Addis Ababa, November 4, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia is hosting the first-ever International Hydromet Conference in Addis Ababa whick opened this morning in the presence of the FDRE Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Temesgen Truneh
Organized by the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE), the conference is being held under the theme “Ethiopian Green Legacy Initiative: The imperative for Water Resources Management in the Region”.
Opening the Conference, Mr. Temesgen underscored that the Green Legacy Initiative played a vital role in restoring water bodies and increasing ground water recharging, in addition to improving forest cover and protecting soil erosion.
“Over the past six years, the program has led to the planting of 40 billion seedlings, positively impacting the environment, bolstering food security, and creating jobs. This initiative has also contributed significantly to water resource sustainability,” Temesgen said.
He pointed out the need to establish reliable early warning system to mitigate climate change.
The Ministry of Water and Energy’s leadership in organizing the conference is commendable, exemplifying cooperation and commitment to sustainable development, Temesgen noted.
Habtamu Itefa, Minister of Water and Energy, on his part, underlined that Green Legacy Initiative has a positive spillover effect to neighboring countries in improving water resources in quantity and quality as well, since most rivers of Ethiopia flow out of the country.
Besides to the Green legacy Initiative, modernizing the hydrometeorological infrastructure is crucial to tackle climate change, he underscored.
On the other hand, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Girma Amente said that the Green Legacy helped the country to promote green culture.
He underlined that thousands of farmers are benefiting from the initiative.
The conference, which is being attended by Ministers, Ambassadors, and local and foreign scientists and officials, will last for two days.