopia and other African countries. India's Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) Director-General Arun Gupta said TEPC mainly targets promotion and development of export of telecom equipment and services. Telecom installation services, operation and maintenance services for telecom hardware as well as software, telecom network management services, and telecom consultancy services are among its services.   Citing that ICT sector has been the major driver for the economic growth of the world, Gupta said , noting that India has now all the ingredients of a globally competitive telecom industry. The Government of India, along with Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) and the Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa, organized the expo. The India-Africa Expo is expected to build and solidify partnership between India, Ethiopia, and other African countries in ICT and related sectors, according to the organizers of the expo.  
Sport
Environment
Ethiopia Committed To Full Implementation of SDGs, DPM & FM Demeke Says
Sep 21, 2023 603
Addis Ababa, September 21/2023(ENA) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said Ethiopia is committed to the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Demeke paid a courtesy call to the President of the 78th UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, in New York and exchanged views at length on the current global agenda of the General Assembly. On the occasion, Demeke noted that the implementation of the SDG agenda deserves continuous attention and a series of considerations. Ethiopia remains committed to implementing the global agenda as it complements the ten-year national development plan, Demeke added. Moreover, he told the President of the General Assembly that Ethiopia has undertaken various projects , such as the Green Legacy, successfully. Francis also expressed his satisfaction over the extraordinary measures Ethiopia is undertaking to achieve the targets of the SDGs. He elaborated that UNGA will press for more funding to support the global south, including Africa, to succeed in achieving the SDGs. Similarly, Deneke met with the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Gerd Muller at the sidelines of UN 78th General Assembly. Muller said that UNIDO is committed to support various development projects in Ethiopia. Ethiopia's peace, stability, and development are the priorities of UNIDO he said, adding that in October 2023, UNIDO will convene an international conference in Addis Ababa. Demeke thanked Muller for his personal initiatives and expressed the desire of Ethiopia to have strong working relations with UNIDO. The meeting took place on the margins of UNGA 78 in New York. Demeke also met with other senior government officials from Europe and the Middle East, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  
PM Abiy Pledges to Bequeath Prosperous Ethiopia to Future Generation
Sep 18, 2023 816
Addis Ababa, September 18/2023(ENA):- Through the united efforts of the Ethiopian people, we will bequeath strong and prosperous Ethiopia to future generation, Prime Minister Abiy said during a completion program of the second phase of the first year’s Green Legacy Initiative. The closing program of this year’s second phase of the Green Legacy initiative was held in the Jogo basin area, Lomi Woreda of East Shoa Zone, Oromia region in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy, all chief administrators of regional states and agriculture bureau heads. Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that numerous forums on the impacts of climate change have been held at the global level. As regards mitigating the impacts of climate change and taking concrete actions, progress has not been made, he said, adding, however, Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative has been exemplary in mitigating climate change impacts and taking concrete actions. The premier also disclosed that 7.5 billion tree seedlings have so far been planted this year in the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative. Combined with the two phases of the Green Legacy initiative, Ethiopia is set to plant 50 billion saplings in four years, Abiy elaborated. For instance, Abiy mentioned that the Jogo basin area was barren areas four years ago, but now the area is covered with green plants. The prime minister further mentioned that the local communities have contributed a lot for this success and they are now engaged in beekeeping activities following the green development in the area. He also explained that the massive green development activities that Ethiopia has embarked on are helping the nation to prevent soil erosion, increase rainfall and maintaining ecosystems. Moreover, Abiy said green development is becoming a big economic source in Ethiopia. He further stressed the need for prioritizing fruit, coffee, tea and other market-oriented green development activities. PM Abiy also expressed the appreciation of his government to the people of Ethiopia for their immense contributions and achievements in the Green Legacy initiatives during the past years. Mentioning the successes that are being recorded in Green Legacy initiative, the construction of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), wheat farming and in Lemat Trufat, Abiy urged the public to replicate the successes in all sectors. He also stated that effective activities are being carried out with the cooperation of the government and the people, ensuring the inevitability of Ethiopia's journey to prosperity journey. The prime minister also underscored that there will be no earthly power that can stop Ethiopia's journey of the ongoing far-reaching reform to ensure its prosperity. “We will bequeath a strong and prosperous Ethiopia to the next generation with the united efforts of its people.” It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in June 2023 in the Afar region under the theme: “Let’s plant the future today.” Combined with the 25 billion seedlings planted in the last four years, Ethiopia will become the first country to create forests by planting 50 billion saplings by the end of the second phase of the green initiative, it was indicated. According to the plan, 60 percent of the saplings will be used for agroforestry, 35 percent for forest cover and 5 percent for urban ornaments.  
PM Abiy Says Strong, Resilient Hands of Ethiopians Continue to Make History 
Sep 18, 2023 817
Addis Ababa, September 18/2023(ENA):- At the completion of this year’s season the second phase of the Green Legacy initiative, we achieved more than our intended target, i.e. 7.5 billion saplings have been planted nationwide, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed twitted. The completion program of the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative was held in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and chief administrators of all regional states as well as head of agricultural bureaus at Lume district of East Showa Zone, Oromia region. The premier added the government honors the hard work and perseverance shown by our people. It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Abiy launched the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in the first week of June this year in Afar region under the theme "Let’s Plant Our Future Today". In his remark, Abiy emphasized that the successes being registered in Green Legacy initiative and other sectors demonstrate the inevitability of Ethiopia's journey to prosperity. He stated that 7.5 billion saplings have been planted in the first year's Green Legacy Initiative, and some 32.5 billion saplings have been planted since the start of the initiative. He also pointed out that the nation has set a target of reaching 50 billion saplings in the first and second phase of the Green Legacy initiative. Abiy underscored that there will be no earthly force in the future that can stop Ethiopia's progress and prosperity. The nation will have attained a target of planting 25 billion saplings by the end of the second phase of Green Legacy which runs for four years. According to the plan, 60 percent of the saplings will be used for agroforestry, 35 percent for forest cover and 5 percent for urban ornaments, it was learned.  
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Ethiopian Diaspora Demand Egypt to Change Counterproductive Posture on GERD
Apr 4, 2023 26081
Addis Ababa April 4/2023 (ENA) Ethiopians in the Diaspora have called on Egypt to change its counterproductive posture and find mutually beneficial agreements on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). In a statement the diaspora issued yesterday, they noted that Ethiopia is the main source of the Nile by contributing 86 percent of the water to the Nile basin states while utilizing less than 1 percent of the potential for hydroelectric power. Ethiopians are currently building the GERD on the Blue Nile that is financed entirely by Ethiopians and is a crucial project for the country's development as it will provide clean, renewable energy and lift millions out of poverty. About 65 percent of the 122 million of Ethiopia's population have no access to any form of electricity. The much-needed electricity will facilitate economic growth for Ethiopia and the region, the statement elaborated. The dam will promote regional cooperation and integration while offering opportunity for eleven countries of the Nile Basin to work together to manage the river's resources more efficiently and effectively, it added. The GERD is being built with the highest environmental and technical standards to achieve the objectives of the national electrification program and the execution of Ethiopia’s Climate-Resilient Green Economy Strategy. According to the statement, Ethiopia has provided scientific evidence and expert testimonies that GERD will not significantly affect the flow of water downstream, and provided compelling arguments for the need for equitable use of the Nile's resources by all countries in the region. The diaspora further said they understand that the GERD has raised concerns in Egypt about the downstream effects on the Nile's flow and water availability since Egyptians have been misinformed about the GERD for many years. But on the contrary, the dam will provide several benefits to Egypt and Sudan, including increased water flow during dry seasons and decreased flooding events. “We want to assure Egyptians that Ethiopians are committed to fair and equitable use of the Nile's waters without harming our downstream neighbors. We recognize that the Nile River is a shared resource, and we support finding a mutually beneficial solution.” As Ethiopians in the Diaspora, we reiterate our support for fair and equitable use of the Nile River and call on the Egyptian people and Egyptian Diaspora to question the misinformation about the GERD in Egypt's mainstream media and embrace the spirit of friendship and cooperation by understanding that the GERD is a project of great national importance to Ethiopians that will benefit Egyptians by ensuring a reliable and predictable supply of water, that Ethiopians have the right to use their water resources for the development of its people and economy, in accordance with the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization without causing significant harm. Efforts to destabilize Ethiopia by the regime in Egypt, will indeed affect the historical and diplomatic relations dating back to several thousand years, the long-term interest of the Egyptian people and make Ethiopians less trusting in cooperating on the GERD and future hydropower projects on the Nile, they warned. The diaspora groups urged Egyptian leaders to engage in constructive dialogue with the leaders of Ethiopia regarding the GERD and steer away from their counterproductive posture of calling for a “binding agreement” on the GERD filling and the subsequent operations as an imposing instrument on water sharing that Ethiopians will never accept. The GERD can be a source of cooperation and collaboration between our two countries rather than a source of conflict, they underscored. "Ethiopians believe that, through dialogue and understanding, peaceful and equitable agreements that benefit all parties involved can be realized to build a brighter future for all people in the Nile basin. Belligerent positions by Egyptian leaders stating ‘all options are open’ are contrary to the spirit of the 2015 Declaration of Principles signed by Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt." According to the statement, such postures will surely harm Egypt's long-term interest and impede trustful cooperation with the Ethiopian people and government. They asked Arab League and its member states to refrain from interfering in the issue of the GERD, which is the sole concern of the three riparian countries (Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt) and their shared regional organization (the African Union), which is mediating the talks to find ‘African Solutions to African Problems.’ The issues remaining on the table at the trilateral negotiations under the auspices of the African Union are being narrowed to a handful of critical matters on equity and justice, on which the Arab league nations have no business or legal right to be involved.
Africa’s Sustainable Growth Hinges on Science, Technology and Innovation: Experts
Mar 3, 2023 21095
Addis Ababa March 3/2023/ENA/ Achieving the ambitious targets of the 2030 and 2063 Agendas of Africa requires leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation (STI), according to experts. A press release issued by the ECA stated experts at the Ninth African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development have emphasized the crucial role of STI as a key driver and enabler for ensuring economic growth, improving well-being, mitigating the effects of climate change, and safeguarding the environment. They also underscored the need to strengthen national and regional STI ecosystems by fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and investing in research and development. By doing so, the experts said that Africa can harness the potential of STI to accelerate its socio-economic progress and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and the African Union's Agenda by 2063. The session, held on 2 March 2023, builds on the recommendations of the Fifth African Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum, which accentuates the central role of STI and digitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for the necessary infrastructures for the development of STI, plans, and policies that are action-oriented towards strengthening its full implantation. The experts highlighted that despite advances in STI, significant gaps remain in bridging the scientific and technological divide between developed countries and Africa. The highly uneven global distribution of scientific capacity and access to knowledge threatens to derail the goal of leaving no one behind, which is the central and transformative promise of Agenda 2030. “We need a clear political will from governments to ensure science, technology, and innovation is a reality. By doing so our education systems will be capacitated to deliver knowledge that is vital to solving Africa’s sustainability challenges,” Niger Higher Education and Research Minister Mamoudou Djibo said. The strategy includes the establishment of universities as centers for excellence and investments in education, technical competencies, and training in the fields of science, technology, research, and innovation. These initiatives are crucial in accelerating progress towards achieving global goals. However, in order to fully leverage the potential of STI, significant investments in research and development are required. National systems also need to be strengthened, Namibia Information and Communication Technologies Deputy Minister Emma Theophilus, stated adding that “strengthening our national systems for STI is a key game changer for rapid structural transformation in Africa. Leveraging the digital transformation can achieve a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive recovery.” Emerging evidence suggests that an STI and digital Africa can be a springboard to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and fulfill the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
Feature Article
Quality Legal Education for Promotion of Justice in Ethiopia
Sep 24, 2023 130
BY SOLOMON DIBABA The Addis Ababa University School Law commemorated its Alumnae Convention and 60th Anniversary of its founding in the presence of government higher officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and various institutions on the 23rd of September 2023. Established on 23rd September 1963, Addis Ababa University school of Law is the oldest law school in Ethiopia, pioneering in legal education in both undergraduate and graduate levels. The Law School was established with a mission to produce competent, ethical and responsible profession who can actively contribute towards the prevalence of the rule of law, equality, human rights, democracy, social justice, tolerance and development. The basis for the establishment of the Faculty of Law was laid down by the momentous decision to codify the laws of Ethiopia gave rise to the need of trained lawyers who could understand, interpret, and apply them.   Speaking on the convocation of the former Haile Selassie I University in 1961, the late Emperor Haile Selassie said, “We would ask for the immediate founding of a Faculty of law where our own students may be trained to enter the legal profession. Our empire has need, its government and its commerce for well-educated lawyers and particularly for those who have been trained in their own university, in their own codes and customs.”   The author of this article recalls that the completion of the codification of the laws of the country from 1951-1952 and the consequent issuance of the 1954 Revised Constitution backed up the establishment of such a school for training qualified legal experts. The writer notes that for 40 years out of 60 Addis Ababa University Faculty of Law was the only higher institute for training legal professionals in the country.   Over the last several decades the Law School was engaged in its flagship publication, Journal of Ethiopian Law. Nonetheless, the School was also publishing thematic research publications including Ethiopian Constitutional and Public Law, Ethiopian Civil and Commercial Law series and international law research papers on major contemporary local and global policy and legal issues are debated on regular annual conferences.   As part of its legal social services, the School is running 6 legal aid centers to provide general free legal services to local community members. Out of the 6 one center is reportedly dedicated to providing free legal services for refugees and asylum seekers.   Addis Ababa University School of Law Library established in 1964 boasts one of the finest collections of over 30,000 periodicals, reference books, over 10,000 e-books on law journals and dissertations. To date, the School of Law has graduated more than 6000 highly skilled legal professions who are currently serving in various government institutions.   Over the last several years the author recalls that members of the Law School have been participating in the legal reform programs the government undertaken. The professionals and scholars of the Law School are also networking with Justice and Legal Systems Institute. As stated by several speakers on the occasion, the author is of the opinion that the administrative autonomy granted to the Addis Ababa University could be exploited by the School of Law to further promote the prevalence of quality and practical legal education in the university.   The celebration of the 60th anniversary of the School of Law is of significant importance at a time when Addis Ababa University granted its autonomy very recently. The autonomy status is also crucial in accelerating the growth and development of the school in its aspiration to become a preeminent center of excellence for legal education and scholarship in the changing global, regional and national order, he noted.   The Addis Ababa University Law School can also serve as a unique center for the improvement of legal education in other public universities across the country by establishing projects that are geared towards building the capacity of the legal schools in these universities.   The Law School can assist in developing some kind of public legal education program in cooperation with CSOs and professional associations in the country. This is important because a huge gap is being observed in public adherence to the rule of law, conception of their constitutional rights and obligations as citizens.   The Law School provides lectures and seminars in English and new students are on several occasions challenged by their inability to comprehend legal concepts in their proper context. The author holds the opinion that legalistic English needs to be taught as a full course particularly for under graduate students who may also need extensive tutorial classes. This could be supplemented with practical knowledge with orientations on the practical legal technical application of the laws of the country at the various levels of courts of law.   The author would also like to stress on the growing significance of conducting researches on important legal issues pertaining to the protection of the environment, natural resources of the country, cyber-attacks, computer crimes and other crimes related to the modernization of the socio-economic development of the country.    
Ituu Tribe of Ethiopia: Culture and Social Values
Sep 14, 2023 1359
BY BIZUAYEHU BOGALE The Ituu tribe in Ethiopia is a pastoralist community in West Hararge Zone of Oromia with tantalizing culture and social values. Let me take you for an imaginary trek to the Ituu tribe which is one of the tribes in Western Harergie Zone of Oromia region with the most exotic cultures and social values. The Ituu are predominately pastoralists who roam from place to place in search of better pasture and water for their cattle. They are akin to the Kereyu tribes of Oromia region who live in the Upper Awash Valley of the Great Rift Valley which bisects the Eastern and southern part of Ethiopia. The fact that the Ituu live in the adjacent neighboring areas of Gumbi Bordede and Anchar districts sharing common border around Awash River have made them one of the stronger tribes in the area. Nowadays, Ituu whose livelihood is dependent on livestock rearing are mostly settled in Anchar,Gumbi Bordede and Oda bultum districts of West Hararge Zone at the Eastern flank of Ethiopia. Ituu households who own caravans of camels, cattle and goats are well respected and revered by the members the community and are regarded as local officials. As part of protecting the rights of poor pastoralists with few herds of cattle, and to ensure that they do not feel inferior or demoralized in the face of horde of livestock from well to do families, their cattle are made to graze together with those owned by rich families. In the seasons of food stress, they spend bad days together by lending each other cows for milk with their calves. On the other hand, Ituu are known for their massive gofere (long curly hair soaked in butter). Their traditional dresses also make them unique. They dress like hunters, a turban underneath, a white cotton "gabi" on top and fasten traditional short swords with sharp edges known locally as giles on their waists. During the wedding, the groom gives cattle as dowry. After marriage ceremony; parents, brothers, uncles and other kith and kin of the groom give him cattle as gifts. On her wedding day, the bride gets a thin stick called Sinke as a special gift from her family. It symbolizes that “the bride has become worthy and respected woman who can manage her home". When we come to their food habit, a porridge made of barley is a special dish for the guest of honor and camel milk is served with porridge for drinking.
Ethiopian News Agency
2023