DPM & FM Stresses Need for Collective Action toward Climate Change

Addis Ababa, August 17/2023 (ENA) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen called on the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) to reinforce collective action toward climate change.

A five day 9th ordinary session of AMCEN has been underway in Addis Ababa since 14th August 2023.
 
In his keynote address to the conference, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister stated that the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment  is a good platform to come together to tackle  the climate change impacts which have resulted in drought and flood in various  African countries.
 
According to him, these climate-induced effects also hamper food security and sustainable development in the countries of African continent.
 
The need to work and stand together for Africans with international partners towards mitigation of  climate change is mandatory, Demeke stressed.
 
On its part, Ethiopia has developed a comprehensive policy to mitigate climate change including the Green Legacy initiative and National Determined Contribution (NDC).

 
Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa said today's gathering is a manifestation of Africa's determination to combat challenges that are affecting the region.
 
Biodiversity loss is alarmingly increasing, and toxic chemicals are the problem that severely affect the continent, Fitsum pointed out.
 
In this regard, the minister expressed Ethiopia’s commitment to fight the impact of climate change through various engagements.
 
The country has ratified various multilateral agreements on climate change and is doing it best to discharge its responsibility, Fisum said and highlighted the importance of the Green Legacy initiative that was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
 
She stated that remarkable progress has been gained since the implementation of the Green Legacy Initiative in reducing carbon emission and land degradation.
 
Ethiopia has also been exerting a maximum effort to expand the initiative to neighboring countries, she indicated.
 
The  nineteenth session of AMCEN is aimed at  strengthening  collaboration among the various institutions and enhancing implementation of regional and global environmental frameworks in order to address the environmental challenges facing the continent.