Addis Ababa, October 5, 2022 (FBC) – A thematic meeting that focuses on addressing strategies for human mobility in the context of climate change kicked off in Addis Ababa on Wednesday.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, regarded climate change as a “threat multiplier,” mentioning its continued role as the main driver of migration.
“In this regard, my country, Ethiopia, is taking concrete steps to mitigate the impacts of climate change on sustainable economic development.” We designed a Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy which aims at addressing challenges relating to climate change while pursuing sustainable economic growth.”
He shared Ethiopia’s experience, such as the planting of over 25 billion tree seedlings under the Green Legacy initiative, developing sources of renewable energy and identifying priorities that can increase production and productivity of cereals through small and large-scale irrigation development.
Mary Ayen Majok, First Deputy Speaker of the National Legislature of the Republic of South Sudan and the current chair of the Khartoum Process, expressed the resolve and conviction within the Khartoum-Process to collectively aspire for a safe, orderly, and regular migration that guarantees the rights of migrants who deserve protection and asylum instead of the existing irregular migration with its devastating catastrophes.
The Khartoum Process is a platform for political cooperation amongst the countries along the migration route between the Horn of Africa and Europe. It aims at establishing a continuous dialogue for enhanced cooperation on migration and mobility.
The meeting will be concluded after three days of workshops with panelists including national and international scholars and policymakers.