High Level Development Forum Commits to Establishing Renewed Partnership with Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, March 14/2024 (ENA) The high level development forum meeting which took place in Addis Ababa today has underlined its commitment to establishing a renewed partnership to strengthen a democratic and peaceful Ethiopia that is on a path towards prosperity.

In a communique the 2024 high-level development forum issued today, it welcomed the leadership demonstrated by the Ethiopian Government working with other stakeholders in implementing the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) as well as enabling further progress towards an inclusive National Dialogue for a lasting peace.

It also reaffirmed the strong commitment by all parties to supporting Ethiopia’s efforts towards economic recovery, growth, and prosperity to the benefit of all Ethiopians. 

The participants also stated that they recognize peace dividends must be based on, and stem from, the significant economic, social, political, and development gains already achieved by Ethiopia and be based on an inclusive implementation of CoHA with meaningful participation of women and youth, as well as ethnic, religious, and other minorities.

In connection with this, the communique underscored the importance of the Government of Ethiopia’s efforts, with the support of the international community, to fulfilling its commitment to peace, social and economic development, human rights and prosperity. 

Furthermore, the participants have collectively recognized the challenges posed by shocks triggered by the compounding effects of climate change, conflict, COVID-19 pandemic and global economic downturn and expressed continued readiness and commitment to support the Government of Ethiopia in its effort to ensure climate resilience as well as inclusive and sustainable development in all its dimensions.

The meeting also welcomed the progress made in implementing the Home Grown Economic Reform Agenda and the Ten-Year Development Plan, facilitating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Moreover, it acknowledged the importance of the on-going discussions with the IMF, World Bank and G20 Credit Committee, to support a major package of economic reform with substantial debt relief and adequate external financing. 

"We are committed to supporting the implementation of the reforms and the adequate financing, which will be essential for restoring favorable macroeconomic conditions for the Ten-Year Development Plan and HGER as well as making an important contribution to sustaining peace," the communique read.

According to the communique, the participants also recognized the urgent and growing need for humanitarian assistance to avert a serious humanitarian catastrophe and noted that humanitarian aid is needed now more than ever. 

They, therefore, called on sustained and predictable financial flows from all parties to support the delivery of life-saving aid and committed to transparent, accountable, and protected delivery of the required assistance to all vulnerable groups in the country in accordance with international principles and standards. 

The communique finally welcomed the continued and sustained commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to host refugees from neighboring countries and meet the needs of communities affected by internal displacement. 

The 2024 High Level Development Forum meeting was co-hosted by the Government of Ethiopia and the Development Partners Group, with the participation of officials from federal ministries and agencies, regional states, ambassadors, heads of development cooperation agencies as well as representatives from international organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations.