Ethiopia expressed its strong commitment towards strengthening its role on climate change at the Committee of African Heads of State on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) meeting held today (January 31) on the sidelines of the 28th AU Summit.
Ethiopia noted its readiness to work on the speedy implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 21) entered into force in November 2016.
The country has dedicated particular emphasis on mitigation adaptation, climate financing, capacity building and transfer of
technology. It was noted, as Ethiopia is among the most vulnerable countries to the negative consequences of climate change, it is playing a big role in Climate Vulnerable Forum which aims to increase the presence and visibility of member states at international, regional and domestic levels.
It was also made clear that Ethiopia strongly advocates the importance of taking urgent actions to address the negative effects of climate change. On the occasion, two new initiatives that would see a “unified Africa” diversify its sources of funding to confront climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions were adopted.
Tabled by the outgoing Coordinator of CAHOSCC, President Abdelfetah El Sisi, the adoption of the initiatives was praised as a big step in creating ownership under the African Union framework. The two initiatives are African Adaptation Initiative (AAI) and African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI).
Given Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world, with Africa already experiencing some of the most severe impacts, the continent’s leaders have proactively responded with the establishment of the Committee of Africa Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to influence global negotiations.
French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Frederic Bontems upon meeting with State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Aklilu Hailemichael on 20 January 30, 2017 underscored that it was imperative to have Ethiopia on board on various international issues. The Ambassador added that Ethiopia’s role in promoting regional peace and stability is inimitable.
The two sides discussed at length on bilateral and regional as well as international issues of mutual interest. State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Aklilu Hailmichael highlighted the strong and longstanding relations between Ethiopia and France and stressed the importance of further strengthening and cementing this outstanding relationship.
The State Minister has also expressed his deepest gratitude for the support France has shown to Ethiopia’s bid for a non-membership at the United Nations Security Council.
Ambassador Frederic Bontems has also commended the strong partnership between the two countries and avowed to exert every effort to further strengthen and nurture the already strong bilateral relations.
The two sides also agreed to communicate on the follow up of the Final Declaration of the Bamako France- Africa Summit for further
partnership in the area of peace and emergency.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres commended Ethiopia’s positive role in the maintenance of peace and security in the Horn of Africa region; also hailed the country’s exemplary role in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighboring countries.
The Secretary-General who met with Prime Minister Hailemariam on 29 January 2017 in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the 28th African Union Summit said the fact that Ethiopia is a peaceful and stable nation offers hope for the efforts of promoting peace and security in the region.
Gutteres underlined that Ethiopia’s efforts in maintaining peace and stability, particularly in South Sudan, Somalia, the IGAD region as well as in the African continent has been significantly useful.
The Secretary-General also hailed Ethiopia for upholding an open-door policy for refugees, whom he said are here because the peace and stability in Ethiopia has been the source of their guarantee.
Prime Minister Hailemariam expressed his hope that the UN would continue to support Ethiopia’s efforts of in the maintenance of peace and security in the sub-region and beyond.
Secretary-General Gutteres on his part reassured the Premier that the UN remains committed to extend support in such score.
In a meeting held between Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu and Koen Vervaeke, Managing Director for East Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS) on Friday (January 28, 2017), the two sides affirmed the need to forge strategic engagements to further bolster long standing ties. The Managing Director, Koen Vervaeke, mentioning the Strategic Engagement signed on June, 2016 between the two sides called for more dialogues for effective implementation. Mr. Koen underlined the need to work closely so as to best exploit the 5th Summit is scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on 28-29 November 2017. He noted that the Africa-EU Partnership is adapting to the changing realities through constant formal dialogue between African and European counterparts at different levels. EU-Africa Summits of Heads of States and Governments take place every three years alternatively in Africa and Europe. These Summits take stock of the progress made in the implementation of commitments made and provide political guidance for further work. On the Occasion, Mr Koen praised the many bold moves taken by the government of Ethiopia in addressing the problems in some parts of Oromia and Amhara Regional States some few months ago.
Dr. Workneh said, “We greatly value the notable relationship we have with the European Union.” Regarding the government’s effort to put in place necessary conditions to bring the country to normalcy and tranquility, the Foreign Minister noted that along with the positive effect garnered from the State of Emergency the deep reforms would surely have far reaching positive socio-political and economic changes on the wider public. He mentioned the government’s solid commitment to address legitimate grievances of different segments of the society, particularly the deep seated problems within the youth, unemployment. Dr. Workneh pointed out the recent endeavor by the government in preparing inclusive dialogues with different political parties and mentioned innovative schemes and upgraded codes of ethics mapped out by the government to incorporate and encourage new political parties to join the political field.
The two sides also discussed on pressing regional issues giving particular emphasis on the election in Somalia. Dr. Workneh would make his trip to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium making his first trip to Europe as a Foreign Minister since he assumed power in October.
Foreign Minister, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu held bilateral meeting with Ms. Karen Elleman, Minister for Equal Opportunities and Nordic Cooperation of Denmark and Special Representative for the Danish Candidature for the UN Human Rights Council 2019-21 in Addis Ababa on the side lines of the 30th Ordinary session of the Executive Council of the Africa Union on Thursday 26 January 2017.
On the meeting, Dr. Workneh said that Ethiopia and Denmark have been enjoying multifaceted bilateral relations. The Minister pointed out that Ethiopia has been achieved tremendous results in the areas of development, democratization and peace building. Dr. Workneh stressed that Ethiopia has high interest to work with Denmark in the areas of technology transfer, knowledge and experience sharing in all areas of cooperation.
Karen Elleman, Minister for Equal Opportunities and Nordic Cooperation of Denmark appreciated Ethiopia’s efforts to ensure development, democracy, gender equality and peace in the country.
Both Ministers agreed to enhance bilateral relations in the areas of development, climate change, green economy, migration and refugee management.
On 20 December 2016, the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels interviewed Mr Koen Doens, Director at the European Commission’s International Development Department, Southern, Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean. During the discussion, Mr Koen Doens assessed the 40-year old EU-Ethiopia relationship, its pillars and challenges, as well as current policy frameworks such as the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. Finally, he gave his views on the future of the ACP-EU relations.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Aklilu Hailemikael met with Ambassador Mtjaz Sinkovec, non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Ethiopia, in his office on 26 January 2017, wherein the two sides agreed to establish diplomatic relations.
During the discussion, Dr. Aklilu said Ethiopia looks forward to establishing diplomatic relations with Slovenia and work together on exchange of investment, technology transfer and on common global agendas such as migration and youth employment.
Ambassador Mtjaz Sinkovec on his part noted that Slovenia is keen to establish diplomatic relation with Ethiopia, adding that his country would share its experience in areas of bee-keeping technology, medicine as well as agro processing.
The Ambassador also invited Ethiopia to take part in the annual Slovania-Africa Day which will be held in May, 2017.
The two sides have agreed to start political dialogue in a bid to establish diplomatic relations.
The Republic of Slovenia had been part of the former Republic of Yugoslavia until it became an independent sovereign state in 1991. Slovenia is currently a member of the European Union.
The Ethiopian Embassy, together with Ethiopian Airlines and five Tour Operators from Ethiopia will take part in the Brussels Holiday Fair Salon des Vacances on a beautifully-constructed stand from the 2nd to the 5th of February 2017.
On Saturday 4th of February, a cultural performance will be presented. Coffee ceremonies will take place throughout the fair. You are most welcome to grab your Ethiopian coffee cup and meet the five Ethiopian Tour Operators:
KARIBU ETHIOPIA TOUR
OFF-TRACK ETHIOPIA TOUR & TRAVEL
TEMA TOUR ETHIOPIA
VAST ETHIOPIA TOUR
WALK IN ETHIOPIA
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu conferred with his Estonian counterpart, Sven Mikser on the sidelines of the 33th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council meeting of the African Union today (January 25, 2016).
On the discussion, Dr. Workineh thanked his counterpart for supporting Ethiopia on its bid to the Non-Permanent membership of UNSC and also expressed his country’s readiness to further strengthen its bilateral relations with the Republic of Estonia.
Mr. Sven Mikser, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Estonia, on his part reiterated his country’s commitment to strengthen its bilateral relations with Ethiopia focusing on digital economy and e-governance, sectors Estonia is well experienced with.
The two sides further agreed to work together over issues of dealing with migration, youth empowerment, capacity building and information technology. They have also avowed to work closely on issues of mutual concern across various multilateral fora.
Ethiopian FM Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu with Estonian FM Sven Mikser
This article was originally published in the 5th issue (October 2016) of The Ethiopian Messenger, the quarterly magazine of the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels
«There was a time where Ethiopians showed their greatness by constructing the historical obelisks and great castles in the ancient and medieval periods. Now in this age, the new generation has decided to leave its mark on Ethiopian history. Unlike the previous historical monuments, obelisks and castles, GERD is a multi-purpose project. It is a project that mobilized almost all sections of the society. It is a dam that created a new image to the new Ethiopia. It is a project that reversed the pessimistic view of “they can’t do it” philosophy into “they can!”»
These words (among other parts of this text from “GERD: Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ landmark”, The Ethiopian Herald, 15 November 2016) express what the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) represents in the mind of Ethiopians and the importance the project has for the development of the country. The recent progresses of the constructions work can be considered as important achievements for the country on its path to development.
The GERD Project General Manager, Engineer Semegnew Bekele said on 17th of November 2016 that the construction of the dam is well in progress as it is backed by unreserved endeavor of the greater public. Currently, well over 11,000 workers are toiling in three shifts under the scorching hills of Guba in Benishangul Gumuz State, where the GERD is located.
Engineer Semegnew Bekele further assured that close to 60 percent of the construction has been finalized so far, from just over 40 percent in April 2016. Moreover, preparations are well underway to generate 750 MW of electricity from two turbines which are part of the construction targeted to be launched soon.
Earlier in October, Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC), the main contractor of the Rrenaissance dam on divisions of the electromechanical and hydraulic steel structure, had announced that two of the 375 MW turbines of the dam are on the final phase of installation to begin early power generation.
The project has also seen finalization of construction of 400 and 500 KV power transmission lines traversing from the GERD all the way to World Bank-supported Beles project and Addis Ababa main power reservoir. These lines are readied to convey GERD-generated power to targeted destinations and repositories.
Taking into account the importance of exploiting its natural resources to alleviate poverty, Ethiopia started construction of the GERD in 2011. However, lower riparian countries, particularly Egypt, have expressed their concerns on the project and its impact on the water share of Egypt.
In the contrary, Ethiopia is assuring its stance adamantly that the GERD is being constructed for the sake of electric power generation only to benefit not only the national development, but also accelerate the economic integration of the region.
Upon finalization, the project will accelerate regional integration through cross-border electrification activities and Sudan and Egypt may benefit from the supply of cheap electricity as Ethiopia may not consume all the energy that would be generated. Moreover, the dam can help stop the silting that is causing considerable problems in Egypt and Sudan’s dams by rehabilitating the natural environment of the upper Nile Basin. The silt from Blue Nile is building up in Egypt’s Aswan dam and in a couple of smaller dams in Sudan. If the run-off is not controlled by the GERD, the silting will cripple all these dams. The amount of the debris deposited by the Nile in Sudan and Egypt is estimated at 110 million tons annually.
With 6,000 megawatts, the dam will be the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa at its completion forecasted for 2017.
On Saturday 17 December 2016, the Gibe III hydroelectric dam, which is located 470 km south west of Addis Ababa, was inaugurated after its full completion. It was built for a total of EUR 1.5 billion, 40 percent of which was covered by the government of Ethiopia, the rest by a loan obtained from the China Exim Bank. The construction of the dam was carried out by the Italian Salini Construction Private Ltd., a company which is also currently working on the GERD’s construction.
With a height of 243 meters, 610 meters of length and with total storage capacity of 15 billion cubic meters, the dam has total installed capacity of 1,870 megawatts. It is believed that the inauguration of this dam will potentially resolve problems linked with power cuts in different parts of the country.
