Ethiopia Leads East Africa’s Push for Food Security, Climate Resilience: Ministry of Agriculture

Addis Ababa, November 10, 2025 (ENA) – The ministry of Agriculture emphasized that Ethiopia has stepped into a leadership role as East African nations launch an ambitious regional strategy aimed at transforming the region’s agricultural potential into lasting food security and climate resilience.

This is highlighted at the 19th Multidisciplinary Team Meeting, which is taking place from November 10 - 13, 2025 under the theme “Strengthening Partnership and Investment for Accelerated Agrifood System Transformation and Climate Resilience in the Eastern Africa Sub-region.”

Organized by FAO’s Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa, the meeting aims to address critical issues affecting agrifood systems in the region.  

The event brings together regional leaders and the Representation to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and underscored a collective commitment to turning innovative ideas into tangible benefits for millions across the region.

In his opening remarks, Meles Mekonnen, State Minister of Agriculture, stated Ethiopia’s recent agricultural achievements as a model for regional cooperation and development.

“This meeting is especially important as we celebrate the 80th birthday of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,” he said, recognizing FAO’s long-standing contribution to agricultural transformation.

Meles emphasized the importance of aligning national priorities with regional goals, noting that Ethiopia is focusing on scaling up irrigation, improving soil health, and promoting market-oriented commercial agriculture.

“Our advancements in wheat production and landscape restoration demonstrate what’s possible when we align policy, research, capacity development, partnerships, and farmer engagement toward a shared goal,” he underlined.

Echoing the urgency for collective action, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, lauded the region’s leadership and its growing global influence, referencing several major international conferences recently hosted in East Africa.

“Innovation without backing remains small-scale. Innovation combined with partnerships and resources leads to bigger impacts,” he stated, calling on member countries to integrate key initiatives into their national budgets and to explore new financing mechanisms for sustainable transformation.

FAO Ethiopia Representative Farayi Zimudzi highlighted the urgent situation, noting that despite the region’s potential, nearly three-quarters of people in Eastern Africa cannot afford healthy meals, and about one in three children under five suffer from stunted growth.

She emphasized the importance of digital agriculture and innovation to drive meaningful improvements in food systems. “We need to build partnerships and attract investments to create real change,” she said.

According to the representative, key priorities discussed included accelerating investments through the Hand-in-Hand framework, expanding land restoration and climate-smart agriculture, and strengthening regional supply chains by aligning with the AfCFTA, standardizing SPS measures, and improving market connectivity.