Addis Ababa, January 14, 2025 (FMC) – Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Temesgen Truneh has called for concerted efforts and collaboration to properly harness soil resources for prosperity by expanding basin development works in the country.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the significance of collaboration to utilize such assets for national growth aspiration in a social media post after launching the National Movement for Integrated Basin Development initiative at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa this morning. A national symposium on Ethiopia’s experience on land restoration is also being held under the theme “Soil Resources for National Prosperity”.
The Event brought together among others ministers, regional chief administrators, delegates of multilateral organizations, experts, stakeholders, farmers, and international development partners.
On the occasion, DPM Temesgen noted that the launch of the National Movement for Integrated Basin Development initiative underscores government’s commitment to achieving sustainable natural resource development through impactful actions\.
“To reach our ambitious goals, we have engaged over 14 million citizens annually in large-scale watershed development activities. These efforts are transforming our landscape and driving us closer to building a climate-resilient economy,” he indicated.
As a result, the nation has witnessed remarkable progress: degraded plains are recovering, land degradation has decreased, and forest cover has increased to 23.6 percent, the Deputy Premier stated.
According to him, Ethiopian farmers are reaping the benefits of watershed protection through diverse activities such as beekeeping, animal husbandry, irrigation, and fruit cultivation. This success is a testament to the collective efforts of the government, professionals, communities, and partners.
Looking ahead, Mr. Temesgen extended his call to everyone to continue their dedication to conserving natural resources and to support watershed development across 4.1 million hectares this year. He added, “Together, we can build a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”