Addis Ababa, September 7, 2024 (FBC) – Ambassador designate of Denmark to Ethiopia, Sune Krogstrup, during an exclusively interview with Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC), stated that his country is in the process of unveiling the next country program to Ethiopia.
“Fortunately, the launch of the next country program for Ethiopia aligns with the announcement of the Danish new Africa strategy which aims to foster relations with countries of the continent in multifaceted areas of cooperation,” he noted.
The country program aims to foster Denmark’s bilateral relationship and cooperation with Ethiopia in multiple sectors, the Ambassador designate said.
Denmark’s ongoing projects in Ethiopia focus on agriculture, climate change, social safety net, and good governance, according to the Ambassador designate, who said the new country program will expand areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The overall vision for Denmark’s country program in Ethiopia for the period 2025-2029 is to help ensure sustainable peace and stability, resilience, and green development in Ethiopia.
Building on positive results from its ongoing country program, Denmark furthermore plans to scale up engagement in forest conservation and reforestation activities in Ethiopia to contribute to climate adaptation, protection of biodiversity, reduction of CO2 emission and social and economic development for local communities, he explained.
Krogstrup remarked, “Denmark attaches great importance to its cooperation with Ethiopia on climate change, energy, water, environmental protection and forestry sectors, and we are ready to take this partnership to the next level.”
“We have supported sustainable practices within the forestry sector based on our country program. This is an area where I expect to see more cooperation between the two countries in the years to come.”
“I believe that the agriculture is the key contributor to the country’s economy,” he said, reaffirming Denmark’s committed to support the country in promoting climate smart agriculture practices.
Denmark will continue engaging in transforming the agriculture sector with a particular focus on decent jobs, sustainable food systems and green jobs, he pointed out.
He lauded Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative as a successful solution to climate change. He also noted that Ethiopia has been making progress in green energy which he said another key area for further cooperation.
The GLI also enabled Ethiopia to achieve remarkable results in forestry development sector, he remarked.
“I believe that Ethiopia has managed to grow its forest coverage from 17 percent in 2019 when the green legacy initiative was launch to 23.6 percent in 2023. This is a remarkable achievement,” he underscored, pledging enhanced collaboration.
“From Denmark’s side, we have supported sustainable forestry in the area around Bonga in South West Ethiopia Regioni. I’m very pleased to see the progress that we’ve been able to achieve in that area. We have been able to protect many hectares of forests there,” he said.
“Through our project in Bonga, we have managed to create jobs for the local community in the forestry sector, and promote sustainable use of land in forested areas,” he indicated.
Denmark has contributed its part for the significant results in the green transition in Ethiopia over the past years, he pointed out.
Regarding capacity building cooperation in the agriculture sector, the Ambassador designate remarked, “Danida Fellowship Center Fellowship Center is offering courses in climate change, digital transformation and food production. We’ve seen a number of, Ethiopian professionals attend these courses, and we will continue the support.”
He also affirmed Denmark’s commitment to enhance cultural and people to people ties with Ethiopia. He said, “This leads to a better understanding between our two nations, and serve as a vehicle for more economic cooperation.”
Krogstrup also asserted that his country is ready to enhance trade and investment ties with Ethiopia. “There’s a huge potential to develop this further,” he noted.
He also announced Denmark’s plan to intensify cooperation with Ethiopia in the education sector, particularly in the areas of exchange of students and teachers of higher institutions, university-to-university cooperation in areas of research and experience sharing.
He also appreciated Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms, calling this instrumental in attracting more foreign investments to the country and stimulating economic growth in the nation.
“A liberalized economy attracts more companies from abroad, builds investor confidence, enhances market access, facilitates technology transfer and job creation,” he said.
Denmark is, one of the most digitized countries in the whole world, he pointed out, affirming his country’s commitment to share its best experiences in this area to support Ethiopia’s efforts to realize a digital economy.
Denmark will continue to explore opportunities and support private sector engagement in this regard, he said.
“We are also ready to facilitate student and professionals exchange program in various fields that would help stimulate digital transformation in the country,” he added.
The Ambassador designate also commended government’s initiatives to transform the capital, Addis Ababa. “I have been away from Ethiopia for three years. I have just returned to Addis recently. Now, I have realized that the image of Addis has been completely transformed. It’s quite impressive to see this remarkable changes taking place in Addis Ababa,”
“I see that the government has undertaken a range of activities that are resulted in improvement of the infrastructure, creation of standard roads, expansion of recreational centers and green open areas, and realization of more livable neighborhoods for the residents of the capital,” the Ambassador designate added.
Ambassador designate Sune Krogstrup further pledged to contribute his part in taking the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Denmark to the next level.