Addis Ababa, June 24, 2023 (FBC) – In press briefing, Minister of State for Government Communication Service, Selamawit Kassa has explained about the recent participation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the Summit for A New Global Financing Pact in Paris.
According to the State Minister, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has briefed participants of the Summit about the green development activities Ethiopia has been undertaking to tackle impacts of climate change, calling international financial institutions to support these efforts for better results.
Ethiopians have planted over 25 billion tree seedlings over the past four years and contributed to the global efforts to mitigate climate change, Selamawit stated.
She further indicated that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held discussions with leaders of several countries including France, Kenya and Saudi Arabia, UN Secretary General António Guterres, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga and officials of international financial institutions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern.
Saying that the Government is working hard to increase productivity of the agricultural sector, Selamawit disclosed that, during the Belg season, 2.6 ha of land has been covered with crop seed nationwide.
She added 11 million ha of land has been cultivated and made ready for the Meher season farming, of which 2.8 million ha has already been covered by crop seeds. The State Minister stated that 1.5 million MT of fertilizers has been purchased, and being distributed to farmers through cooperatives. Five more ships loaded with fertilizers reached Djibouti port, and the fertilizer will be transported to interior parts and distributed to farmers soon, the State Minister said.
The government is working to address the growing demand of fertilizer among the farmers and address some misconducts in the distribution process.
The State Minister further stated a joint technical committee consisting of government institutions and international partners has been established so as to address issues related to suspension of aid by WFP and USAID.
Selamawit reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensure rule of law and take all the necessary legal measures against parties involved in the mishandling of the aid delivery.
The joint committee has already started its business and working to provide the government and global partners with inputs of possible solution for the problem. Promising results have so far been gained since the committee went operational, the State Minister added.
Moreover, Selamawit stated that Addis Ababa has been finalizing to host a big Tourism Expo soon with a view to promote nation’s cultural, historical and natural attraction sites, calling members of the diplomatic community and all stakeholders to actively participate in the event.