Ethiopia effectuating practical response to climate change – MoPD

Addis Ababa, July 25, 2023 (FBC) – The Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Aseffa, said that Ethiopia is applying a practical response to climate change by associating environmental protection with food security.

The Minister said this at the United Nations Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (UN Food Systems Summit +2), being held from 24 to 26 July 2023 in Rome, Italy.

Fitsum mentioned that climate change is one of the biggest challenges in the world, adding that it is a major constraint to ensure food security and food systems.

She stated that the steps taken by Ethiopia in this regard are exemplary, mentioning the works her country accomplished under the Green Legacy initiative in the last five years.

Recall that Ethiopian, spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy, has planted a staggering 566, 971, 6000 seedlings nationwide in 12 hours on July 17, 2023, surpassing the country’s own record which was achieved last year.

In addition to planting trees, Ethiopia’s efforts to ensure food security by planting fruit seedlings on a large scale is an example for others, the Minister said.

Minister Fitsum recalled that Ethiopia has become the leading avocado producer in Africa.

She stated that Ethiopia reflected its strong stance on food systems and food security as well as climate action and shared its experience at the United Nations Food Systems Summit +2 in Rome.

It is to be recalled that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), alongside his delegation, is attending the UN Food Systems Summit +2 in Rome. In his remarks at the Summit, Prime Minister Abiy underlined that a new and robust agricultural global financing model is essential for food security, job creation and economic growth. “This is a key point I emphasized during the UN Food Systems Summit +2.”

“In Ethiopia, beyond policies and strategies, we have been actively implementing numerous initiatives with the overarching goals of enhancing agricultural resilience, ensuring food self-sufficiency, and combating climate change,” said the Prime Minister.

It is noted that the 2023 UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment will serve as the first global follow-up to the 2021 Food Systems Summit, where individuals and countries committed to accelerate and deepen the transformative power of food systems, for the full realization of all 17 SDGs. The high-level meeting aims to provide opportunities for countries to report on progress made at the national level and on their contributions to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – despite a current global context that has substantially changed.

The Summit is being hosted by Italy, in collaboration with the Rome-based UN Agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP), the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the wider UN system.