African leaders need to think digital always, especially now as the continent continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, participants attending the African World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Implementation Meeting on COVID-19 urged.

The participants stated that building a digital future is crucial if the continent is to become globally competitive, survive and claim the 21st century, according to a press release issued on Monday by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

They have also underlined the need for African countries to implement the African Union Commission’s comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy.

The main objective of the strategy is to serve as a frame of reference in order to achieve the common vision of creating an integrated and inclusive digital society and economy in Africa, it was indicated.

The strategy builds on existing initiatives and frameworks such as the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) to support the development of a Digital Single Market (DSM) for Africa, the press release added.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Director for Africa, Andrew Rugege, said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has shown the practicality of an information society in combating not only this but other pandemic and crises as well.

“Organizations, governments, private sector, and even individuals are trying to find ways of using ICT to detect, manage and minimize the impact of COVID-19,” he added.

Director of the Technology, Climate Change, and Natural Resources Management Division at the ECA, Jean-Paul Adam said  ICTs  are crucial  to implement the SDGs however, he underscored that “ We can never meet the 2030 target if we do not urgently address the issue of connectivity across the continent.”

Source: ENA

The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, received the donation in a handover ceremony held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa today.

Present at the event were also Gedu Andargachew, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Lia Tadesse, Minister of health.

Dr. Workneh on the occasion said the donation will contribute its share in reducing the vulnerability of health workers and deaths from the coronavirus.

The donated materials will be mainly used to protect internally displaced persons (IDPs), migrants, and refugees from the virus.

The COVID19 equipment and supplies donated by the Union include 3.5 million surgical masks, 24 ambulances, 8 mobile laboratories and 70,000 testing kits.

The medical supplies will be distributed to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda.

Source: FBC

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed affirmed that Ethiopia will realize unwavering success involving immense potentials of the youth he described as “Architects of the Future”.

The premier underlined that Ethiopia’s Prosperity journey gives emphasis on the creation of skilled and competent leaders besides bringing about concrete changes.

Prospective leaders who stick to accomplish their mission and leave their legacy to the generation are as masterminds of Ethiopia’s better future, the premier stressed.

Citizens who follow a holistic approach rather than focusing on individual affairs and generate solutions to national problems are assets of the country, the premier noted.

The youths who always score triumphant results in their careers downplaying all the ups and downs are architects of the destiny of Ethiopia, the Prime Minister underscored.

The premier expressed the conviction that Ethiopia will certainly realize its unwavering success getting in gear immense potentials of the youth.

Source: FBC

Ethiopia has become the second largest flower exporter in Africa, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

The nation had done well in exporting cut flowers during the 2019-20 fiscal year, next to neighbouring Kenya, MoA’s Horticulture State Minister Wondale Habtamu told EPA.

Ethiopia is also ranked as the 5th largest non-EU cut flower exporter to the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Norway, Sweden, UK, the Middle East, and other EU countries, he added.

In a related development, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said the Netherlands is the top destination for Ethiopia exports, followed by the US, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.

The country exported more than $320,162 worth products in the concluded fiscal year, which ended on July 7.

Source: FBC

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed held discussion with Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum today.

The Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy arrived in Khartoum this morning for an official working visit.

The visit comes at the heels of the one-year anniversary of the signing of Sudan’s constitutional declaration according to a statement issued by the office of the Prime Minister.

During the discussion, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy congratulated the Sudanese government for the millstones achieved since then and for the current on-going political discussions.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that the fate of both countries is intertwined and rooted in longstanding historic and strategic relations.

He reiterated “we are one people, one family,” highlighting that any issues, including in relation to GERD and borders, can be addressed amicably through continued and sustained good-faith discussion.

Sudan’s Prime Minister for his part emphasized the complementary nature of both countries which compels them to work together for mutual benefits.

With strengthened collaborations on the economic front, Ethiopia and Sudan’s economies can be a catalyst for progress in the Horn region and Africa, he said.

Source: FBC

The annual meeting of senior officials, ambassadors, and Consul Generals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia kicked off today (August 24) under the theme: “Diplomatic Mission to National Prosperity,” in Bishoftu town.
In delivering an opening speech, H.E. Gedu Andargachew noted the Ministry’s commitment to engage in activities that helped forge durable peace and establish strong economic ties in the Horn of Africa.
The Ministry has created new strategic partnerships that help the country get support to the ongoing economic and political reform, Minister Gedu added.
Mr. Gedu further elaborated on the Ministry’s crucial role in mobilizing diplomatic support and creating public awareness regarding the ongoing negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
He expressed his hope that the deliberations of the meeting will help the Ministry to further strengthen the spectacular results registered in the current fiscal year in economic diplomacy and peacebuilding activities.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry is compelled to hold this face-to-face meeting taking the difficulties of holding a teleconference meeting in innumerable time zones, the minister added.
In addition to evaluating the Ministry’s performance in the current fiscal year, participants are expected to deliberate the basics of the “medemer” philosophy in light of the Foreign Policy of the country and engage in training sessions on Strategic Leadership and Balanced Score Card.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said the annual meeting of Ethiopian ambassadors and consuls will start next Monday, August 24, 2020.

Ambassador Dina Mufti, Spokesperson of MoFA, told journalists today that the meeting will take place for 15 days in Bishoftu town, Oromia regional state.

According to the Spokesperson, the meeting will review the performance of the overseas missions and deliberate on the revised foreign relations policy of the county.

The two-week meeting also includes discussion on MoFA’s 2020/21, 5 and 10 years perspective plans as well as training on various national policies, he said.

As far as citizen-centered diplomacy is concerned, Ambassador Dina said travel documents have been prepared for 180 Ethiopians who applied to return home from Beirut.

He further indicated that works are underway in collaboration with relevant international agencies to repatriate 1,200 Ethiopian from Yemen.

Source : FBC

H.E Ambassador Hirut Zemene conferred with members of Sebeka Gubae in Brussels Debre Kidus Kidanemhiret and Antwerp Teklehaymanot churches in Belgium on August 19, 2020.

In the introductory meeting, Ambassador Hirut appreciated them for their support and contributions towards the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and for tackling the challenges of COVID 19 and called for their continued support.

Both sides exchanged information on various issues and promised to strengthen the link between the Embassy and the churches in Belgium.

Ambassador Hirut is conducting an introductory meeting with various Ethiopian religious, professional and regional associations of Ethiopia.