UN Food Systems Coordinator praises Ethiopia’s decisive steps to transform its food systems

Addis Ababa, January 16, 2025 (FMC) – Senior Program Coordinator at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, Dr. Khalid Eltaweel, stated that Ethiopia has been taking decisive steps to transform its food systems since the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit.

A three-day National Convergence Workshop on Climate Action (CA) and Ethiopian Food Systems Transformation & Nutrition (EFSTN) kicked off in Addis Ababa on Wednesday with the focus on integrating climate change risks into the country’s food systems transformation.

It is being held from 15th to 17 January 2025 at Skylight Hotel in the Ethiopian capital.

Organized in by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Ethiopian government, and the UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), the National Convergence initiative aims to deliver impact in governance, policy, and implementation.

In an exclusive interview with Fana Media Corporation, the Programme Coordinator shared his thoughts on Ethiopia’s commendable initiatives to advance the agricultural sector in the past few years.

Expressing his satisfaction in working closely with the government of Ethiopia in supporting the national journey to transform food systems to be more sustainable, equitable, and resilient, he stressed that convergence initiative is very important for the needs of Ethiopia.

The Programme Coordinator commended the Ethiopian government’s leadership and commitment in bringing two different sectors but two interconnected sectors which is food systems and nutrition and health.

He said the initiative needs inclusive approach that involves close engagement between the government, private sector, civil society, academia, and the youth.

Commending Ethiopia’s broader initiatives, Dr. Khalid said the cooperation between the Ethiopian government and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub is the start of a process. He said, “We are ready to capitalize on the UN missions in Ethiopia, including the resident coordinator, FAO, WFP, IFAD and UNDP to make sure that the work will continue beyond this workshop supporting the national effort to transform food systems and to achieve better food security.

According to him, having the right infrastructure, including connectivity, technology, water resources, and irrigation are prerequisite to support food system. “All the commendable efforts that are taking place now in Ethiopia and the African continent at large to make sure that food systems have the right conducive environment to ensure that smallholders are having access to the right inputs, fertilizers, and seeds that could be resistant to drought and salinity, and as well as access to financing.”

“So we work with very comprehensive approach to make sure that all these good initiatives are supported by the international community, by the UN system and by the ecosystem of support,” the Programme Coordinator noted.

Commenting on Ethiopia’s food transformation activities, Dr. Khalid said, “We see that Ethiopia is one of the pioneering countries in terms of putting forward a very comprehensive initiative which buttresses food system transformation.

He said the UN Food System Coordination Hub will showcase this achievement by Ethiopia during the stock-take moment and COP30 in Brazil, adding that his office sees this as a very good example of learning.

The African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Post Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) which was held in Uganda last week is very important moment in transforming agri-food systems in Africa.

He said such platforms play vital role in bringing about economic integration in Africa and said that the UN will continue to support such engagements.

The national workshop is said to be a platform to showcase Ethiopia’s efforts towards sustainable development, climate resilience, and food systems transformation.

The event is said to be an ideal platform for critical discussions, the identification of synergies, and the development of practical solutions for the country’s food systems and clirnate strategies.

It is learned that the Convergence Initiative, launched by the UN Deputy Secretary-General at COP28, drives the integration of food systems transformation and climate action for accelerated sustainable development.

Initiative bridges two global milestones: the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Accelerated Food Systems Transformation (UNFSS+2) and the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action. Together, these highlight the urgency of aligning food systems transformation with climate action to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement goals.

By linking food systems transformation pathways with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), the Convergence Initiative aims to drive synergetic action at national levels, ensuring countries can pursue both sustainable development and climate resilience. This alignment strengthens governance, policy frameworks, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, promoting cohesive actions that contribute to both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

By: Mesafint Brlie