Ethiopia Reaffirmed Readiness to Cooperate, Develop Together with Countries in Region 

Addis Ababa ,December 3/2023 (ENA)- Ethiopia has reaffirmed readiness to cooperate and develop together with countries in the region at the conference of Heads of States of Landlocked Developing Nations that was held on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference COP-28, in Dubai.

Finance Minister, Ahmed Shide has participated at  the conference of Heads of States of Landlocked Developing Nations representing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

At the conference, Ethiopia noted her position stating that landlocked countries are in double jeopardy from the challenges they face on developing their own ports and tackling the devastating effects of climate change, Ahmed added. 

The Minister said Ethiopia has confirmed her readiness to cooperate with concerned landlocked and other developing countries in the region on matters related to mutual development and access to sea. 

The Minister of Finance remarked that Ethiopia was able to aware the participants of the conference the fact that Ethiopia has huge economy. But lack of access to its own sea has posed a greater challenge that needs to be supported by partner countries and other countries across the world.

He noted in this regard that Ethiopia has strong desire to work in collaboration with countries in the region and international development partners on matters of access to sea.

Ahmed said that Ethiopia is ready and willing to cooperate with countries in the region and other international development partners in the spirit of good neighborliness on issues related to ownership and access to port services. 

Ethiopia’s access to Port of Djibouti is a good example of such cooperation, the minister added. 

He added that countries in the region need to consider Ethiopia’s firm stand on cooperating with these countries for mutual and sustained development.

The challenge of increased foreign debt is far more pronounced on those countries which are landlocked and this deserves due attention by all concerned, the Minister added.

Ahmed also said that Ethiopia had the opportunity at the conference to deliberate on the contributions that the country is making in promoting and developing renewable energy resources for the neighboring countries and that this contribution will further be enhanced upon the completion of GERD.

He also recalled that the participants of the Conference have resolved to connect their efforts on issues of acquisition to port services by establishing a Think Tank facility.